{"id":96115,"date":"2026-04-01T20:09:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=96115"},"modified":"2026-04-01T20:09:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T14:39:05","slug":"maternal-mortality-ratio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/maternal-mortality-ratio\/","title":{"rendered":"Maternal Mortality Ratio, Meaning, Trends, Causes, Initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)<\/b> is an important indicator of a country\u2019s healthcare system, particularly the quality of maternal health services. It reflects the risk associated with pregnancy and childbirth and highlights the effectiveness of healthcare delivery, nutrition, and social conditions affecting women.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Maternal Mortality Ratio?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Maternal Mortality Ratio<\/b> refers to the <\/span>number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in a given time period<\/b>. A <\/span>maternal death<\/b> is defined as the <\/span>death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy<\/b>, due to causes related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) Trends<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021-23, <\/span>India\u2019s Maternal Mortality Ratio <\/b>stands at <\/span>88 per lakh live births, <\/b>indicating continued progress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the latest <\/span>United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN-MMEIG) Report<\/b>, India has achieved an <\/span>86% reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio since 1990, which far exceeds the global average of 48%.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

India’s maternal mortality ratio of 2023 has <\/span>reduced by nearly 80 per cent since 1990 from 508 per one lakh livebirths to 116 per one lakh livebirths<\/b>, according to a new global analysis published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women’s Health journal.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, <\/span>despite this progress, India remains among the highest-burden countries globally, alongside nations like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Ethiopia. According to a major study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women\u2019s Health, India accounted for about 24,700 maternal deaths in 2023, which is roughly one in ten maternal deaths worldwide.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

At the global level, maternal mortality has declined significantly over the past few decades due to improvements in healthcare services, institutional deliveries, and access to skilled birth attendants. However, progress remains uneven across regions. Developing countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, account for the majority of maternal deaths. Under the Sustainable Development Goals, the global target is to reduce <\/span>MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030<\/b>. Achieving this target remains challenging due to inequalities in healthcare access, poverty, and gender disparities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maternal Mortality in India Causes<\/b><\/h2>\n

Maternal mortality in India is a multifaceted public health challenge arising from a complex interplay of medical, socio-economic, cultural, and systemic factors that collectively increase the risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Direct Medical Causes<\/b><\/h3>\n