Child deaths (aged 1-4 years) in China
China: Child deaths was 17,855 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
17,855
Change on year
down 15.8%
World rank
20th
of 200 countries
All-time high
619,421
in 1974
All-time low
17,855
in 2024
Years of data
51
1974–2024
Child deaths in China, 1974–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
China recorded 17,855 for child deaths in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 51 years on record.
The figure is down 15.8% on the previous year and down 63.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child deaths in China peaked at 619,421 in 1974 and was at its lowest, 17,855, in 2024.
That places China 20th out of 200 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Child deaths in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 619,421 | — |
| 1975 | 553,108 | -10.7% |
| 1976 | 485,963 | -12.1% |
| 1977 | 423,506 | -12.9% |
| 1978 | 366,843 | -13.4% |
| 1979 | 320,576 | -12.6% |
| 1980 | 289,260 | -9.8% |
| 1981 | 270,226 | -6.6% |
| 1982 | 260,423 | -3.6% |
| 1983 | 258,920 | -0.6% |
| 1984 | 256,882 | -0.8% |
| 1985 | 252,645 | -1.6% |
| 1986 | 251,363 | -0.5% |
| 1987 | 252,096 | +0.3% |
| 1988 | 259,178 | +2.8% |
| 1989 | 267,747 | +3.3% |
| 1990 | 271,888 | +1.5% |
| 1991 | 272,731 | +0.3% |
| 1992 | 261,583 | -4.1% |
| 1993 | 240,802 | -7.9% |
| 1994 | 217,291 | -9.8% |
| 1995 | 191,035 | -12.1% |
| 1996 | 169,966 | -11.0% |
| 1997 | 155,630 | -8.4% |
| 1998 | 142,757 | -8.3% |
| 1999 | 130,534 | -8.6% |
| 2000 | 118,957 | -8.9% |
| 2001 | 108,853 | -8.5% |
| 2002 | 99,721 | -8.4% |
| 2003 | 91,073 | -8.7% |
| 2004 | 83,229 | -8.6% |
| 2005 | 75,946 | -8.8% |
| 2006 | 69,892 | -8.0% |
| 2007 | 65,387 | -6.4% |
| 2008 | 61,894 | -5.3% |
| 2009 | 59,135 | -4.5% |
| 2010 | 56,866 | -3.8% |
| 2011 | 54,692 | -3.8% |
| 2012 | 52,401 | -4.2% |
| 2013 | 50,354 | -3.9% |
| 2014 | 48,345 | -4.0% |
| 2015 | 46,245 | -4.3% |
| 2016 | 44,136 | -4.6% |
| 2017 | 41,647 | -5.6% |
| 2018 | 39,429 | -5.3% |
| 2019 | 36,706 | -6.9% |
| 2020 | 33,524 | -8.7% |
| 2021 | 29,816 | -11.1% |
| 2022 | 25,287 | -15.2% |
| 2023 | 21,203 | -16.2% |
| 2024 | 17,855 | -15.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 17,855 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 165, 108.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 17,855 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 139, 128.5× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 461,570 | 320,576 | 619,421 | 6 |
| 1980s | 261,874 | 251,363 | 289,260 | 10 |
| 1990s | 205,422 | 130,534 | 272,731 | 10 |
| 2000s | 83,409 | 59,135 | 118,957 | 10 |
| 2010s | 47,082 | 36,706 | 56,866 | 10 |
| 2020s | 25,537 | 17,855 | 33,524 | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
- 17 Mozambique 19,024 compare
- 18 Madagascar 18,942 compare
- 19 Tanzania 18,706 compare
- 21 Guinea 15,400 compare
- 22 Benin 13,749 compare
- 23 South Africa 12,865 compare
More health data for China
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.15 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.0985 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,029 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,642 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 10 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -8.22 % 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 0.0159 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -8.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is child deaths in China?
- Child deaths in China was 17,855 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest child deaths recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 619,421 in 1974.
- What is the lowest child deaths recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 17,855 in 2024.
- How does China rank for child deaths?
- China ranks 20th out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child deaths rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 63.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Child deaths (aged 1-4 years). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 51 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).