India's Maternal Mortality Ratio sees massive 86% decline since 1990

India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has fallen to nearly 87 per one lakh live births, marking an 86% decline since 1990. This achievement, outpacing the global average, puts India on track for its SDG target of below 70 by 2030.

India's Remarkable Decline in Maternal Mortality

India's maternal health journey over the last three decades is emerging as one of the most significant public health transformations globally, officials said on Friday, noting that the country's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has declined to nearly 87 maternal deaths per one lakh live births as per the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality (2022-24), reflecting India's sustained progress in improving maternal survival.

Global Recognition and Progress Towards SDG

This achievement has also been acknowledged globally through the latest estimates released by the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (UN-MMEIG), which indicate that India's MMR has reduced from 560 per lakh live births in 1990 to nearly 80 per lakh live births in 2023, the officials said. This represents an impressive 86% decline, substantially higher than the global average reduction of 48% during the same period. India has already achieved the National Health Policy target of reducing MMR below 100 and is steadily progressing towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing MMR to below 70 by 2030. Notably, six States, i.e. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat have already achieved the SDG target level of MMR below 70.

Historically high-burden States such as Odisha, Assam, and Chhattisgarh have recorded some of the sharpest declines in maternal mortality, reflecting focused investments in strengthening maternal healthcare systems, referral services, skilled birth attendance, and high-risk pregnancy management in priority geographies.

Key Drivers of Success

Officials said that this progress reflects sustained political commitment, strengthened primary healthcare systems, digital innovations, expanded institutional delivery services, and large-scale community mobilisation under the National Health Mission. Flagship programmes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), Poshan Abhiyaan, Midwifery-Led Care Units (MLCUs), and Ayushman Bharat have collectively strengthened maternal and newborn healthcare services across the country, they said. (ANI

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