In 2021, the infant mortality rate in the United Kingdom was four deaths one year per 1,000 live births, one of the lowest infant mortality rate in this period. Infant mortality has fallen considerably since 1900, when there were 150 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Live births, stillbirths and linked infant deaths occurring annually in England and Wales, and associated risk factors.

UNICEF's country profile for United Kingdom, including under-five mortality rates, child health, education and sanitation data.

Historical dataset showing U.K. infant mortality rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

Annual statistics on births and infant deaths based on babies born in a calendar year that died before their first birthday linked to their corresponding birth notification and their corresponding death registration.

The child mortality rate in the United Kingdom, for children under the age of five, was 329 deaths per thousand births in 1800. This means that approximately one in every three children born in 1800 did not make it to their fifth birthday. Over the course of the next 220 years, this number has dropped drastically, particularly in the first half of the twentieth century, and the rate has dropped to its lowest point ever in 2020 where it is just four deaths per thousand births.

In 2023, the infant mortality rate in deaths per 1,000 live births in the United Kingdom was four. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 18.9, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Forecast: Infant Mortality Rate in the UK 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Infant Mortality Rate in the UK 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Male Infant Mortality Rate in the UK 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Infant deaths under 1 year of age per 1000 live births.

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The infant mortality rate in the United Kingdom, for children under the age of one (twelve months), was 31.7 deaths per thousand births in 1950. Approximately 3.2 percent of children born in 1950 did not survive past their first birthday. Over the course of the next 70 years, this number has dropped significantly. It amounted to just four deaths per thousand births in the period between 2015 and 2020, the lowest figure recorded.

These tables include data on live births, infant deaths, and infant mortality rates by ethnic group as well as on infant deaths, and infant mortality rates by cause of death and ethnic group. Source agency: Office for National Statistics Designation: National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Infant mortality by ethnic group

Live births, stillbirths and infant deaths by ethnicity of the baby, England and Wales, 2007 to 2019

Forecast: Female Infant Mortality Rate in the UK 2022 - 2026 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

This dataset presents the crude rate of infant mortality, defined as the number of deaths of infants aged under 1 year per 1,000 live births. It is a fundamental indicator of child health and wellbeing, reflecting the broader social, economic, and environmental conditions in which children are born and raised.

Rationale Reducing the infant mortality rate is a key public health objective. High rates may indicate issues related to maternal health, access to healthcare, socioeconomic inequalities, or environmental risks. Monitoring this indicator supports efforts to improve early life outcomes and reduce health disparities.

Numerator The numerator is the number of infant deaths (under 1 year of age) registered during the relevant period. Data are sourced from the Deaths Register.

Denominator The denominator is the number of live births registered during the same period. Births are assigned to geographical areas based on the mother’s usual residence. Data are sourced from the Births Register.

Caveats Live births are geographically assigned based on the mother’s usual residence, which may differ from the location of the birth or death. This should be considered when interpreting local-level data.

External References Fingertips Public Health Profiles – Infant Mortality Rate

Click here to explore more from the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Partnerships Outcome Framework.

This dataset contains counts of deaths under one year of age and infant mortality rates, The infant mortality rates are also based on the 3-year period and are calculated as the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS) Publisher: Neighbourhood Statistics Geographies: Local Authority District (LAD), County/Unitary Authority, Government Office Region (GOR), National Geographic coverage: England and Wales Time coverage: 1998-2000 to 2003-2005 Type of data: Administrative data

Live births and infant deaths by gestational age. Additionally by birthweight, multiplicity of births, mother's age, marital status (registration type), household occupation and ethnic group. Source agency: Office for National Statistics Designation: National Statistics Language: English Alternative title: Gestation-specific infant mortality

The United Kingdom: Infant deaths per 1000 live births: The latest value from 2022 is 4 deaths per 1000 live births, unchanged from 4 deaths per 1000 live births in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 19 deaths per 1000 live births, based on data from 187 countries. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from 1960 to 2022 is 10 deaths per 1000 live births. The minimum value, 4 deaths per 1000 live births, was reached in 2010 while the maximum of 23 deaths per 1000 live births was recorded in 1960.