Child mortality in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Child mortality was 0.5881 deaths per 100 live births in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
0.5881 deaths per 100 live births
Change on year
down 3.6%
World rank
151st
of 203 countries
All-time high
43.63 deaths per 100 live births
in 1911
All-time low
0.5881 deaths per 100 live births
in 2024
Years of data
225
1800–2024
Child mortality in Sri Lanka, 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 Sri Lanka is 0.5881 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 3.6% on the previous year and down 36.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality in Sri Lanka peaked at 43.63 deaths per 100 live births in 1911 and was at its lowest, 0.5881 deaths per 100 live births, in 2024.
Sri Lanka ranks 151st of 203 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.
Child mortality in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | — |
| 1801 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1802 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1803 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1804 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1805 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1806 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1807 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1809 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1810 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1811 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1812 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1813 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1814 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1815 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1816 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1817 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1818 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1819 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1820 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1821 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1822 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1823 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1824 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1825 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1826 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1827 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1828 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1829 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1830 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1831 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1832 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1833 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1835 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1836 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1837 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1838 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1839 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1840 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1841 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1842 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1843 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1844 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1845 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1846 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1847 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1849 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1850 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1851 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1853 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1854 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1855 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1856 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1857 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1858 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1859 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1860 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1861 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1862 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1865 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1866 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1867 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1868 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1869 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1870 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1871 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1873 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1874 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1875 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1876 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1877 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1878 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1879 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1881 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1882 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1883 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1884 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1886 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1887 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1889 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1891 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1893 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1894 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1895 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1896 | 40.97 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1897 | 40.96 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1898 | 40.94 deaths per 100 live births | -0.0% |
| 1899 | 40.92 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1900 | 40.89 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1901 | 40.85 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1902 | 41.19 deaths per 100 live births | +0.8% |
| 1903 | 41.4 deaths per 100 live births | +0.5% |
| 1904 | 41.73 deaths per 100 live births | +0.8% |
| 1905 | 42.05 deaths per 100 live births | +0.8% |
| 1906 | 42.24 deaths per 100 live births | +0.4% |
