Today, significantly fewer children under the age of five are dying compared to about 25 years ago.

Child Mortality Significantly Reduced

Today, significantly fewer children under the age of five are dying compared to about 25 years ago. This is evident from figures released by UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The number could be further reduced.

Survivability Rate of Children Improving

According to UN data, more people are surviving the early stages of their lives than ever before. The child mortality rate under five years old has decreased significantly worldwide since the year 2000, as reported by the humanitarian organization UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.

Progress in Reducing Child Mortality

The child mortality rate under five years old, due to preventable causes, has decreased by 51% since 2000. However, in 2022, 4.9 million children still died before their fifth birthday. While this is a record low, UNICEF notes that it still represents too many deaths. Most of these fatalities occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Lack of Vaccinations and Healthcare Personnel

The United Nations urged further efforts in the fight against child mortality. The deaths are primarily attributed to preventable or treatable causes such as premature birth, childbirth complications, pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria.

Many lives could be saved through quality primary healthcare, emphasized the UN organizations. There is a lack of vaccinations, qualified healthcare personnel during childbirth, as well as diagnosis and treatment of childhood illnesses.