Child deaths
🧒 Global child mortality has decreased by 60 percent since 1990
Mortality among children under five has fallen by approximately 60 percent since 1990, thanks to investments in vaccinations, newborn care and nutrition. Mortality among newborns has decreased by 45 percent during the same period.
🧒 Child mortality halved in these nine Asian countries
Afghanistan shows the largest decline from 13 percent to 6 percent, while China now has the lowest level at only 1 percent. Improvements in nutrition, clean water, sanitation, vaccinations, and poverty reduction have contributed to this positive development.
👶 Sharp global decline in neonatal tetanus
The number of reported cases of neonatal tetanus has decreased by 89 percent between 2000 and 2021. 47 of 59 priority countries have achieved WHO's goals to eliminate tetanus in mothers and newborns.
🧒🏿 UN: Historic milestone as the number of child deaths falls below 5 million for the first time
Since 2000, the global under-five mortality rate has more than halved. Several low- and lower-middle-income countries have surpassed the global decline, with some reducing child mortality by more than two-thirds.