Global Maternal Mortality Has Dropped, But 3 Regions Lag Behind UN Target
Every two minutes, a woman dies from preventable pregnancy complications somewhere in the world.
That's roughly 800 women daily—mothers, daughters, sisters who won't come home from what should be one of life's most joyful moments.
Yet hidden within this tragedy is one of global health's most remarkable success stories.
The Progress We've Made (by 2023)
The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) tracks pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births—a key indicator of health equity and how well societies protect women. Since 2000, the world has made progress:
Three WHO regions have already met the UN's 2030 target of ≤70 deaths per 100,000 births:
- Americas: 59 deaths (down 17% since 2000)
- Europe: 11 deaths (down 55% since 2000)
- Western Pacific: 35 deaths (down 51% since 2000)
Two regions are moving closer:
- South-East Asia: 96 deaths (down 74% since 2000)
- Eastern Mediterranean: 167 deaths (down 56% since 2000)
One region still faces critical challenges:
- Africa: 442 deaths (down 39% since 2000)
Moving towards 2030
With only 6 years left until the 2030 deadline, Africa would need to accelerate its progress by 5 times the current rate to meet the global target.
Since 2000, Africa has been reducing maternal deaths by about 12 per 100,000 births annually. To reach the target by 2030, that rate needs to jump to 62 per 100,000 births per year. (What a leap it will require!)
South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions also need to double their current pace of improvement, roughly.
The Path Forward
The data across regions shows that improvement is possible. South-East Asia cut its maternal death rate by 74% in just 23 years. Europe reduced deaths by more than half. These aren't accidents—they're the result of sustained investment in healthcare systems, skilled healthcare workers, emergency obstetric care, and quality antenatal services, ensuring no woman faces childbirth alone.
If you're a woman or know someone who is:
- Attend all antenatal care appointments during pregnancy—early detection saves lives
- Know the warning signs: severe headaches, heavy bleeding, high fever, difficulty breathing
- Plan your birth with skilled healthcare providers, not just traditional attendants
- Don't delay seeking help if something feels wrong—maternal instincts matter
- Support organisations working on maternal health globally
The lines on this chart should remind us of millions of women who die yearly on the journey to birthing a precious baby.
As John Wilmoth, Director of the UN Population Division, puts it: "Reducing maternal mortality remains one of the most pressing global health challenges. Ending preventable maternal deaths and providing universal access to quality maternal health care require sustained national and international efforts and unwavering commitments, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every mother, everywhere, survives childbirth, so that she and her children can thrive."