Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) - Country Ranking - Asia

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. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP measured using purchasing power parities (PPPs).

Source: WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division. Trends in Maternal Mortality: 2000 to 2017. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2019

See also: Thematic map, Time series comparison

Find indicator:
Rank Country Value Year
1 Afghanistan 638.00 2017
2 Myanmar 250.00 2017
3 Nepal 186.00 2017
4 Lao PDR 185.00 2017
5 Bhutan 183.00 2017
6 Indonesia 177.00 2017
7 Bangladesh 173.00 2017
8 Yemen 164.00 2017
9 Cambodia 160.00 2017
10 India 145.00 2017
11 Timor-Leste 142.00 2017
12 Pakistan 140.00 2017
13 Philippines 121.00 2017
14 Dem. People's Rep. Korea 89.00 2017
15 Iraq 79.00 2017
16 Kyrgyz Republic 60.00 2017
17 Jordan 46.00 2017
18 Mongolia 45.00 2017
19 Vietnam 43.00 2017
20 Thailand 37.00 2017
21 Sri Lanka 36.00 2017
22 Syrian Arab Republic 31.00 2017
22 Brunei 31.00 2017
24 China 29.00 2017
24 Malaysia 29.00 2017
24 Lebanon 29.00 2017
24 Uzbekistan 29.00 2017
28 Armenia 26.00 2017
28 Azerbaijan 26.00 2017
30 Georgia 25.00 2017
31 Oman 19.00 2017
32 Russia 17.00 2017
32 Saudi Arabia 17.00 2017
32 Turkey 17.00 2017
32 Tajikistan 17.00 2017
36 Iran 16.00 2017
37 Bahrain 14.00 2017
38 Kuwait 12.00 2017
39 Korea 11.00 2017
40 Kazakhstan 10.00 2017
41 Qatar 9.00 2017
42 Singapore 8.00 2017
43 Turkmenistan 7.00 2017
44 Japan 5.00 2017
45 Israel 3.00 2017
45 United Arab Emirates 3.00 2017

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Limitations and Exceptions: The methodology differs from that used for previous estimates, so data should not be compared historically. 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.

Original Source Notes: Estimates of maternal mortality are presented along with upper and lower limits of intervals (see footnote) designed to depict the uncertainty of estimates. The intervals are the product of a detailed probabilistic evaluation of the uncertainty attributa

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 is 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 estimates are based on an exercise by the Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) which consists of World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Bank, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and include country-level time series data. For countries without complete registration data but with other types of data and for countries with no data, maternal mortality is estimated with a regression model using available national maternal mortality data and socioeconomic information.

Aggregation method: Weighted average

Periodicity: Annual

General Comments: This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator for monitoring maternal health.