Despite a significant 40% global drop in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2023, the United Nations warns that funding cuts now threaten to undo years of progress, especially in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
A new UN report released on World Health Day paints a mixed picture of global maternal health. While the decline in maternal mortality is a major milestone, the pace of progress is slowing dangerously.
The Trends in Maternal Mortality report—produced by WHO and other UN agencies—estimates that 260,000 women died from pregnancy or childbirth complications in 2023 alone. That amounts to one maternal death every two minutes.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected, accounting for about 70% of global maternal deaths. Countries affected by conflict and instability—including Chad, Nigeria, and Somalia—recorded the highest risk levels.
Although maternal mortality rates fell significantly over the past two decades, the decline has slowed markedly since 2016. Aid cuts are now reversing vital gains in many fragile and low-income countries.
“While this report shows glimmers of hope, the data also highlights how dangerous pregnancy still is in much of the world today,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“In addition to ensuring access to quality maternity care, it will be critical to strengthen the underlying health and reproductive rights of women and girls.”
The report reveals that nearly two-thirds of maternal deaths now occur in fragile and conflict-affected settings. In such areas, a 15-year-old girl faces a 1 in 51 lifetime risk of dying from a maternal cause—compared to 1 in 593 in more stable nations.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the crisis, contributing to an estimated 40,000 additional maternal deaths in 2021, mostly due to direct complications and disrupted healthcare services.
The current global maternal mortality ratio stands at 197 deaths per 100,000 live births—far above the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of fewer than 70 by 2030. UN agencies warn that time is running out.
“Global funding cuts to health services are putting more pregnant women at risk,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The world must urgently invest in midwives, nurses, and community health workers to ensure every mother and baby has a chance to survive and thrive.”
The report calls for renewed investment in health infrastructure and the maternal health workforce, particularly in humanitarian settings where access to care is already fragile.
Without urgent action and increased support from governments and donors, the UN warns that maternal deaths could rise again—putting millions of women and newborns at risk.