Maternal Mortality in India

Why in News?

A Lancet study (2026) highlights India’s challenge in meeting the SDG target of reducing Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR.

• Definition – Maternal mortality is the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination, resulting from pregnancy-related causes​​​​​​.
• Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) – It is the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births during a given period.
• SDG Target – Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 70 deaths per 1 lakh live births by 2030.
• India’s Trend
• MMR Progress – MMR fell from 508 in 1990 to 116 in 2023 (Lancet estimate); India recorded 24,700 maternal deaths in 2023.
• Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021–23 – Reports a lower MMR of 88 per 100,000 live births, showing variation between datasets.
• Causes – Haemorrhage & Hypertensive disorders (40% of deaths), Covid 19 setback (2020 21) disrupted healthcare services, data discrepancies & wide demographic diversity.
• State-Level Challenges
  • Assam – MMR dropped from 215 to 110 (2015–2023).
  • Uttar Pradesh – MMR fell from 197 to 141, but is still above the national average.
  • Whereas the southern states are closer to achieving the SDG target.
  • National average pulled down by high burden states.
• Targeted action to reduce MMR – By strengthening primary healthcare systems, with a focus on maternal and child health.
• When child mortality declines, fertility rates tend to decrease as well - lower fertility, in turn, contributes to a reduction in maternal mortality.
• Global Context – 100 countries have already met the SDG target of below-70 MMR by 2023.
• India is in the 100–140 range, along with Ethiopia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and DRC.
• Top improver – Despite challenges, India has been among the top improvers since 1990, alongside Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Morocco, Nepal, and Rwanda.
• Comparisons caution – India’s large birth numbers (23.22 million in 2023) make direct comparison with smaller countries, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (565 per lakh) or Nigeria.

India ranks 2^nd globally in maternal deaths, recording between 19,000 and 24,700 deaths annually, which represents about 10% of the worldwide total. (Nigeria holds the highest share.)

References

1. Indian Express | MMR
2. Sansad | MMR
3. World Population Review | MMR