Maternal mortality ratio (national estimate, per 100,000 live births) - Country Ranking - Central America & the Caribbean

Definition: Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births.

Source: UNICEF, State of the World's Children, Childinfo, and Demographic and Health Surveys.

See also: Thematic map, Time series comparison

Find indicator:
Rank Country Value Year
1 Haiti 732.00 2017
2 Guatemala 107.00 2018
3 Dominican Republic 97.00 2018
4 St. Lucia 90.00 2014
5 Jamaica 74.00 2014
6 Honduras 71.00 2014
7 Panama 47.00 2016
8 Cuba 38.00 2017
9 Nicaragua 34.00 2017
10 Barbados 32.00 2013
11 Trinidad and Tobago 30.00 2012
12 Costa Rica 24.00 2018
13 Puerto Rico 22.00 2016
14 El Salvador 14.00 2012
15 Belize 13.00 2016
16 Grenada 0.00 2017
16 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0.00 2016

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Limitations and Exceptions: Maternal mortality ratios are generally of unknown reliability, as are many other cause-specific mortality indicators. The ratios cannot be assumed to provide an exact estimate of maternal mortality.

Statistical Concept and Methodology: Reproductive health is a state of physical and mental well-being in relation to the reproductive system and its functions and processes. Means of achieving reproductive health include education and services during pregnancy and childbirth, safe and effective contraception, and prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. Maternal mortality ratios are generally of unknown reliability, as are many other cause-specific mortality indicators. Household surveys such as Demographic and Health Surveys attempt to measure maternal mortality by asking respondents about survivorship of sisters. The main disadvantage of this method is that the estimates of maternal mortality that it produces pertain to any time within the past few years before the survey, making them unsuitable for monitoring recent changes or observing the impact of interventions. In addition, measurement of maternal mortality is subject to many types of errors. Even in high-income countries with reliable vital registration systems, misclassification of maternal deaths has been found to lead to serious underestimation. The national estimates of maternal mortality ratios are based on national surveys, vital registration records, and surveillance data or are derived from community and hospital records.

Periodicity: Annual