In 2008, some 360,000 women across the world died during pregnancy or childbirth, or in the days which followed.

Practically all maternal deaths (99%) occur in Southern countries. In the developed countries maternal mortality stood at 14 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2008, while the average was 290 per 100,000 in developing countries, and as many as 1,000 deaths per 100,000 births in some parts of Africa.

A one in ten risk of maternal death in some African countries

Most maternal deaths are due to haemorrhage (25%) or infections associated with childbirth or abortion in unhygienic conditions (15% and 13% respectively). In 20% of cases, death is caused by existing pathologies such as malaria, AIDS, hepatitis, anaemia or genital mutilation, which are aggravated by pregnancy or increase the risk of complications. In countries where women have large families, as in Africa, the risks accumulate from one pregnancy to the next, to the point where women in some regions run a one in ten risk of maternal death.

Avoidable deaths

Most of these deaths are due to the absence of antenatal follow-up and a lack of facilities for emergency care during delivery. 20% of women receive no antenatal care and 37% are not attended by skilled health personnel during delivery. But economic and social factors are also involved: women who are poorly educated and have little decision-making power rarely make use of emergency healthcare services.