Child mortality

Number of child deaths igme

Child mortality is the death of children under the age of five. The child mortality rate (also under-five mortality rate) refers to the probability of dying between birth and exactly five years of age expressed per 1,000 live births.

Child mortality is a medical and biological issue as well as a social problem defined by claimsmakers who advocate for better healthcare access and protective policies. By examining the outcomes of past interventions and current disparities, we can evaluate the success of social work in reducing infant deaths.

It encompasses neonatal mortality and infant mortality (the probability of death in the first year of life).

Reduction of child mortality is reflected in several of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Target 3.2 states that "by 2030, the goal is to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age with all countries aiming to reduce under‑5 mortality to as low as 25 per 1,000 live births."

Child mortality rates have decreased in the last 40 years. Rapid progress has resulted in a significant decline in preventable child deaths. Since 1990, the global under-five mortality rate has declined by approximately 60%. In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children under the age of five died worldwide, equivalent to one death every six seconds. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia together accounted for more than 80% of under-five deaths in 2024. Neonatal deaths, occurring during the first 28 days of life, accounted for 2.3 million deaths, or 47% of all under-five deaths.