3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in Malawi
Malawi: 3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) was 41.9 in 2021. ▼ Falling
3.2.1 Under-five mortality rate in Malawi, 2000–2021
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in Malawi is 41.9, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.
That represents a change of down 3.7% on the previous year and down 45.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in Malawi peaked at 174.2 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 41.9, in 2021.
That places Malawi 44th out of 199 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 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 Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 174.2 | — |
| 2001 | 160.4 | -7.9% |
| 2002 | 145.7 | -9.2% |
| 2003 | 131.8 | -9.5% |
| 2004 | 119.7 | -9.2% |
| 2005 | 110.4 | -7.8% |
| 2006 | 103.9 | -5.9% |
| 2007 | 99.1 | -4.6% |
| 2008 | 93.4 | -5.8% |
| 2009 | 88.1 | -5.7% |
| 2010 | 83 | -5.8% |
| 2011 | 76.9 | -7.3% |
| 2012 | 70.5 | -8.3% |
| 2013 | 64.5 | -8.5% |
| 2014 | 59.8 | -7.3% |
| 2015 | 56.6 | -5.4% |
| 2016 | 53.5 | -5.5% |
| 2017 | 50.7 | -5.2% |
| 2018 | 47.8 | -5.7% |
| 2019 | 45.6 | -4.6% |
| 2020 | 43.5 | -4.6% |
| 2021 | 41.9 | -3.7% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 41.9 is below the median for low income countries, which is 66, 63% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 41.9 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 53.75, 78% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 122.67 | 88.1 | 174.2 | 10 |
| 2010s | 60.89 | 45.6 | 83 | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.7 | 41.9 | 43.5 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 41 Papua New Guinea 42.8 compare
- 42 Laos 42.5 compare
- 43 Uganda 42.1 compare
- 45 Myanmar 41.8 compare
- 46 Turkmenistan 41.4 compare
- 47 Mauritania 40.5 compare
More health data for Malawi
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8368 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.9312 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 6,399 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.61 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0714 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.63 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0718 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in Malawi?
- 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate in Malawi was 41.9 in 2021, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 174.2 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 41.9 in 2021.
- How does Malawi rank for 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate?
- Malawi ranks 44th out of 199 countries with data for 2021.
- Is 3.2.1 under-five mortality rate rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 45.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malawi 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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