Child mortality rate in India
India: Child mortality rate was 2.8% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Child mortality rate in India, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children.
Analysis
The most recent figure for child mortality rate in India is 2.8%, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 74 years on record.
The figure is down 5.4% on the previous year and down 43.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality rate in India peaked at 29.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.8%, in 2023.
India ranks 65th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 26.8% | 24.6% | 29.5% | 10 |
| 1960s | 23.3% | 21.6% | 24.2% | 10 |
| 1970s | 19.6% | 17.5% | 21.3% | 10 |
| 1980s | 14.9% | 13.0% | 16.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 11.1% | 9.5% | 12.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.6% | 6.1% | 9.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.5% | 3.4% | 5.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.0% | 2.8% | 3.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near India
- 62 Western Sahara 2.8% compare
- 63 Marshall Islands 2.8% compare
- 64 Philippines 2.8% compare
- 66 Bangladesh 2.8% compare
- 67 Nepal 2.6% compare
- 68 West Bank and Gaza 2.6% compare
More health data for India
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,332 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 44,822 deaths (2100)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 76 deaths (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts based on where they occurred 76 deaths (2026)
- Age population, age 09, female, interpolated 11.50 million (2025)
- Age population, age 11, male, interpolated 12.66 million (2025)
- Age population, age 11, female, interpolated 11.58 million (2025)
- Age population, age 10, male, interpolated 12.49 million (2025)
- Age population, age 10, female, interpolated 11.43 million (2025)
- Age population, age 09, male, interpolated 12.55 million (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is child mortality rate in India?
- Child mortality rate in India was 2.8% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest child mortality rate recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 29.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest child mortality rate recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8% in 2023.
- How does India rank for child mortality rate?
- India ranks 65th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is child mortality rate rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Child mortality rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 74 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The share of children who die before reaching the age of 5.