India's Maternal Mortality Ratio Continues Steady Decline

According to the data released by the Office of the Registrar General under the Ministry of Home Affairs, India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) for the year 2018-20 dropped to 97.

Many women die due to complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth or abortion. Maternal mortality is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy.

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India's Maternal Mortality Ratio

Maternal Mortality Ratio is the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births during the same time period.

The Maternal Mortality Ratio in India has steadily declined over the years. In 2014-16, the MMR was 130, dropped to 103 in 2017-19, and then MMR further declined to 93 in 2018-20.

India's maternal mortality ratio has dropped below 100 for the first time. Eight large states including Karnataka already achieved a target set by the United Nations as a mark of improved health outcomes for developing nations.

The UN Sustainable Development Goal target was to reach an MMR of 70 before 2030. Karnataka with an MMR of 69, Andhra Pradesh with an MMR of 45, Telangana with an MMR of 43, Kerala with an MMR of 19, Jharkhand with an MMR of 54, Gujarat with an MMR of 57, Maharashtra with an MMR of 33, and Tamil Nadu with an MMR of 54 are the states to reach the UN goal.

At the national level, India’s overall Maternal Mortality Ratio declined by 25 percent from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 in 2018-20.

The Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs published the estimates on fertility and mortality using the Sample Registration System (SRS).

SRS is a large-scale demographic survey which provides annual estimates of infant mortality rate, birth rate, death rate, and other fertility and mortality indicators.

The Ministry for Home Affairs released the Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality in India 2018-20 on November 28.