Child Mortality Trends: Global Slowdown And India’s Progress

A UN report on child mortality highlights a global decline in under-five deaths.
It also notes a slowdown in progress since 2015, while India has shown steady improvement.

Source: India showing steady progress in reducing child deaths amid slowing global gains: report, The Hindu

Around 4.9 million children died before age five in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns
Most deaths are preventable through low-cost interventions and access to quality healthcare
Under-five mortality has declined by over 50% since 2000
The pace of reduction has slowed by more than 60% since 2015

India shows steady improvement through sustained public health efforts
It has played a key role in reducing child mortality in South Asia
Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) declined from 57 (1990) to 17 (2024) per 1,000 live births
Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) declined from 127 (1990) to 27 (2024) per 1,000 live births
Reduction attributed to targeted public health interventions, improved institutional deliveries, and expanded immunisation

Newborn deaths account for nearly half of under-five deaths
Major causes of newborn deaths include preterm birth complications (36%) and labour and delivery complications (21%)
After the neonatal stage, infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia are major causes
Malaria alone accounts for 17% of deaths in this age group
Among the 5–24 age group, total deaths were 2.1 million in 2024
Infectious diseases and injuries are major causes among younger children
Self-harm is the leading cause among girls aged 15–19
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause among boys

Over 1,00,000 children aged 1–59 months died due to SAM in 2024, accounting for about 5% of deaths
Actual burden is likely underestimated due to gaps in mortality data
SAM increases mortality risk by weakening immunity and increasing susceptibility to common diseases