South Africa—Maternal Deaths
Category: HealthSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #35 of 194Updated April 2026
Latest Value
1,395
2023
YoY Change
-9.3%
2022 → 2023
Global Rank
#35
of 194 countries
Maximum
3,378
2008
Minimum
1,395
2023
CAGR
-1.5%
39 years
Last
1,395
Previous
1,538
Highest
3,378
Lowest
1,395
Unit
Number
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's maternal deaths was 1,395 in 2023, ranking #35 out of 194 countries. This represents a -9.3% change from 2022. Over the past 39 years, the highest recorded value was 3,378 (2008) and the lowest was 1,395 (2023). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,395 | -9.3% |
| 2022 | 1,538 | -32.4% |
| 2021 | 2,276 | +62.7% |
| 2020 | 1,398 | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 1,402 | -5.5% |
| 2018 | 1,484 | -3.9% |
| 2017 | 1,544 | -5.8% |
| 2016 | 1,638 | -8.6% |
| 2015 | 1,792 | -8.7% |
| 2014 | 1,964 | -8.7% |
| 2013 | 2,152 | -6.7% |
| 2012 | 2,305 | -2.5% |
| 2011 | 2,364 | -9.9% |
| 2010 | 2,624 | -7.6% |
| 2009 | 2,841 | -15.9% |
| 2008 | 3,378 | +6.5% |
| 2007 | 3,172 | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 3,280 | +4.6% |
| 2005 | 3,135 | +11.7% |
| 2004 | 2,808 | +10.5% |
| 2003 | 2,541 | +12.3% |
| 2002 | 2,263 | +16.4% |
| 2001 | 1,945 | +9.4% |
| 2000 | 1,777 | +10.8% |
| 1999 | 1,604 | -1.7% |
| 1998 | 1,631 | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 1,664 | -1.3% |
| 1996 | 1,685 | +18.6% |
| 1995 | 1,421 | -1.6% |
| 1994 | 1,444 | -13.7% |
| 1993 | 1,672 | -4.3% |
| 1992 | 1,748 | -7.8% |
| 1991 | 1,897 | -4.5% |
| 1990 | 1,987 | -7.4% |
| 1989 | 2,145 | -5.3% |
| 1988 | 2,264 | -4.9% |
| 1987 | 2,382 | -1.9% |
| 1986 | 2,428 | -2.7% |
| 1985 | 2,496 |
Top Countries — Maternal Deaths
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 74,559 | 2023 |
| 2 | India | 18,687 | 2023 |
| 3 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 18,661 | 2023 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 10,669 | 2023 |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 8,003 | 2023 |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 7,646 | 2023 |
| 7 | Tanzania | 6,472 | 2023 |
| 8 | Indonesia | 6,298 | 2023 |
| 9 | Chad | 6,123 | 2023 |
| 10 | Kenya | 5,682 | 2023 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Maternal Deaths — WHO Global Health Observatory.
Unit
Number