Maternal mortality: Levels and trends 2000 to 2017

Overview

The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN MMEIG) – comprising WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division (UNPD) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs – has collaborated with external technical experts on a new round of estimates for 2000–2017. To provide increasingly accurate maternal mortality ration (MMR) estimates, the previous estimation methods have been refined to optimize use of country-level data. Consultations with countries were carried out during May and June 2019. This process generated additional data for inclusion in the maternal mortality estimation model, demonstrating widespread expansion of in-country efforts to monitor maternal mortality.

This report presents internationally comparable global, regional and country-level estimates and trends for maternal mortality between 2000 and 2017.