This statistic shows the 20 countries* with the highest infant mortality rate in 2024. An estimated 101.3 infants per 1,000 live births died in the first year of life in Afghanistan in 2024. Infant and child mortality Infant mortality usually refers to the death of children younger than one year. Child mortality, which is often used synonymously with infant mortality, is the death of children younger than five. Among the main causes are pneumonia, diarrhea – which causes dehydration – and infections in newborns, with malnutrition also posing a severe problem. As can be seen above, most countries with a high infant mortality rate are developing countries or emerging countries, most of which are located in Africa. Good health care and hygiene are crucial in reducing child mortality; among the countries with the lowest infant mortality rate are exclusively developed countries, whose inhabitants usually have access to clean water and comprehensive health care. Access to vaccinations, antibiotics and a balanced nutrition also help reducing child mortality in these regions. In some countries, infants are killed if they turn out to be of a certain gender. India, for example, is known as a country where a lot of girls are aborted or killed right after birth, as they are considered to be too expensive for poorer families, who traditionally have to pay a costly dowry on the girl’s wedding day. Interestingly, the global mortality rate among boys is higher than that for girls, which could be due to the fact that more male infants are actually born than female ones. Other theories include a stronger immune system in girls, or more premature births among boys.

In the United States in 2021, the death rate was highest among those aged 85 and over, with about 17,190.5 men and 14,914.5 women per 100,000 of the population passing away. For all ages, the death rate was at 1,118.2 per 100,000 of the population for males, and 970.8 per 100,000 of the population for women. The death rate Death rates generally are counted as the number of deaths per 1,000 or 100,000 of the population and include both deaths of natural and unnatural causes. The death rate in the United States had pretty much held steady since 1990 until it started to increase over the last decade, with the highest death rates recorded in recent years. While the birth rate in the United States has been decreasing, it is still currently higher than the death rate. Causes of death There are a myriad number of causes of death in the United States, but the most recent data shows the top three leading causes of death to be heart disease, cancers, and accidents. Heart disease was also the leading cause of death worldwide.

Maternal Mortality Ratios and Rates, and Percent Distribution of Deaths, by Age.

Guatemala GT: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 23.100 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 23.900 Ratio for 2016. Guatemala GT: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 63.850 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 146.700 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 23.100 Ratio in 2017. Guatemala GT: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Guatemala – Table GT.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

The infant mortality rate in Central African Republic declined to 73.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022. Therefore, 2022 marks the lowest infant mortality rate during the observed period. The infant mortality rate refers to the number of infants who do not survive past the first year of life, expressed as a value per 1,000 births.Find more statistics on other topics about Central African Republic with key insights such as crude birth rate, death rate, and total fertility rate.

Notes.*Above or below MMR of 500.**No. of deaths in DHS surveys, as weighted in the survey.***Age-specific exposure times for sisters of respondents.****Deaths per 1000 women age 15–44 per year.

Pre-pandemic (data of 2019) epidemiologic and demographic data have shown that some parameters such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, advanced age, and alcohol intake levels are positively correlated to Covid-19 mortality, instead, birth and fertility rates are negatively correlated to Covid-19 mortality. A stepwise multiple regression analysis of the above parameters against Covid-19 mortality in 32 countries from Asia, America, Africa, and Europe has generated two main predictors of Covid-19 mortality: alcohol consumption and birth/mortality ratio. A first-order equation correlated alcohol intake to Covid-19 mortality as follows; Covid-19 mortality= 0.1057 x (liters of alcohol intake) + 0.2214 (Coefficient of determination = 0.750, F value = 38.63 , P-value = 7.64x10-7). A second equation correlated (birth rate/mortality rate) to Covid-19 mortality as follows; Covid-19 mortality= - 0.3129 x (birth rate/mortality) ratio +1.638 (coefficient of determination = 0.799, F value = 51.2, P-value = 7.09x10-8). Thus, pre-pandemic alcohol consumption is a high predictor of Covid-19 mortality that should be taken into account as a serious risk factor for future safety measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Uzbekistan UZ: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 21.400 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22.900 Ratio for 2015. Uzbekistan UZ: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 56.050 Ratio from Dec 1979 (Median) to 2016, with 38 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 95.700 Ratio in 1979 and a record low of 21.400 Ratio in 2016. Uzbekistan UZ: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uzbekistan – Table UZ.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted Average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Number of deaths and mortality rates, by age group, sex, and place of residence, 1991 to most recent year.

