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

In 1900, the child mortality rate in Kenya was just over 507 deaths for every 1,000 live births. This means that more than half of all children born in this years did not survive past their fifth birthday. This rate would remain relatively constant through the first thirty years of the 20th century. However, child mortality would begin to sharply fall beginning in the 1930s, in part the result of a rapid modernization campaign between the 1930s to 1950s. In the post-war years, as the use of insecticides such as DDT and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) became more widespread, and several anti-malarial drugs became more widely available, malaria and other insect-borne diseases saw a sharp reduction in Kenya, which, when combined with an expansion of healthcare access throughout the country, led to a large reduction in child mortality from the 1950s to the mid-1980s.

However, in the late 1980s, this downward trend would slow, as an economic depression and the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic would lead to both an increase in complications for children born with the disease, as well as place an increased strain on the Kenyan healthcare system as a whole. After reaching a record low of 106 deaths in 1990, child mortality would rise for the first time in 65 years in 1995 to 108 deaths per 1,000 births. However, thanks in part to significantly improved access to HIV counselling and treatments, progress in malaria eradication efforts, and overall improvement in the economy, child mortality would begin to fall again, and in 2020, it is estimated that for every 1,000 live births, over 95 percent of all children will make it past the age of five.

The infant mortality rate in Kenya decreased by 1.1 deaths per 1,000 live births (-3.07 percent) compared to the previous year. This marks the lowest infant mortality rate during the observed period. The infant mortality rate is the number of newborns who do not survive past the first 12 months of life. This is generally expressed as a value per 1,000 live births, and also includes neonatal mortality (deaths within the first 28 days of life).Find more statistics on other topics about Kenya with key insights such as fertility rate of women aged between 15 and 19 years old, crude birth rate, and total fertility rate.

Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Male: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 53.200 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 55.100 Ratio for 2015. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Male: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 66.600 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 106.400 Ratio in 2000 and a record low of 53.200 Ratio in 2016. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: 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 Kenya – Table KE.World Bank: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate, male is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn male baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to male 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.

Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) in Kenya was reported at 7.211 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Death rate, crude - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2023, the death rate in Kenya did not change in comparison to the previous year. The death rate remained at **** deaths per 1,000 inhabitants. The crude death rate is the annual number of deaths divided by the total population, expressed per 1,000 people.Find more statistics on other topics about Kenya with key insights such as total fertility rate, fertility rate of women aged between 15 and 19 years old, and crude birth rate.

Graph and download economic data for Infant Mortality Rate for Kenya (SPDYNIMRTINKEN) from 1960 to 2023 about Kenya, mortality, infant, and rate.

Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 33.600 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 34.300 Ratio for 2016. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 67.500 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 117.400 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 33.600 Ratio in 2017. Kenya KE: 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 Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: 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.

Kenya KE: Number of Deaths Ages 20-24 Years data was reported at 9,925.000 Person in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 9,735.000 Person for 2018. Kenya KE: Number of Deaths Ages 20-24 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 10,032.000 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,763.000 Person in 2004 and a record low of 6,063.000 Person in 1990. Kenya KE: Number of Deaths Ages 20-24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Number of deaths of youths ages 20-24 years; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Sum; Aggregate data for LIC, UMC, LMC, HIC are computed based on the groupings for the World Bank fiscal year in which the data was released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Adult: Male: per 1000 Male Adults data was reported at 258.157 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 264.091 Ratio for 2015. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Adult: Male: per 1000 Male Adults data is updated yearly, averaging 358.446 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 523.461 Ratio in 2002 and a record low of 258.157 Ratio in 2016. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Adult: Male: per 1000 Male Adults data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank: Health Statistics. Adult mortality rate, male, is the probability of dying between the ages of 15 and 60--that is, the probability of a 15-year-old male dying before reaching age 60, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year between those ages.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) University of California, Berkeley, and Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research. The Human Mortality Database.; Weighted average;

Mortality rate, neonatal (per 1,000 live births) in Kenya was reported at 21.5 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Mortality rate; neonatal (per 1;000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The statistic shows the adult mortality rate in Kenya from 2013 to 2023, by gender. According to the source, the adult mortality rate is the probability of dying between the ages of ** and ** - that is, the probability of a 15-year-old dying before reaching age **, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year between those ages. In 2023, the mortality rate for women was at ***** per 1,000 female adults, while the mortality rate for men was at ****** per 1,000 male adults in Kenya.

Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 41.500 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 44.500 Ratio for 2015. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 53.900 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 98.400 Ratio in 2000 and a record low of 41.500 Ratio in 2017. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate, female is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn female baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to female 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.

Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) in Kenya was reported at 34.7 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 45.600 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 47.100 Ratio for 2016. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 107.350 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 196.900 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 45.600 Ratio in 2017. Kenya KE: 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 Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: 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.

Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) in Kenya was reported at 39.9 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Infant: Female: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 30.100 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 31.500 Ratio for 2015. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Infant: Female: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 36.000 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60.500 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 30.100 Ratio in 2017. Kenya KE: Mortality Rate: Infant: Female: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate, female is the number of female infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 female 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.

Kenya KE: Maternal Mortality Ratio: National Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 362.000 Ratio in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 520.000 Ratio for 2009. Kenya KE: Maternal Mortality Ratio: National Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 506.000 Ratio from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2014, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 743.000 Ratio in 1998 and a record low of 362.000 Ratio in 2014. Kenya KE: Maternal Mortality Ratio: National Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births.; ; UNICEF, State of the World's Children, Childinfo, and Demographic and Health Surveys.; ;

In 1950, the infant mortality rate in Kenya was 187 deaths for every 1,000 live births. This means that just under 19 percent of all children born in 1950 were not expected to live past their first birthday. However, as the use of insecticides such as DDT and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) became more widespread, and several anti-malarial drugs became more widely available, malaria and other insect-borne diseases (one of the major sources of infant mortality in the country) saw a sharp reduction in Kenya, leading to a large reduction in infant mortality from the 1950s to the mid-1980s.

In the late 1980s, this downward trend would slow, as an economic depression and the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic would lead to both an increase in complications for children born with the disease, as well as increased strain on the Kenyan healthcare system as a whole. After remaining at 74 deaths per 1000 births through the remainder of the 20th century, infant mortality would continue to fall again, in part the result of significantly improved access to HIV counselling and treatments and progress in malaria eradication efforts. In 2020, it is estimated that for every 1,000 live births, there will be 36 deaths before the first birthday.

Mortality rate, under-5, female (per 1,000 live births) in Kenya was reported at 35.6 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Mortality rate, under-5, female (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.