Berlin. In 2024, approximately 4.9 million children are expected to die before their fifth birthday worldwide. Among them, 2.3 million were newborns who did not survive the first month of life, according to a recent report by the UN Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), published under the leadership of UNICEF. While these figures represent a historical low, the United Nations warns that progress in combating child mortality is significantly slowing down.
According to UNICEF, the global mortality rate for children under five has more than halved since 2000. The total number of deaths has decreased from 12.5 million in 1990 to 4.9 million in 2024. Vaccination programs, improved maternal and neonatal care, and advancements in the treatment of infectious diseases have contributed to this decline.
Slowing Progress in Reducing Child Mortality
UNICEF reports that the reduction in child mortality has slowed significantly since 2015. Concurrently, many healthcare systems face pressure from conflicts, economic crises, and declining international aid, creating a risk to the gains that have been achieved. The report indicates that approximately nine children die every minute before reaching their fifth birthday, and most of these deaths are deemed preventable by the UN. Cost-effective measures—such as vaccinations, addressing malnutrition, better prenatal care, and reliable access to basic healthcare—could save millions of young lives.
Almost half of all deaths among children under five in 2024 occurred during the first 28 days of life. Thus, neonatal mortality remains one of the greatest challenges in global health policy. UNICEF estimates that about 6,200 newborns die each day within their first month, primarily due to complications from premature births, issues during delivery, severe infections, and congenital anomalies.
Significant Regional Disparities in Survival Rates
The report reveals substantial regional variations in child mortality rates. Particularly high child mortality rates are found in countries south of the Sahara. In 2024, 58% of all deaths of children under five occurred in Sub-Saharan Africa, where more than half succumbed to common infectious diseases, including pneumonia, malaria, diarrheal diseases, sepsis, tuberculosis, measles, HIV/AIDS, or tetanus.
South Asia also remains severely affected, accounting for 25% of all child deaths under five. In contrast, Europe and North America together represent only 1.1% of global deaths in this age group. These data underscore the close correlation between children’s chances of survival and access to healthcare and general living conditions, as emphasized by the United Nations.
Child Mortality Rate Nearly Ten Times Higher than in Germany
According to UNICEF, the child mortality rate in Germany in 2024 was 3.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the global rate stood at 37.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. In Sub-Saharan Africa, this rate was nearly 19 times higher, at 69 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Children living in fragile and conflict-affected states are at an especially high risk. UNICEF points out that the likelihood of dying before the age of five is nearly three times higher in these countries compared to more stable regions. Wars, displacement, and the destruction of health facilities severely hinder maternal and child healthcare.
Malnutrition and Infectious Diseases Remain Central Causes
Among the leading causes of child mortality, infectious diseases and malnutrition continue to be significant factors. For the first time, the current UN report provides detailed estimates of deaths due to severe acute malnutrition. In 2024, over 100,000 children under five died directly from severe malnutrition. The actual figure is likely higher, as malnutrition also exacerbates numerous other diseases, thus indirectly contributing to many child fatalities.
Pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, and malaria remain among the most common preventable causes of death. Simultaneously, the data indicate that causes of death shift with increasing age.
Self-Harm is the Leading Cause of Death Among Girls Aged 15 to 19
The report also presents estimates concerning mortality among the 5 to 24 age group for the first time. In 2024, around 2.1 million children, adolescents, and young adults from this age category are estimated to have died worldwide.
Among girls aged 15 to 19, self-harm was identified as the leading cause of death, while traffic accidents ranked first among boys in the same age group. This shift highlights the growing focus on mental health issues and injuries alongside traditional causes of death such as infectious diseases and malnutrition in international health reporting.