Sri Lanka LK: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 9.400 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.600 Ratio for 2015. Sri Lanka LK: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 24.200 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.400 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 9.400 Ratio in 2016. Sri Lanka LK: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sri Lanka – Table LK.World Bank: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

In 2022, the infant mortality rate in India was at about 25.5 deaths per 1,000 live births, a significant decrease from previous years. Infant mortality as an indicatorThe infant mortality rate is the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births. This rate is an important key indicator for a country’s health and standard of living; a low infant mortality rate indicates a high standard of healthcare. Causes of infant mortality include premature birth, sepsis or meningitis, sudden infant death syndrome, and pneumonia. Globally, the infant mortality rate has shrunk from 63 infant deaths per 1,000 live births to 27 since 1990 and is forecast to drop to 8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births by the year 2100. India’s rural problemWith 32 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, India is neither among the countries with the highest nor among those with the lowest infant mortality rate. Its decrease indicates an increase in medical care and hygiene, as well as a decrease in female infanticide. Increasing life expectancy at birth is another indicator that shows that the living conditions of the Indian population are improving. Still, India’s inhabitants predominantly live in rural areas, where standards of living as well as access to medical care and hygiene are traditionally lower and more complicated than in cities. Public health programs are thus put in place by the government to ensure further improvement.

Goal 3Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all agesTarget 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live birthsIndicator 3.1.1: Maternal mortality ratioSH_STA_MORT: Maternal mortality ratioIndicator 3.1.2: Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnelSH_STA_BRTC: Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel (%)Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live birthsIndicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rateSH_DYN_IMRTN: Infant deaths (number)SH_DYN_MORT: Under-five mortality rate, by sex (deaths per 1,000 live births)SH_DYN_IMRT: Infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births)SH_DYN_MORTN: Under-five deaths (number)Indicator 3.2.2: Neonatal mortality rateSH_DYN_NMRTN: Neonatal deaths (number)SH_DYN_NMRT: Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births)Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseasesIndicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age and key populationsSH_HIV_INCD: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex and age (per 1,000 uninfected population)Indicator 3.3.2: Tuberculosis incidence per 100,000 populationSH_TBS_INCD: Tuberculosis incidence (per 100,000 population)Indicator 3.3.3: Malaria incidence per 1,000 populationSH_STA_MALR: Malaria incidence per 1,000 population at risk (per 1,000 population)Indicator 3.3.4: Hepatitis B incidence per 100,000 populationSH_HAP_HBSAG: Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (%)Indicator 3.3.5: Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical diseasesSH_TRP_INTVN: Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical diseases (number)Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-beingIndicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseaseSH_DTH_NCOM: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease (probability)SH_DTH_NCD: Number of deaths attributed to non-communicable diseases, by type of disease and sex (number)Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rateSH_STA_SCIDE: Suicide mortality rate, by sex (deaths per 100,000 population)SH_STA_SCIDEN: Number of deaths attributed to suicide, by sex (number)Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcoholIndicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disordersSH_SUD_ALCOL: Alcohol use disorders, 12-month prevalence (%)SH_SUD_TREAT: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders (%)Indicator 3.5.2: Alcohol per capita consumption (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year in litres of pure alcoholSH_ALC_CONSPT: Alcohol consumption per capita (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year (litres of pure alcohol)Target 3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidentsIndicator 3.6.1: Death rate due to road traffic injuriesSH_STA_TRAF: Death rate due to road traffic injuries, by sex (per 100,000 population)Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmesIndicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15–49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methodsSH_FPL_MTMM: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods (% of women aged 15-49 years)Indicator 3.7.2: Adolescent birth rate (aged 10–14 years; aged 15–19 years) per 1,000 women in that age groupSP_DYN_ADKL: Adolescent birth rate (per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years)Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for allIndicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health servicesSH_ACS_UNHC: Universal health coverage (UHC) service coverage indexIndicator 3.8.2: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or incomeSH_XPD_EARN25: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health (greater than 25%) as a share of total household expenditure or income (%)SH_XPD_EARN10: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health (greater than 10%) as a share of total household expenditure or income (%)Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contaminationIndicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollutionSH_HAP_ASMORT: Age-standardized mortality rate attributed to household air pollution (deaths per 100,000 population)SH_STA_AIRP: Crude death rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution (deaths per 100,000 population)SH_STA_ASAIRP: Age-standardized mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution (deaths per 100,000 population)SH_AAP_MORT: Crude death rate attributed to ambient air pollution (deaths per 100,000 population)SH_AAP_ASMORT: Age-standardized mortality rate attributed to ambient air pollution (deaths per 100,000 population)SH_HAP_MORT: Crude death rate attributed to household air pollution (deaths per 100,000 population)Indicator 3.9.2: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene (exposure to unsafe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All (WASH) services)SH_STA_WASH: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene (deaths per 100,000 population)Indicator 3.9.3: Mortality rate attributed to unintentional poisoningSH_STA_POISN: Mortality rate attributed to unintentional poisonings, by sex (deaths per 100,000 population)Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriateIndicator 3.a.1: Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 15 years and olderSH_PRV_SMOK: Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 15 years and older, by sex (%)Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for allIndicator 3.b.1: Proportion of the target population covered by all vaccines included in their national programmeSH_ACS_DTP3: Proportion of the target population with access to 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) (%)SH_ACS_MCV2: Proportion of the target population with access to measles-containing-vaccine second-dose (MCV2) (%)SH_ACS_PCV3: Proportion of the target population with access to pneumococcal conjugate 3rd dose (PCV3) (%)SH_ACS_HPV: Proportion of the target population with access to affordable medicines and vaccines on a sustainable basis, human papillomavirus (HPV) (%)Indicator 3.b.2: Total net official development assistance to medical research and basic health sectorsDC_TOF_HLTHNT: Total official development assistance to medical research and basic heath sectors, net disbursement, by recipient countries (millions of constant 2018 United States dollars)DC_TOF_HLTHL: Total official development assistance to medical research and basic heath sectors, gross disbursement, by recipient countries (millions of constant 2018 United States dollars)Indicator 3.b.3: Proportion of health facilities that have a core set of relevant essential medicines available and affordable on a sustainable basisSH_HLF_EMED: Proportion of health facilities that have a core set of relevant essential medicines available and affordable on a sustainable basis (%)Target 3.c: Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing StatesIndicator 3.c.1: Health worker density and distributionSH_MED_DEN: Health worker density, by type of occupation (per 10,000 population)SH_MED_HWRKDIS: Health worker distribution, by sex and type of occupation (%)Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risksIndicator 3.d.1: International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparednessSH_IHR_CAPS: International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity, by type of IHR capacity (%)Indicator 3.d.2: Percentage of bloodstream infections due to selected antimicrobial-resistant organismsiSH_BLD_MRSA: Percentage of bloodstream infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among patients seeking care and whose

