Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Achieve Universal Primary Education Promote gender equality and empower women Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases Environmental sustainability Build a global partnership for development

Goal 5: improve maternal health

goal 5 iconGoal 5: improve maternal health

Goal 5 is to reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio. Improvements in maternal health are tightly linked with preventing infant mortality and protecting family health overall. Maternal mortality could significantly be reduced by expanding reproductive health services before, during and after pregnancy and making life-saving interventions.

In our world today:

  • Over half a million women and girls die each year from complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
  • In sub-Saharan Africa, where almost half of the world’s maternal deaths occur, only 46% of deliveries receive skilled care.
  • More than 50 million women suffer from poor reproductive health and serious pregnancy-related illness and disability.

Progress on Goal 5:

  • The proportion of births attended by skilled health care personnel has increased significantly in Northern Africa and Eastern and South-Eastern Asia. 

Mother with Child

Photo by Kirk Pflaum

 back to top