Maternal deaths in Australia 2018-2020
Publication
Release Date:
Topic: Mothers & babies
Citation
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2023) Maternal deaths in Australia 2018-2020, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 9 June 2026.
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In Australia, where childbirth is safe for most women, maternal death is rare. This in-depth triennial report will provide data on maternal deaths in Australia by causes of death, timing of death and selected characteristics of the women who died. The maternal mortality ratio in Australia in 2018–2020 was 5.6 deaths per 100,000 women giving birth, which is the lowest ratio recorded since 1973–1975 and is among the lowest ratios in the world. The most common causes of maternal death were cardiovascular disease, thromboembolism and sepsis.
- ISBN: 978-1-922802-75-0
- Cat. no: PER 121
- Pages: 58
Findings from this report:
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In 2018–2020, there were 50 maternal deaths, 31 directly and 19 indirectly related to the pregnancy
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Maternal death was more common in women who had given birth 4 times or more, and those aged 35 and over
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In 2018–2020, the maternal mortality ratio for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women was 9.4
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1 in 3 maternal deaths occurred during pregnancy (35% between 2006 and 2020)