Belize - Maternal mortality ratio (national estimate, per 100,000 live births)

The value for Maternal mortality ratio (national estimate, per 100,000 live births) in Belize was 13.00 as of 2016. As the graph below shows, over the past 30 years this indicator reached a maximum value of 133.00 in 2005 and a minimum value of 0.00 in 1996.

Definition: Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births.

Source: UNICEF, State of the World's Children, Childinfo, and Demographic and Health Surveys.

See also:

Year Value
1986 62.00
1987 15.00
1989 45.00
1990 45.00
1991 59.00
1995 14.00
1996 0.00
1997 42.00
1998 126.00
1999 28.00
2000 68.00
2001 40.00
2002 80.00
2003 13.00
2004 40.00
2005 133.00
2006 40.00
2007 27.00
2008 27.00
2009 53.00
2010 53.00
2011 0.00
2012 26.00
2013 0.00
2014 0.00
2015 0.00
2016 13.00

Limitations and Exceptions: Maternal mortality ratios are generally of unknown reliability, as are many other cause-specific mortality indicators. The ratios cannot be assumed to provide an exact estimate of maternal mortality.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Reproductive health is a state of physical and mental well-being in relation to the reproductive system and its functions and processes. Means of achieving reproductive health include education and services during pregnancy and childbirth, safe and effective contraception, and prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. Maternal mortality ratios are generally of unknown reliability, as are many other cause-specific mortality indicators. Household surveys such as Demographic and Health Surveys attempt to measure maternal mortality by asking respondents about survivorship of sisters. The main disadvantage of this method is that the estimates of maternal mortality that it produces pertain to any time within the past few years before the survey, making them unsuitable for monitoring recent changes or observing the impact of interventions. In addition, measurement of maternal mortality is subject to many types of errors. Even in high-income countries with reliable vital registration systems, misclassification of maternal deaths has been found to lead to serious underestimation. The national estimates of maternal mortality ratios are based on national surveys, vital registration records, and surveillance data or are derived from community and hospital records.

Periodicity: Annual

Classification

Topic: Health Indicators

Sub-Topic: Reproductive health