India recorded one of the highest maternal death totals globally in 2023, with an estimated 24,700 deaths, according to a new global analysis published in The Lancet.
The study found India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) at 116 per 100,000 live births, reflecting a sharp decline from 508 in 1990 but showing slower progress in recent years.
Globally, around 240,000 women died from maternal causes in 2023, with Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Pakistan also reporting high totals alongside India.
Hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and infections remain the leading causes of maternal deaths worldwide, highlighting gaps in emergency obstetric care.
Experts warn that India must accelerate efforts to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing MMR to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
