WHO Report on Maternal Mortality

March 12, 2025

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) released study revealing alarming statistics about maternal mortality. In 2020, about 287,000 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. This equates to roughly 800 deaths each day. The study marks critical issues surrounding maternal health and puts stress on the need for urgent action.

Leading Causes of Maternal Mortality

The study identified haemorrhage and hypertensive disorders as the primary causes of maternal deaths.
Haemorrhage accounted for 27% of these deaths, often occurring during or after childbirth.
Hypertensive disorders, including pre-eclampsia, contributed to 16%.
The distribution of these causes varied by region, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa and Western Asia.

Regional Disparities

Maternal mortality rates differ across regions. In Western Asia and Northern Africa, haemorrhage accounted for 29% of maternal deaths. In sub-Saharan Africa, this figure was 28%. Conversely, in Australia and New Zealand, it was only 15%. Hypertensive disorders were most prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean. These disparities highlight the varying healthcare challenges faced by different regions.

Postpartum Complications

The majority of maternal deaths from haemorrhage and sepsis occur during the postpartum period, which lasts up to 42 days after childbirth. In 2020, 111 countries reported at least one maternal death occurring within this timeframe. This indicates a critical need for improved postnatal care and monitoring.

Global Maternal Mortality Ratio

The global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stood at 223 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. This figure reflects stagnation in progress towards reducing maternal deaths since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015. The WHO warns that the world is not on track to meet the SDG target of reducing the MMR to below 70 by 2030.

Need for Enhanced Maternity Care

The study emphasises the importance of strengthening maternity care. Key areas include improving antenatal services to identify risks early and providing lifesaving interventions during emergencies. Enhanced postnatal care is also crucial for reducing complications and deaths.

WHO’s Global Roadmap

In 2024, the WHO launched a global roadmap for addressing postpartum haemorrhage. This roadmap was developed through consultations with over 130 experts. It outlines priorities for tackling this major cause of maternal death. The WHO continues to advocate for high-quality, respectful maternal health services throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

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