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Published on: February 3, 2026
New estimates and trends regarding unsafe abortion mortality
Elisabeth Ahman1, Iqbal H Shah
1Preventing Unsafe Abortion, Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Summary
Maternal deaths from unsafe abortion have decreased globally since 1990. However, unsafe abortion remains a significant cause of maternal mortality, particularly in Africa, highlighting the need for continued efforts to improve maternal health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Reproductive Health
- Global Health
Background:
- Maternal mortality estimates related to unsafe abortion require re-evaluation.
- Previous data from 1990-2008 necessitates updated analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present current estimates of mortality linked to unsafe abortion.
- To analyze trends in unsafe abortion mortality within updated maternal mortality frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an extensive search of databases and websites for country- and region-specific unsafe abortion data.
- Recalculated earlier estimates (1990-2003) to align with new maternal mortality data.
- Aggregated data to provide subregional, regional, and global figures for 2008.
Main Results:
- Unsafe abortions caused an estimated 47,000 maternal deaths in 2008, a decrease from 69,000 in 1990.
- The global unsafe abortion mortality ratio declined from 50 in 1990 to 30 in 2008.
- Africa bears the highest burden of unsafe abortion mortality.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in reducing maternal deaths from unsafe abortion.
- Unsafe abortion still accounts for 1 in 8 global maternal deaths and 1 in 5 in Eastern Africa.
- Preventing these deaths is crucial for achieving Millennium Development Goal 5 on maternal health.
