3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in North Korea

North Korea: 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) was 15.4 in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
15.4
Change on year
down 6.7%
World rank
96th
of 199 countries
All-time high
60
in 2000
All-time low
15.4
in 2021
Years of data
22
2000–2021

3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate in North Korea, 2000–2021

20304050602000201020212000: 602001: 52.12002: 44.72003: 38.92004: 352005: 332006: 32.42007: 32.22008: 31.82009: 312010: 29.52011: 27.72012: 25.72013: 242014: 22.42015: 21.12016: 202017: 192018: 18.22019: 17.32020: 16.52021: 15.4

Source: UNICEF.

Analysis

The most recent figure for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in North Korea is 15.4, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.

The figure is down 6.7% on the previous year and down 44.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in North Korea peaked at 60 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 15.4, in 2021.

That places North Korea 96th out of 199 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.

3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in North Korea, year by year

Annual values for 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in North Korea, 2000 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2000 60 —
2001 52.1 -13.2%
2002 44.7 -14.2%
2003 38.9 -13.0%
2004 35 -10.0%
2005 33 -5.7%
2006 32.4 -1.8%
2007 32.2 -0.6%
2008 31.8 -1.2%
2009 31 -2.5%
2010 29.5 -4.8%
2011 27.7 -6.1%
2012 25.7 -7.2%
2013 24 -6.6%
2014 22.4 -6.7%
2015 21.1 -5.8%
2016 20 -5.2%
2017 19 -5.0%
2018 18.2 -4.2%
2019 17.3 -4.9%
2020 16.5 -4.6%
2021 15.4 -6.7%

North Korea compared with similar countries

  • North Korea's 15.4 is below the median for low income countries, which is 66, 23% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
  • North Korea's 15.4 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 19.7, 78% of the median. (30 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 39.11 31 60 10
2010s 22.49 17.3 29.5 10
2020s 15.95 15.4 16.5 2

Countries ranked near North Korea

  1. 94 Grenada 16.2 compare
  2. 94 Palau 16.2 compare
  3. 96 Sao Tome and Principe 15.4 compare
  4. 98 Palestine 14.8 compare
  5. 99 Mongolia 14.7 compare

See the full ranking of 199 places →

More health data for North Korea

All data for North Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in North Korea?
3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in North Korea was 15.4 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
What is the highest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in North Korea?
The highest recorded value was 60 in 2000.
What is the lowest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in North Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 15.4 in 2021.
How does North Korea rank for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate?
North Korea ranks 96th out of 199 countries with data for 2021.
Is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate rising or falling in North Korea?
Over the last ten years it is down 44.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this North Korea data come from?
The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate in North Korea. Statizoid, drawing on UNICEF. Retrieved 11 November 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/3-2-1-under-five-mortality-rate-deaths-per-1-000-live-births/korea-dem-people-s-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births)
Source
UNICEF
Licence
UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
199 places, 4,378 data points, 2000–2021
Last refreshed