India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has declined by 86 per cent since 1990, almost double the global average reduction of 48 per cent—the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday, underscoring significant progress in maternal healthcare.
According to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) data for 2021–23, India’s MMR now stands at 88 per one lakh live births, ministry sources said. The figure reflects continued improvements in ensuring safer pregnancies and childbirth across the country.
The ministry’s statement came in response to a study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women’s Health, which estimated India’s maternal deaths at 24,700 in 2023. The study pegged the country’s MMR at 116 per one lakh live births, indicating a nearly 80 per cent reduction from 508 in 1990.
The research, led by experts from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington along with global collaborators, noted that while maternal deaths have steadily declined over the past three decades, the pace of progress has slowed in recent years and remains uneven across regions.
The findings form part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, which provides a comprehensive assessment of maternal mortality trends across 204 countries and territories.
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Highlighting India’s achievements, the Health Ministry said, “Our progress in maternal health is globally recognised and according to the latest United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN-MMEIG) Report, India has achieved an 86 per cent reduction in MMR since 1990, which far exceeds the global average of 48 per cent. This accomplishment underscores India’s commitment to meeting Sustainable Development Goals benchmark of reducing MMR below 70 by 2030.”
Globally, the study estimated around 2.4 lakh maternal deaths in 2023, translating to an MMR of 190.5 per one lakh live births. This marks a decline of more than one-third from 321 maternal deaths per one lakh live births recorded in 1990.
Researchers attributed the reduction to improved access to antenatal care, safer delivery services, emergency obstetric care, and post-partum follow-up. However, they cautioned that countries with higher burdens require sustained interventions to maintain progress.
The study also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted maternal health gains. “Before widespread vaccination, during 2020-2021, COVID-19 caused temporary increases in maternal deaths in regions and locations with a high COVID-19 mortality,” the researchers said.
With less than five years remaining to meet the Sustainable Development Goals target, the study emphasised the need for renewed global action, stronger health systems, and sustained investment to accelerate progress and reduce maternal mortality further.
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