The United Nations has raised alarms that recent cuts in global health aid could undo decades of progress in reducing maternal deaths, despite a new report showing that fewer women are dying during pregnancy and childbirth compared to the early 2000s.
Released on World Health Day, the UN’s report revealed that maternal deaths globally decreased by 40% between 2000 and 2023, thanks to improved access to essential health services. However, progress has significantly slowed since 2016, with an estimated 260,000 women dying from pregnancy-related causes in 2023 — roughly one every two minutes.
The report, titled Trends in Maternal Mortality, was jointly published by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Bank. It raised concerns about severe funding cuts, which are already forcing some countries to reduce services for pregnant women, newborns, and children.
“While this report shows glimmers of hope, the data also highlights how dangerous pregnancy still is in much of the world today, despite the fact that solutions exist to prevent and treat the complications that cause the vast majority of maternal deaths,” said Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO. He emphasized that alongside ensuring access to quality maternity care, it is essential to strengthen the health and reproductive rights of women and girls to improve their chances of healthy outcomes during pregnancy and beyond.
The report also highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal survival. In 2021, an additional 40,000 women died due to pregnancy or childbirth, raising the total to 322,000 from 282,000 the previous year. This increase was linked not only to direct complications caused by COVID-19 but also to widespread disruptions in maternity services.
The findings underscore the critical need for uninterrupted access to maternity care, especially during pandemics and other emergencies. Pregnant women require reliable access to routine check-ups, as well as immediate care in case of complications.
