The maternal death rate in the UK has risen by 20% over 14 years, according to a report from MBRRACE-UK, a research project led by the University of Oxford. This increase comes despite a Conservative pledge in 2015 to halve maternal deaths by 2030, later brought forward to 2025 by then-Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
The report shows that between 2009-11 and 2022-24, the maternal mortality rate increased by 20%. Direct deaths linked to pregnancy, such as those from bleeding, blood clots, and pre-eclampsia, rose by 52%, while indirect deaths from pre-existing conditions remained largely unchanged. Blood clots were the leading cause of death during pregnancy or up to six weeks after.
Health leaders and campaigners described the rise as an “absolute tragedy”. Dr Kim Thomas, chief executive of the Birth Trauma Association, said it was “shocking” that deaths from treatable conditions were increasing, indicating that “something has gone badly wrong in maternity care”. Professor Marian Knight, MBRRACE-UK programme lead, noted that “pressures on maternity services have not eased”.
The report also highlights stark inequalities. Black women face a nearly threefold higher death rate than white women, while Asian women also have a higher risk. Women in the most deprived areas are nearly twice as likely to die as those in the least deprived areas, and women aged 35 or above are nearly twice as likely to die as those aged 25-29.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said maternity services are under “extreme pressure”. Clare Livingstone, head of professional policy at the RCM, stated: “Many deaths are avoidable and the lack of progress over more than a decade is unacceptable. Unacceptable inequalities continue to blight maternity care.” She called for proper investment and addressing workforce shortages to prevent further harm.
