Based on the average values of various indicators, the sequence of urban maternal death among the five causes of death (OH, PI, PIH, MC and AFE) from 2000 to 2013 was as follows: MC (49.97%), OH (25.99%), AFE (12.44%), PIH (10.69%) and PI (1.34%). The sequence of rural maternal causes of death in 2000–2013 was as follows: OH (39.83%), MC (36.11%), PIH (11.31%), AFE (10.99%) and PI (2.06%) (Fig. 4).Fig. 4Disparity trends in maternal causes of death between urban and rural areas in China from 2000 to 2013