Global child deaths before age five stagnate; 4.9 million in 2024
An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, a number that has stagnated since 2022. This represents a concerning slowdown in progress, as most of these deaths are preventable. Neonatal deaths account for nearly half of all under-five fatalities.
Key Highlights
- Global under-five deaths stagnated at 4.9 million in 2024.
- Progress in reducing child mortality has slowed significantly since 2015.
- Neonatal deaths constitute nearly half of all under-five child deaths.
- Preventable causes like malnutrition and infections remain primary drivers of mortality.
- Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia bear the highest burden of child deaths.
In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children globally died before reaching their fifth birthday, a figure that has remained stagnant since 2022. This alarming trend signifies a worrying slowdown in the progress achieved over the past decades in reducing child mortality. The report, a collaborative effort by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the UN Population Division, highlights that the majority of these deaths are preventable through known, low-cost interventions.
Neonatal deaths, occurring within the first 28 days of life, accounted for approximately 2.3 million of these fatalities, representing nearly half of all under-five deaths. This underscores a slower rate of decline in neonatal mortality compared to deaths among children aged 1-59 months.
The pace of reduction in under-five mortality has significantly decelerated. While global rates saw a substantial decline between 2000 and 2015, the annual rate of reduction slowed by over 60% between 2015 and 2024. This stagnation is particularly concerning as many of the leading causes of death—including preterm birth complications, intrapartum-related events (birth asphyxia/trauma), pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria—are largely preventable or treatable.
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) has also been identified as a significant contributor, with estimates suggesting over 100,000 children aged 1-59 months died directly from SAM in 2024. Experts caution that this figure is likely an undercount, as malnutrition weakens a child's immune system and increases vulnerability to other diseases.
Geographical disparities remain stark, with Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia bearing the brunt of the child mortality burden. Together, these regions accounted for over 80% of all under-five deaths in 2024, despite representing less than 60% of global live births. Children in Sub-Saharan Africa face the highest risk, with an under-five mortality rate nearly 14 times higher than in Europe and North America. Children in fragile and conflict-affected settings are also at a substantially higher risk, nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday compared to those in stable environments.
For India specifically, while significant progress has been made in reducing child mortality, the global trend of slowing progress is a concern. India has played a crucial role in reducing child mortality in the Southern Asia region, witnessing a substantial decline in under-five deaths since 1990. The country's Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) has seen a notable decrease, falling by 70% from 1990 to 2024. However, challenges persist, including a stark divide between rural and urban areas and the increasing proportion of deaths occurring in the neonatal period.
The report also sheds light on mortality among older children, adolescents, and youth. An estimated 2.1 million deaths occurred in the 5-24 age group in 2024. Infectious diseases and injuries remain leading causes among younger children, while risks shift in adolescence, with self-harm becoming the leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 and road traffic injuries among boys.
Experts emphasize that continued political commitment, sustained financing for primary healthcare, a focus on high-risk populations, and strengthened accountability systems are crucial to reversing the current trend and accelerating progress towards ending preventable child deaths. Declining international aid and global budget cuts pose a significant threat to maternal, newborn, and child health programs, potentially reversing hard-won gains.
The sources used for this verification are primarily reports from reputable international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), published in early 2026, detailing estimates for the year 2024. The BusinessLine article accurately reflects these global estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the global estimate for child deaths before the age of five in 2024?
An estimated 4.9 million children died globally before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024.
What is the primary reason for the stagnation in reducing child mortality?
The stagnation is concerning because the majority of these deaths are preventable through known, low-cost interventions. Progress has slowed significantly since 2015.
What are the leading causes of under-five deaths?
The leading causes include preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia/trauma, pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and severe acute malnutrition. Neonatal deaths, particularly those around birth, account for nearly half of all under-five deaths.
Which regions are most affected by child mortality?
Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia account for over 80% of all under-five deaths globally. Children in fragile and conflict-affected settings are also at a significantly higher risk.