A young child receives a malaria vaccine in Sudan. Nearly five million children under the age of five die every year. Health
In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children, including 2.3 million newborns, died before their fifth birthday. New research findings highlight an alarming slowdown in global progress in combating child mortality.
Most of these deaths can be prevented with proven, affordable interventions.
The Child Mortality Levels and Trends report published by the UN Inter-Agency Child Mortality Assessment Group shows that while under-five mortality rates have more than halved since 2000, the pace of progress has slowed by more than 60 percent since 2015. The authors of the report note that such a study, which takes into account statistics from around the world and analyzes the causes of mortality, is being conducted for the first time.
Malnutrition and other major threats
More than 100 thousand children aged one month to five years died directly from severe acute malnutrition. The highest rates were recorded in Pakistan, Somalia and Sudan. This is the first global assessment of this mortality factor. Experts warn the actual number is likely higher because malnutrition weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to other dangerous diseases, and many cases go unreported.
“No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. However, we are seeing worrying signs that progress in preventing child deaths is slowing – and this comes against a backdrop of further cuts in global budgets,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
A child receives treatment for malnutrition at a WFP-supported clinic in South Sudan.
Infectious diseases remain a major threat, with nine infections responsible for 43 percent of all under-five deaths worldwide. After the first month of life, the leading causes of death remain diseases such as malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia. Deaths remain concentrated in a limited number of countries with endemic infections, including Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger and Nigeria, where conflict, climate shocks, vector spread, drug resistance and other threats continue to limit population access to prevention and treatment.
Newborn deaths now account for almost half of all deaths in children under five, reflecting slower progress in preventing deaths in this period of life. The main causes are complications associated with premature birth, as well as complications during childbirth and infections.
Children in conflict situations die more often
Geographic differences remain significant. In 2024, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 58 percent of all under-five deaths, with a further 25 percent in South Asia.
Children living in fragile and conflict-affected regions are almost three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday compared to children in other areas.
The report also notes that 2.1 million children, adolescents and young adults aged 5 to 24 died in 2024. Although infectious diseases and injuries remain the leading causes of death among younger children, the risk profile changes during adolescence: among girls aged 15 to 19 years, the leading cause of death is self-harm, and among boys, road traffic accidents.
UN officials warn that cuts in foreign aid are undermining efforts to protect maternal and child health.
Global goals
UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua called the findings a “stern reminder” that Many countries are falling behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Agenda goals.
“We know how to prevent these deaths. What is needed now is renewed political commitment, sustained investment in primary health care and stronger data systems to ensure that no child is left behind,” he said.
The report highlights that investing in children’s health is one of the most cost-effective development interventions. Vaccinations, nutrition programs and skilled birth attendants can save millions of lives.