Number of infant deaths and infant mortality rates, by age group (neonatal and post-neonatal), 1991 to most recent year.

Neonatal mortality rate from HSA records and validation survey, the ratio of the two rates and corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

Sri Lanka LK: Mortality Rate: Infant: Male: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 8.800 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.100 Ratio for 2015. Sri Lanka LK: Mortality Rate: Infant: Male: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 10.600 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.600 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 8.800 Ratio in 2016. Sri Lanka LK: Mortality Rate: Infant: Male: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sri Lanka – Table LK.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate, male is the number of male infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 male live births in a given year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted Average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

The number of maternal deaths and maternal mortality rates for selected causes, 2000 to most recent year.

South Africa ZA: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 43.300 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 44.100 Ratio for 2015. South Africa ZA: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 66.000 Ratio from Dec 1974 (Median) to 2016, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 125.500 Ratio in 1974 and a record low of 43.300 Ratio in 2016. South Africa ZA: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Africa – Table ZA.World Bank: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Uganda UG: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 37.700 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 39.200 Ratio for 2015. Uganda UG: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 107.900 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 132.300 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 37.700 Ratio in 2016. Uganda UG: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uganda – Table UG.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted Average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Mortality rate ratios (MRRs) are adjusted for age at follow-up and calendar period at baseline. The reference group is Sweden-born women.*Continents, regions, and countries with at least five cases of cancer mortality.aThe former Czechoslovakia includes Czechoslovakia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.bThe former Soviet Union includes Belarus, Moldova, Russian Federation, Soviet Union, and Ukraine.cThe former Yugoslavia includes Yugoslavia, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro.

Rank, number of deaths, percentage of deaths, and age-specific mortality rates for the leading causes of death, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.