Introduction
Maternal and child mortality is one of the clearest tests of how well a health system protects women and newborns. Outcomes in this area reflect factors such as access to timely care, socioeconomic conditions, and the capacity of hospitals and community health services.
In Germany, these indicators show long-term improvement but also significant variation across regions and population groups. Using WHO mortality statistics, this analysis tracks maternal deaths, infant and under-five mortality, and neonatal outcomes to highlight the main trends and where health risks remain.
Maternal Mortality – Overall Picture
In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Germany stood at 4 deaths per 100,000 live births (0 y/y), summarising the risk of women dying from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy, childbirth, or within the post-partum period. This development indicates relative stability in maternal mortality, with modest year-to-year variation around a broadly unchanged risk level.
Number of Maternal Deaths
While ratios summarise risk, absolute numbers are important for understanding the scale of the challenge facing hospitals, public health agencies, and communities.
In 2023, Germany recorded approximately 26 maternal deaths (-3 y/y), capturing all reported deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination, irrespective of the pregnancy duration or site. This pattern illustrates a reduction in the absolute number of maternal deaths, suggesting improvements in referral pathways, quality of emergency obstetric care, and better management of underlying conditions such as hypertension or diabetes.
Infant Mortality
The infant mortality rate measures the probability that a child dies before reaching one year of age per 1,000 live births.
In 2023, the infant mortality rate in Germany amounted to 3.1 deaths per 1,000 live births (0 y/y). This evolution suggests that infant mortality has plateaued, with limited additional gains without targeted interventions in high-risk communities.
Under-Five Mortality
Under-five mortality captures the probability that a child dies before age five per 1,000 live births, integrating risks across infancy and early childhood.
In 2023, the under-five mortality rate in Germany stood at 3.7 deaths per 1,000 live births (0 y/y). This trajectory indicates relative stability at historically low levels, with incremental improvements depending on targeted child-health programmes and social policies.
Neonatal Mortality
Neonatal mortality focuses on deaths within the first 28 days of life, a period when complications of pregnancy and childbirth, preterm birth, and infections are most critical.
In 2023, Germany recorded 1,642 neonatal deaths (-20 y/y), reflecting outcomes in delivery rooms, neonatal intensive care units, and early postnatal support. This pattern demonstrates encouraging progress in newborn care, with significant reductions in deaths through improved neonatal intensive care and better management of preterm births.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to WHO data, the latest maternal mortality ratio in Germany is around 4 deaths per 100,000 live births. For comparison, here are maternal mortality ratios in other countries:
- Germany: 4 deaths per 100,000 live births
- Norway: 4 deaths per 100,000 live births
- Japan: 4 deaths per 100,000 live births
- Sweden: 4 deaths per 100,000 live births
Maternal and neonatal deaths are typically linked to a combination of medical and social factors. Key medical drivers include hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, haemorrhage, thromboembolism, and complications of pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Social determinants—such as income, education, housing conditions, and access to healthcare services—strongly influence whether women receive timely antenatal care, safe delivery services, and high-quality postnatal follow-up.
Over the past decades, infant and under-five mortality rates have fallen markedly in most countries thanks to widespread vaccination, improved neonatal care, better management of respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases, and stronger injury-prevention measures. Key factors driving progress include advances in medical technology, improved access to healthcare services, and better nutrition. However, significant disparities persist both within and between countries, with higher rates often observed in disadvantaged communities and lower-income regions.
Maternal and Child Mortality in Other Countries
Compare maternal and child mortality in Germany with other countries to see how outcomes vary across regions, income levels, and health systems.
Methodology and Data Sources
All charts and indicators are based on WHO mortality statistics, including datasets on the number of maternal deaths, maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births, number of neonatal deaths, infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births, and under-five mortality rate per 1,000 live births. These data are compiled from national civil registration and vital statistics systems, household surveys, and model-based estimates where needed, and are updated periodically to ensure consistency across countries and over time. Values may be revised as new information becomes available, so all charts on this page update automatically when WHO releases new estimates for Germany and other countries.