- Approximately 4.9 million children under the age of five died in 2024 globally.
- 2.3 million newborns were among the estimated 4.9 million child deaths under five.
- Most child deaths are preventable with low-cost interventions and access to quality healthcare.
- Child mortality has decreased by more than half since 2000, but the pace of reduction slowed by 60% since 2015.
- The majority of child deaths occurred in developing countries due to limited access to healthcare.
An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, according to new estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO). Most of these deaths are preventable with proven, low-cost interventions and access to quality health care. The majority of these deaths occurred in developing countries, where access to healthcare is limited.
Global Trends in Child Mortality
According to the report – Levels & Trends in Child Mortality – under-five deaths globally have fallen by more than half since 2000. However, since 2015, the pace of reduction in child mortality has slowed by more than 60 per cent. This slowdown is a concern for global health experts, as it indicates that more needs to be done to address the root causes of child mortality.
Causes of Child Deaths
This year’s report provides the clearest and most detailed picture yet of how many children, adolescents, and youth are dying, where they are dying, and – for the first time – fully integrates estimates on the causes of death. The report estimates deaths directly caused by severe acute malnutrition (SAM), finding that it is a leading cause of child mortality in many developing countries.
What to Watch
As the WHO and other global health organizations work to address the slowdown in reducing child mortality, several factors will be crucial to watch. These include increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, improved access to nutrition and healthcare services, and enhanced efforts to address the root causes of child mortality. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation, and it is essential to continue to work together to reduce child mortality and improve the health and wellbeing of children worldwide.