MDG 5 Improve maternal health Maternal deaths are more likely in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
5a
An estimated 287,000 maternal deaths occurred worldwide in 2010, a 47 percent decline since 1990. All but 2,400 maternal
Maternal mortality ratio, modeled estimate (per 100,000 live births)
deaths were in developing countries. In 2010 more than half the
1,000
maternal deaths were in Sub-Saharan Africa and a quarter in South Asia. While the number of maternal deaths remains high in South
750 Sub-Saharan Africa
Asia, the region has made the most progress toward the Millen500
250
nium Development Goal target, reaching a maternal mortality ratio South Asia
Middle East & North Africa
of 220 per 100,000 live births in 2010, down from 620 in 1990, a
Latin America & Caribbean
reduction of 65 percent. The Middle East and North Africa and East East Asia & Pacific
0
Asia and Pacific have also reduced their maternal mortality ratios
Europe & Central Asia 1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015 target Source: UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group and World Development Indicators database.
more than 60 percent (figure 5a). These achievements are impressive, but progress in reducing maternal mortality ratios has been slow, far slower than the 75 per-
Progress toward reducing maternal mortality
5b
Countries making progress toward reducing maternal mortality (% of countries in region) 100
cent reduction between 1990 and 2015 imagined by the Millennium Development Goals. Few countries and no developing region on average will achieve this target. But the average annual rate of decline has accelerated, from 2.1 percent in 1990–95 to 4.3 per-
75
cent in 2005–10. This recent progress is closer to the average rate needed to be on track to achieve Millennium Development Goal 5
50
(figure 5b). 25
Better maternal health care and lower fertility can reduce 0
Developing East Asia countries & Pacific
Target met Moderately off track
Europe Latin Middle East & Central America & & North Asia Caribbean Africa Sufficient progress Seriously off track
South Sub-Saharan Asia Africa
Insufficient progress Insufficient data
maternal deaths. Family planning and access to contraception can help avoid the large number of births that are unwanted or mistimed. At least 200 million women want to use safe and effec-
Source: World Bank (2013) and World Bank MDG Data Dashboards (http://data.worldbank.org/mdgs).
tive family planning methods but are unable to do so (figure 5c; UNFPA 2014).
A wide range of needs
Unmet need for contraception, most recent year available, 2007–12 (% of married women ages 15–49) 40
Many health problems among pregnant women are prevent-
5c
Regional median
able or treatable through visits with trained health workers before childbirth. Good nutrition, vaccinations, and treating infections can improve outcomes for mother and child. Skilled attendants
30
at delivery and access to hospital treatments are essential for dealing with life-threatening emergencies such as severe bleed-
20
ing and hypertensive disorders. In South Asia and Sub- Saharan Africa many births are not attended by doctors, nurses, or trained
10
0
midwives. East Asia & Pacific (7 countries)
Europe & Central Asia
Latin America & Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
(4 countries)
(8 countries)
(2 countries)
South Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
(4 countries)
(26 countries)
Source: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, and World Development Indicators database.
6
World Development Indicators 2014
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