Child mortality in South Korea
South Korea: Child mortality was 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
0.2796 deaths per 100 live births
Change on year
down 1.9%
World rank
186th
of 203 countries
All-time high
53.16 deaths per 100 live births
in 1908
All-time low
0.2796 deaths per 100 live births
in 2024
Years of data
225
1800–2024
Child mortality in South Korea, 1800–2024
Source: Gapminder (2015); UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100 live births.
Analysis
The most recent figure for child mortality in South Korea is 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 225 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.9% on the previous year and down 22.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality in South Korea peaked at 53.16 deaths per 100 live births in 1908 and was at its lowest, 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births, in 2024.
That places South Korea 186th out of 203 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Child mortality in South Korea, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | — |
| 1801 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1895 | 50.33 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1896 | 50.32 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1897 | 50.31 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1898 | 50.29 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1899 | 50.26 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1900 | 50.23 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1901 | 50.18 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1902 | 50.13 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1903 | 50.07 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1904 | 50.76 deaths per 100 live births | +1.4% |
| 1905 | 51.28 deaths per 100 live births | +1.0% |
| 1906 | 51.96 deaths per 100 live births | +1.3% |
| 1907 | 52.48 deaths per 100 live births | +1.0% |
| 1908 | 53.16 deaths per 100 live births | +1.3% |
| 1909 | 52.58 deaths per 100 live births | -1.1% |
| 1910 | 52 deaths per 100 live births | -1.1% |
| 1911 | 51.42 deaths per 100 live births | -1.1% |
| 1912 | 50.85 deaths per 100 live births | -1.1% |
| 1913 | 50.27 deaths per 100 live births | -1.1% |
| 1914 | 49.56 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1915 | 48.86 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1916 | 48.17 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1917 | 47.48 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1918 | 46.8 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1919 | 46 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1920 | 45.2 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1921 | 44.42 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1922 | 43.65 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1923 | 42.89 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1924 | 41.76 deaths per 100 live births | -2.6% |
| 1925 | 40.53 deaths per 100 live births | -3.0% |
| 1926 | 39.44 deaths per 100 live births | -2.7% |
| 1927 | 38.38 deaths per 100 live births | -2.7% |
| 1928 | 37.34 deaths per 100 live births | -2.7% |
| 1929 | 36.32 deaths per 100 live births | -2.7% |
| 1930 | 35.44 deaths per 100 live births | -2.4% |
| 1931 | 34.53 deaths per 100 live births | -2.6% |
| 1932 | 33.75 deaths per 100 live births | -2.3% |
| 1933 | 32.87 deaths per 100 live births | -2.6% |
| 1934 | 31.8 deaths per 100 live births | -3.3% |
| 1935 | 30.64 deaths per 100 live births | -3.6% |
| 1936 | 29.6 deaths per 100 live births | -3.4% |
| 1937 | 28.59 deaths per 100 live births | -3.4% |
| 1938 | 27.5 deaths per 100 live births | -3.8% |
| 1939 | 26.9 deaths per 100 live births | -2.2% |
| 1940 | 26.41 deaths per 100 live births | -1.8% |
| 1941 | 27.28 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1942 | 28.17 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1943 | 29.09 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1944 | 30.05 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1945 | 31.03 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1946 | 32.05 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1947 | 33.1 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1948 | 34.18 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1949 | 35.3 deaths per 100 live births | +3.3% |
| 1950 | 36.94 deaths per 100 live births | +4.7% |
| 1951 | 31.29 deaths per 100 live births | -15.3% |
| 1952 | 26.61 deaths per 100 live births | -15.0% |
| 1953 | 22.76 deaths per 100 live births | -14.5% |
| 1954 | 19.66 deaths per 100 live births | -13.6% |
| 1955 | 17.23 deaths per 100 live births | -12.3% |
| 1956 | 15.37 deaths per 100 live births | -10.8% |
| 1957 | 13.92 deaths per 100 live births | -9.4% |
| 1958 | 12.82 deaths per 100 live births | -7.9% |
| 1959 | 11.97 deaths per 100 live births | -6.7% |
| 1960 | 11.29 deaths per 100 live births | -5.7% |
| 1961 | 10.72 deaths per 100 live births | -5.0% |
| 1962 | 10.23 deaths per 100 live births | -4.7% |
| 1963 | 9.74 deaths per 100 live births | -4.8% |
| 1964 | 9.24 deaths per 100 live births | -5.1% |
| 1965 | 8.73 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 1966 | 8.19 deaths per 100 live births | -6.1% |
| 1967 | 7.65 deaths per 100 live births | -6.7% |
| 1968 | 7.11 deaths per 100 live births | -7.0% |
| 1969 | 6.6 deaths per 100 live births | -7.2% |
| 1970 | 6.14 deaths per 100 live births | -7.1% |
| 1971 | 5.72 deaths per 100 live births | -6.8% |
| 1972 | 5.37 deaths per 100 live births | -6.2% |
| 1973 | 5.08 deaths per 100 live births | -5.4% |
| 1974 | 4.83 deaths per 100 live births | -4.8% |
| 1975 | 4.62 deaths per 100 live births | -4.4% |
| 1976 | 4.42 deaths per 100 live births | -4.2% |
| 1977 | 4.24 deaths per 100 live births | -4.3% |
| 1978 | 4.04 deaths per 100 live births | -4.5% |
| 1979 | 3.85 deaths per 100 live births | -4.9% |
| 1980 | 3.63 deaths per 100 live births | -5.7% |
| 1981 | 3.4 deaths per 100 live births | -6.3% |
| 1982 | 3.16 deaths per 100 live births | -6.9% |
| 1983 | 2.93 deaths per 100 live births | -7.5% |
| 1984 | 2.69 deaths per 100 live births | -8.0% |
| 1985 | 2.46 deaths per 100 live births | -8.5% |
| 1986 | 2.24 deaths per 100 live births | -8.8% |
| 1987 | 2.05 deaths per 100 live births | -8.8% |
| 1988 | 1.87 deaths per 100 live births | -8.7% |
