Kerala’s Progress Towards Reducing Maternal Mortality, SDG Indicator 3.1
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.1 aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Kerala has made commendable progress toward this target, as reflected in various health indicators under National Indicator Framework (NIF) 3.1. The following table and analysis highlight Kerala's current performance and data sources.
Performance of Kerala on SDG Indicator 3.1
|
Indicator (as per NIF 3.1) |
Kerala |
Source & Period |
|
3.1.1 Maternal Mortality Ratio (per 1,00,000 live births) |
30 |
SRS MMR bulletin 2021-23 |
|
3.1.2 Percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel (5-year period) |
100 |
NFHS (2019–20) |
|
3.1.3 Percentage of births attended by skilled health personnel (1-year period) |
99.88 |
HMIS (2023–24) |
|
3.1.4 Percentage of women aged 15–49 years with a live birth who received antenatal care (4 or more visits during last pregnancy; 5-year period) |
78.6 |
NFHS (2019–20) |
Key Highlights
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in Kerala stands at 30 per 1,00,000 live births, which is significantly lower than the SDG target of 70 and is among the lowest in the country.
- 100% of births in the last five years have been attended by skilled health personnel, as per NFHS (2019–20), ensuring high-quality maternal care.
- As per the HMIS data for 2023–24, 99.88% of births in the past year were attended by skilled personnel, reflecting consistency in service delivery.
- 78.6% of women aged 15–49 who had a live birth received antenatal care (ANC) four or more times, which is critical for early detection and management of complications during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Kerala's consistent investment in maternal healthcare and its well-functioning public health infrastructure have yielded impressive outcomes. With an already low maternal mortality ratio and nearly universal skilled birth attendance, Kerala is well-positioned to achieve — and possibly exceed — the SDG 3.1 target by 2030. Continued efforts to improve antenatal care coverage and ensure equitable access across all regions will further strengthen maternal health outcomes in the state.
