Under-5 Mortality

SDG target: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under age five, with all countries aiming to reduce under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.

See data sources and methodology used in our 2020 report

Current data suggests that children are less likely to have severe disease from coronavirus infection than older adults. However, as coverage for routine immunizations decreases and case management for pneumonia and diarrhea have been interrupted due to the pandemic, children are increasingly vulnerable. Models predict that acute malnutrition will increase dramatically, which will make it harder for children to fight off infectious diseases. These consequences of the pandemic emphasize the need to figure out how to prevent secondary and tertiary crises.

Yet even now, lifesaving innovation continues. Vaccines exist to protect against many causes of pneumonia, the leading infectious killer of young children. But they can be expensive—they account for about half the budget of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Several months ago, however, the World Health Organization prequalified a new pneumonia vaccine that costs only US$6.00 for a three-dose regimen instead of US$9.00. And thanks to increased investment due to COVID-19, more health care facilities are providing access to oxygen to treat respiratory conditions; this will help save the lives of many children infected with pneumonia.

Legend:
Global average
2030 target
Global progress and projections for Under-5 Mortality
Under-5 deaths per 1,000 live births
PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 2019 37 24 BETTER SCENARIO25 2030 TARGET30 REFERENCE SCENARIO40 WORSE SCENARIO
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HISTORICAL PROGRESS FOR UNDER-5 MORTALITY
SDG target: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under age five, with all countries aiming to reduce under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
Under-5 deaths per 1,000 live births
Global average
2030 target
1990200020102019 020406080100 2537 2030 targetGlobal
Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2020 Goalkeepers Report. Data from IHME. http://gates.ly/GK20U5M
For more information on data sources, methods, and limitations for this year's report: http://gates.ly/GK20Sources
GLOBAL PROGRESS AND PROJECTIONS FOR UNDER-5 MORTALITY
SDG target: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under age five, with all countries aiming to reduce under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
Under-5 deaths per 1,000 live births
2030 target
Global average
Better scenario
Reference scenario
Worse scenario
19902000201020202030 020406080100120 37 24253040
Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2020 Goalkeepers Report. Data from IHME. http://gates.ly/GK20U5M
For more information on data sources, methods, and limitations for this year's report: http://gates.ly/GK20Sources
INTERACT WITH THE DATA
Below you can view comparisons of the historical progress for this indicator across any region or country in the world. Roll over the chart to see data from any year, and add up to three other locations to see how they compare to the global progress. Download any chart you create.
Choose locations to compare:
Global
Legend:
Global average
2030 target
Historical progress for Under-5 Mortality
Under-5 deaths per 1,000 live births
19902000201020190102030405060708090100PER 1,000 LIVE BIRTHS252030 TARGET2030 TARGET37GLOBALGLOBAL
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Use the table below to see historical progress for all countries and regions. Add one to the chart above to make direct comparisons using the to the right.

The ABSOLUTE view allows you to see the actual values over time. The RELATIVE view shows average change year over year for a five-year average.
Choose a chart view:
Absolute
Relative
TARGET 25 per 1,000 live births
Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia
11
per 1,000 live births
1990
2019
High-income
5
per 1,000 live births
1990
2019
Latin America and Caribbean
19
per 1,000 live births
1990
2019
North Africa and Middle East
24
per 1,000 live births
1990
2019
South Asia
41
per 1,000 live births
1990
2019
South-East Asia, East Asia, and Oceania
15
per 1,000 live births
1990
2019
Sub-Saharan Africa
74
per 1,000 live births
1990
2019

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