| 1989 | 1.71 deaths per 100 live births | -8.5% |
| 1990 | 1.57 deaths per 100 live births | -8.2% |
| 1991 | 1.45 deaths per 100 live births | -7.9% |
| 1992 | 1.33 deaths per 100 live births | -7.8% |
| 1993 | 1.23 deaths per 100 live births | -7.7% |
| 1994 | 1.14 deaths per 100 live births | -7.6% |
| 1995 | 1.05 deaths per 100 live births | -7.4% |
| 1996 | 0.9785 deaths per 100 live births | -7.2% |
| 1997 | 0.9109 deaths per 100 live births | -6.9% |
| 1998 | 0.8515 deaths per 100 live births | -6.5% |
| 1999 | 0.7999 deaths per 100 live births | -6.1% |
| 2000 | 0.7553 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 2001 | 0.7156 deaths per 100 live births | -5.3% |
| 2002 | 0.6772 deaths per 100 live births | -5.4% |
| 2003 | 0.6381 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 2004 | 0.5981 deaths per 100 live births | -6.3% |
| 2005 | 0.5572 deaths per 100 live births | -6.8% |
| 2006 | 0.518 deaths per 100 live births | -7.0% |
| 2007 | 0.4832 deaths per 100 live births | -6.7% |
| 2008 | 0.4543 deaths per 100 live births | -6.0% |
| 2009 | 0.4307 deaths per 100 live births | -5.2% |
| 2010 | 0.4124 deaths per 100 live births | -4.3% |
| 2011 | 0.3976 deaths per 100 live births | -3.6% |
| 2012 | 0.3848 deaths per 100 live births | -3.2% |
| 2013 | 0.3728 deaths per 100 live births | -3.1% |
| 2014 | 0.3616 deaths per 100 live births | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 0.3512 deaths per 100 live births | -2.9% |
| 2016 | 0.3413 deaths per 100 live births | -2.8% |
| 2017 | 0.3319 deaths per 100 live births | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 0.3225 deaths per 100 live births | -2.8% |
| 2019 | 0.3136 deaths per 100 live births | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 0.3051 deaths per 100 live births | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 0.2973 deaths per 100 live births | -2.5% |
| 2022 | 0.2906 deaths per 100 live births | -2.3% |
| 2023 | 0.285 deaths per 100 live births | -1.9% |
| 2024 | 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births | -1.9% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births is below the median for high income countries, which is 0.4653 deaths per 100 live births, 60% of the median. (67 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.71 deaths per 100 live births, 16% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1810s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1820s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1830s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1840s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1850s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1860s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1870s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1880s | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1890s | 50.32 deaths per 100 live births | 50.26 deaths per 100 live births | 50.34 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1900s | 51.28 deaths per 100 live births | 50.07 deaths per 100 live births | 53.16 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1910s | 49.14 deaths per 100 live births | 46 deaths per 100 live births | 52 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1920s | 40.99 deaths per 100 live births | 36.32 deaths per 100 live births | 45.2 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1930s | 31.16 deaths per 100 live births | 26.9 deaths per 100 live births | 35.44 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1940s | 30.67 deaths per 100 live births | 26.41 deaths per 100 live births | 35.3 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1950s | 20.86 deaths per 100 live births | 11.97 deaths per 100 live births | 36.94 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1960s | 8.95 deaths per 100 live births | 6.6 deaths per 100 live births | 11.29 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.83 deaths per 100 live births | 3.85 deaths per 100 live births | 6.14 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.61 deaths per 100 live births | 1.71 deaths per 100 live births | 3.63 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.13 deaths per 100 live births | 0.7999 deaths per 100 live births | 1.57 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.5828 deaths per 100 live births | 0.4307 deaths per 100 live births | 0.7553 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.359 deaths per 100 live births | 0.3136 deaths per 100 live births | 0.4124 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.2915 deaths per 100 live births | 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births | 0.3051 deaths per 100 live births | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 183 Spain 0.3193 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 184 Iceland 0.282 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 185 North Macedonia 0.2803 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 187 Italy 0.2702 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 188 Singapore 0.268 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 189 Monaco 0.2661 deaths per 100 live births compare
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)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,072 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 69 deaths (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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is child mortality in South Korea?
- Child mortality in South Korea was 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births in 2024, according to Gapminder (2015); UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest child mortality recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 53.16 deaths per 100 live births in 1908.
- What is the lowest child mortality recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2796 deaths per 100 live births in 2024.
- How does South Korea rank for child mortality?
- South Korea ranks 186th out of 203 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child mortality rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Gapminder (2015); UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Child mortality. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of newborns who die before reaching the age of five.