Maternal mortality remains a critical global health challenge.
This infographic highlights the 10 countries with the highest maternal mortality rates, where hundreds of women die per 100,000 live births from largely preventable causes.
The figures illustrate stark global disparities: the highest‑risk countries are almost entirely in sub‑Saharan Africa and conflict‑affected regions, where limited access to quality healthcare, shortages of skilled birth attendants, infrastructure challenges, and socioeconomic inequalities contribute to very high maternal mortality ratios.
The disparities reflect deeper structural inequalities across health systems, infrastructure, and socioeconomic conditions.
Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is a key health indicator reflecting the number of women who die per 100,000 live births from pregnancy‑related causes. Most maternal deaths are preventable with timely access to skilled care before, during, and after childbirth. The global average MMR (not shown here) is hundreds of times lower in high‑income nations, highlighting gaps in healthcare equity worldwide.
Maternal mortality is not only a clinical issue—it is a key indicator of health system performance and equity.
