The 1990–2008 estimates for the maternal mortality associated with unsafe abortion require a re-examination. This study sought to provide the latest estimates of the mortality associated with unsafe abortion and to examine trends within the framework of new maternal mortality estimates. Extensive searches of databases and websites for country- and region-specific data on unsafe abortion was conducted. Earlier published estimates for the unsafe-abortion-related mortality were recalculated by country for 1990, 1997, 2000, and 2003 to harmonize with the new maternal mortality estimates. The resulting estimates were aggregated to give sub-regional, regional, and global figures, including those recently estimated for 2008.