Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

4.9 Million Children Died Before Age Five Worldwide In 2024: UN Report

In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns, according to an alarming new report by the United Nations today.

A majority of the deaths could have been prevented with proven, low-cost interventions and access to better health care, revealed the Levels &amp; Trends in Child Mortality report.

While child mortality under-five globally has fallen by more than half since 2000, the pace of reduction slowed down by more than 60 percent after 2015. 

“The world has made remarkable progress in saving children’s lives, but many still die from preventable causes,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“Children living amid conflict and crisis are nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday. We must protect essential health and nutrition services and reach the most vulnerable families so every child has the chance not only to survive, but to thrive,” he added. 

<ul><li>Children under five years:</li></ul>

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) claimed more than 100,000 children aged 1-59 months in 2024, mainly in Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan.

Notably, malnutrition weakens children’s immunity and increases their risk of dying from common childhood diseases. 

<ul><li>Newborn deaths -- nearly half of all under-five deaths occurred in newborns. Leading causes include:</li></ul>Complications from preterm birth (36 per cent)

Complications during labor and delivery (21 percent)

Infections, including neonatal sepsis and congenital anomalies 

<ul><li>In infants and toddlers, major killers were infectious diseases such as </li></ul><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/malaria">Malaria</a> (17 percent),

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/pneumonia">pneumonia</a>

<ul><li>Children and youth aged 5–24 -- an estimated 2.1 milliondied in 2024.</li></ul>Among younger children infectious diseases and injuries were the leading causes.

In adolescents, self-harm was the leading cause of death among girls aged 15–19, and road traffic injuries among boys. 

<ul><li>Countries With Most Deaths</li></ul>Deaths remain concentrated in a handful of endemic countries – such as Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Nigeria. These countries share the most burden due to:

<ul><li>conflict, </li><li>climate shocks, </li><li>invasive mosquitoes, </li><li>drug resistance,</li><li>Low access to prevention and treatment.</li></ul>Sub-Saharan Africa -- 58 per cent of all under-five deaths.

Europe and Northern America -- 9 per cent 

Australia and New Zealand -- 6 per cent. 

Southern Asia -- 25 per cent of all under-five deaths 

Children and youth between 5 and 24 years old

The report called for increasing investments in child health with low-cost interventions, such as 

<ul><li>vaccines</li><li>treatment for severe acute malnutrition</li><li>boost primary health care systems and community health workers</li><li>transparent data collection, tracking, and reporting</li><li>focus on mothers and children at highest risk </li><li>make quality healthcare more affordable </li></ul>“No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. But we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing – and at a time where we’re seeing further global budget cuts,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

“History has shown what is possible when the world commits to protecting its children. With sustained investment and political will, we can continue to build on those achievements for future generations,” Russell added.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

Child mortality

Newborn deaths

Children

Malaria

malnutrition

infectious diseases

diarrhea

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

pneumonia

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In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns, according to an alarming new report by the United Nations today. A majority of the deaths could have been prevented with proven, low-cost interventions and access to better health care, revealed the Levels & Trends in Child Mortality report. While child mortality under-five globally has fallen by more than half since 2000, the pace of reduction slowed down by more than 60 percent after 2015. “The world has made remarkable progress in saving children’s lives, but many still die from preventable causes,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Children living amid conflict and crisis are nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday. We must protect essential health and nutrition services and reach the most vulnerable families so every child has the chance not only to survive, but to thrive,” he added. Key Findings Children under five years:Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) claimed more than 100,000 children aged 1-59 months in 2024, mainly in Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan. Notably, malnutrition weakens children’s immunity and increases their risk of dying from common childhood diseases.  Newborn deaths -- nearly half of all under-five deaths occurred in newborns. Leading causes include:Complications from preterm birth (36 per cent) Complications during labor and delivery (21 percent)Infections, including neonatal sepsis and congenital anomalies In infants and toddlers, major killers were infectious diseases such as Malaria (17 percent), diarrhea, pneumoniaChildren and youth aged 5–24 -- an estimated 2.1 milliondied in 2024.Among younger children infectious diseases and injuries were the leading causes.In adolescents, self-harm was the leading cause of death among girls aged 15–19, and road traffic injuries among boys. Countries With Most DeathsDeaths remain concentrated in a handful of endemic countries – such as Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Nigeria. These countries share the most burden due to:conflict, climate shocks, invasive mosquitoes, drug resistance,Low access to prevention and treatment.Sub-Saharan Africa -- 58 per cent of all under-five deaths. Europe and Northern America -- 9 per cent Australia and New Zealand -- 6 per cent. Southern Asia -- 25 per cent of all under-five deaths Children and youth between 5 and 24 years old How To PreventThe report called for increasing investments in child health with low-cost interventions, such as vaccinestreatment for severe acute malnutritionboost primary health care systems and community health workerstransparent data collection, tracking, and reportingfocus on mothers and children at highest risk make quality healthcare  more affordable “No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. But we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing – and at a time where we’re seeing further global budget cuts,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.“History has shown what is possible when the world commits to protecting its children. With sustained investment and political will, we can continue to build on those achievements for future generations,” Russell added.