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According to the United Nations report titled "Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000–2023," India recorded approximately 19,000 maternal deaths in 2023, averaging 52 fatalities per day.

Highlights of the Report

The report "Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000-2023" was prepared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, UN Population Fund, World Bank and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (population division).

Nigeria had the highest number of maternal deaths, accounting for 28.7% of all global maternal deaths in 2023, with about 75,000 deaths. India tied with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for second place, each with 19,000 deaths, while Pakistan came fourth with 11,000 deaths. Together, these four countries caused almost half of all maternal deaths worldwide in 2023.

China, which has a population similar to India’s, reported only 1,400 maternal deaths in 2023. This shows that India still struggles with high maternal mortality rates compared to other large countries.

What Is Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)?

The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) measures how many women die out of every 100,000 live births due to pregnancy or childbirth-related issues. In 2000, India’s MMR was 362 , but by 2023, it dropped to 80 , showing a 78% decline over 23 years. Meanwhile, China’s MMR fell from 56 in 2000 to just 16 in 2023 , marking a 70% drop.

Globally, maternal deaths declined by 40% between 2000 and 2023 , due to better healthcare access. However, progress slowed after 2016. In 2023, about 260,000 women died from pregnancy or childbirth complications—around one death every two minutes.

Maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, excluding accidental or incidental causes.

Why Are Women Still Dying?

Most maternal deaths happen because of postpartum hemorrhage (heavy bleeding after childbirth). Other causes include:

High blood pressure during pregnancy
Infections during or after childbirth
Unsafe abortions

Many of these problems are preventable if women have access to good healthcare. But in low-income countries like India, healthcare systems often lack resources, trained staff, and essential medicines.

Public health centers (PHCs and CHCs) can handle normal deliveries well. However, they struggle to manage complicated pregnancies because they don’t have enough doctors or equipment.

In southern states, where people earn more money and can afford private hospitals, maternal mortality rates improved. But in poorer northern states, many women still die because they cannot access affordable emergency care.

Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Deaths

The report highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic made things worse for pregnant women. In 2021, when the second wave hit hardest, about 40,000 additional women died globally due to pregnancy or childbirth complications. That year, total maternal deaths rose to 322,000, up from 282,000 in 2020.

What Can Be Done?

Experts say improving maternal health requires:

Better funding for healthcare : Many countries face budget cuts, forcing them to shut down clinics and lay off workers. Governments need to invest more in healthcare.
Training more healthcare workers : More doctors, nurses, and midwives are needed, especially in rural areas.
Ensuring medicine supply chains stay strong : Life-saving drugs for treating hemorrhage, high blood pressure, and infections must always be available.
Focusing on education : Teaching women about family planning and safe pregnancy practices can reduce risks.
Improving emergency care : Hospitals must provide round-the-clock services for pregnant women facing complications.