3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in South Korea
South Korea: 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) was 2.9 in 2021. ▼ Falling
3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate in South Korea, 2000–2021
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 2.9 for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.
That represents a change of down 3.3% on the previous year and down 27.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in South Korea peaked at 7.5 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 2.9, in 2021.
That places South Korea 182nd out of 199 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 7.5 | — |
| 2001 | 7.1 | -5.3% |
| 2002 | 6.8 | -4.2% |
| 2003 | 6.4 | -5.9% |
| 2004 | 6 | -6.3% |
| 2005 | 5.6 | -6.7% |
| 2006 | 5.2 | -7.1% |
| 2007 | 4.8 | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 4.5 | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 4.3 | -4.4% |
| 2010 | 4.1 | -4.7% |
| 2011 | 4 | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 3.8 | -5.0% |
| 2013 | 3.7 | -2.6% |
| 2014 | 3.6 | -2.7% |
| 2015 | 3.5 | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 3.4 | -2.9% |
| 2017 | 3.3 | -2.9% |
| 2018 | 3.2 | -3.0% |
| 2019 | 3.1 | -3.1% |
| 2020 | 3 | -3.2% |
| 2021 | 2.9 | -3.3% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 2.9 is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.3, 67% of the median. (65 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 2.9 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 19.7, 15% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.82 | 4.3 | 7.5 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.57 | 3.1 | 4.1 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.95 | 2.9 | 3 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More health data for South Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.43 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.1935 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 69 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.66 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0118 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.76 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0124 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in South Korea?
- 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in South Korea was 2.9 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 7.5 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9 in 2021.
- How does South Korea rank for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate?
- South Korea ranks 182nd out of 199 countries with data for 2021.
- Is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South 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.
Download this data
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