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U.S. Maternal Mortality Fell in 2024 to Lowest Level Since 2018, CDC Says

Large racial and age gaps persist, with Black and older women facing far higher risks.

FILE - A pregnant woman stands for a portrait in Dallas, May 18, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
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Overview

  • The CDC/NCHS counted 649 maternal deaths in 2024, a rate of 17.9 per 100,000 live births, down from 669 deaths and a rate of 18.6 in 2023.
  • Preliminary surveillance for 2025 points to further improvement, but researchers stress the provisional numbers can change after record reviews.
  • Black women had a mortality rate of 44.8 per 100,000—about three times the white rate of 14.2—with Hispanic at 12.1 and Asian at 18.1.
  • Risk rose sharply with age, reaching 62.3 deaths per 100,000 for women 40 and older versus 16.5 for ages 25–39 and 13.7 for those under 25.
  • The CDC definition covers deaths during pregnancy through 42 days after, leading causes include hemorrhage, clots, and infections, and more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are considered preventable as declines follow the waning impact of COVID-19.