Data and statistics

Monitoring progress is challenging in light of weak health information systems in some countries. Problems such as underreporting and differences between official data and estimates made by international agencies are some of the contributing factors. WHO provides technical support to help countries improve the collection, reporting, analysis and use of indicators.

The maternal mortality rate (MMR) has decreased by almost half within the European Region between 2000 to 2015, from 33 to 16 deaths per 100 000 live births respectively. Nevertheless, the highest national maternal mortality rate in the Region is now estimated to be an appalling 25 times the lowest.
Women with “non-western” origin are at a 60% higher rate of maternal mortality
Specific reports prove that correct reporting of maternal deaths is still not in place in several countries.
Perinatal mortality is defined by WHO as weight specific (≥ 1000 g) fetal deaths and early neonatal deaths per 1000 births (live births + stillbirths). The perinatal mortality ratio differs significantly between countries, and the ratio is approximately 35 higher in some of the countries in the European Region. However, the perinatal mortality rate has decreased from 9.5 per 1000 live births in 2000, to fewer than 7.4 in 2013.
Several countries in the European Region still do not report following this definition, therefore official data may underestimate the full scale of the problem.