Introduction: Health is closely linked with economic development and human progress. The Human Development Index (HDI) considers significant factors such as a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. This index seems to have an impact on the maternal mortality rate. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Human Development Index and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on the maternal mortality rate.
Methods: This is a time series study in which data related to the Human Development Index, Gross Domestic Product, and maternal mortality rate from 1990 to 2020 were collected from the World Health Organization and the World Bank. Using time series models in econometrics and the autoregressive method, these data were analyzed in EViews.
Results: The Human Development Index, Gross Domestic Product, and maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births in 1990 were 0.601, 7515, and 123, respectively, and in 2020 were 0.783, 15532, and 15, respectively. The Human Development Index over time has had an impact on the variance changes in maternal mortality.
Conclusion: The results showed that the Human Development Index and Gross Domestic Product have had an impact on the maternal mortality rate over time. Given that one of the important health indicators of any country is the maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births, efforts to improve the Human Development Index can enhance this indicator. It is suggested that policymakers pay special attention to the Human Development Index.