| 1907 | 42.55 deaths per 100 live births | +0.7% |
| 1908 | 42.86 deaths per 100 live births | +0.7% |
| 1909 | 43.17 deaths per 100 live births | +0.7% |
| 1910 | 43.33 deaths per 100 live births | +0.4% |
| 1911 | 43.63 deaths per 100 live births | +0.7% |
| 1912 | 43.26 deaths per 100 live births | -0.8% |
| 1913 | 42.9 deaths per 100 live births | -0.8% |
| 1914 | 42.53 deaths per 100 live births | -0.8% |
| 1915 | 42.17 deaths per 100 live births | -0.8% |
| 1916 | 41.68 deaths per 100 live births | -1.2% |
| 1917 | 41.33 deaths per 100 live births | -0.8% |
| 1918 | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | -0.9% |
| 1919 | 40.63 deaths per 100 live births | -0.9% |
| 1920 | 40.28 deaths per 100 live births | -0.9% |
| 1921 | 39.93 deaths per 100 live births | -0.9% |
| 1922 | 38.62 deaths per 100 live births | -3.3% |
| 1923 | 37.33 deaths per 100 live births | -3.3% |
| 1924 | 35.97 deaths per 100 live births | -3.7% |
| 1925 | 34.75 deaths per 100 live births | -3.4% |
| 1926 | 33.55 deaths per 100 live births | -3.4% |
| 1927 | 32.39 deaths per 100 live births | -3.5% |
| 1928 | 31.14 deaths per 100 live births | -3.8% |
| 1929 | 30.03 deaths per 100 live births | -3.6% |
| 1930 | 28.94 deaths per 100 live births | -3.6% |
| 1931 | 27.76 deaths per 100 live births | -4.1% |
| 1932 | 26.61 deaths per 100 live births | -4.1% |
| 1933 | 25.39 deaths per 100 live births | -4.6% |
| 1934 | 24.3 deaths per 100 live births | -4.3% |
| 1935 | 23.25 deaths per 100 live births | -4.4% |
| 1936 | 23.26 deaths per 100 live births | +0.1% |
| 1937 | 23.28 deaths per 100 live births | +0.1% |
| 1938 | 23.38 deaths per 100 live births | +0.4% |
| 1939 | 23.39 deaths per 100 live births | +0.1% |
| 1940 | 23.4 deaths per 100 live births | +0.0% |
| 1941 | 22.04 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1942 | 20.76 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1943 | 19.55 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1944 | 18.41 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1945 | 17.33 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1946 | 16.32 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1947 | 15.37 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1948 | 14.47 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1949 | 13.63 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1950 | 12.83 deaths per 100 live births | -5.8% |
| 1951 | 13.2 deaths per 100 live births | +2.9% |
| 1952 | 13.02 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1953 | 12.82 deaths per 100 live births | -1.6% |
| 1954 | 12.56 deaths per 100 live births | -2.0% |
| 1955 | 12.23 deaths per 100 live births | -2.6% |
| 1956 | 11.8 deaths per 100 live births | -3.5% |
| 1957 | 11.25 deaths per 100 live births | -4.7% |
| 1958 | 10.62 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 1959 | 9.99 deaths per 100 live births | -6.0% |
| 1960 | 9.41 deaths per 100 live births | -5.7% |
| 1961 | 8.96 deaths per 100 live births | -4.8% |
| 1962 | 8.67 deaths per 100 live births | -3.2% |
| 1963 | 8.48 deaths per 100 live births | -2.2% |
| 1964 | 8.3 deaths per 100 live births | -2.2% |
| 1965 | 8.07 deaths per 100 live births | -2.8% |
| 1966 | 7.81 deaths per 100 live births | -3.2% |
| 1967 | 7.55 deaths per 100 live births | -3.3% |
| 1968 | 7.31 deaths per 100 live births | -3.1% |
| 1969 | 7.13 deaths per 100 live births | -2.5% |
| 1970 | 7.01 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1971 | 6.91 deaths per 100 live births | -1.3% |
| 1972 | 6.83 deaths per 100 live births | -1.2% |
| 1973 | 6.73 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1974 | 6.59 deaths per 100 live births | -2.1% |
| 1975 | 6.38 deaths per 100 live births | -3.1% |
| 1976 | 6.11 deaths per 100 live births | -4.4% |
| 1977 | 5.76 deaths per 100 live births | -5.7% |
| 1978 | 5.37 deaths per 100 live births | -6.7% |
| 1979 | 4.99 deaths per 100 live births | -7.1% |
| 1980 | 4.63 deaths per 100 live births | -7.2% |
| 1981 | 4.29 deaths per 100 live births | -7.2% |
| 1982 | 3.98 deaths per 100 live births | -7.3% |
| 1983 | 3.67 deaths per 100 live births | -7.8% |
| 1984 | 3.35 deaths per 100 live births | -8.9% |
| 1985 | 3.02 deaths per 100 live births | -9.8% |
| 1986 | 2.74 deaths per 100 live births | -9.4% |
| 1987 | 2.53 deaths per 100 live births | -7.4% |
| 1988 | 2.41 deaths per 100 live births | -4.9% |
| 1989 | 2.79 deaths per 100 live births | +15.7% |
| 1990 | 2.33 deaths per 100 live births | -16.3% |
| 1991 | 2.32 deaths per 100 live births | -0.3% |
| 1992 | 2.29 deaths per 100 live births | -1.5% |
| 1993 | 2.22 deaths per 100 live births | -2.9% |
| 1994 | 2.14 deaths per 100 live births | -3.7% |
| 1995 | 2.05 deaths per 100 live births | -4.2% |
| 1996 | 1.95 deaths per 100 live births | -4.7% |
| 1997 | 1.86 deaths per 100 live births | -5.0% |
| 1998 | 1.76 deaths per 100 live births | -4.9% |
| 1999 | 1.69 deaths per 100 live births | -4.4% |
| 2000 | 1.63 deaths per 100 live births | -3.5% |
| 2001 | 1.58 deaths per 100 live births | -2.7% |
| 2002 | 1.55 deaths per 100 live births | -2.1% |
| 2003 | 1.52 deaths per 100 live births | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 2.9 deaths per 100 live births | +91.2% |
| 2005 | 1.4 deaths per 100 live births | -51.6% |
| 2006 | 1.33 deaths per 100 live births | -5.2% |
| 2007 | 1.26 deaths per 100 live births | -5.1% |
| 2008 | 1.2 deaths per 100 live births | -4.7% |
| 2009 | 2.15 deaths per 100 live births | +78.3% |
| 2010 | 1.12 deaths per 100 live births | -47.9% |
| 2011 | 1.08 deaths per 100 live births | -3.4% |
| 2012 | 1.03 deaths per 100 live births | -4.4% |
| 2013 | 0.9783 deaths per 100 live births | -5.2% |
| 2014 | 0.9244 deaths per 100 live births | -5.5% |
| 2015 | 0.8742 deaths per 100 live births | -5.4% |
| 2016 | 0.8294 deaths per 100 live births | -5.1% |
| 2017 | 0.7905 deaths per 100 live births | -4.7% |
| 2018 | 0.7561 deaths per 100 live births | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 0.7235 deaths per 100 live births | -4.3% |
| 2020 | 0.6919 deaths per 100 live births | -4.4% |
| 2021 | 0.6622 deaths per 100 live births | -4.3% |
| 2022 | 0.6349 deaths per 100 live births | -4.1% |
| 2023 | 0.6102 deaths per 100 live births | -3.9% |
| 2024 | 0.5881 deaths per 100 live births | -3.6% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 0.5881 deaths per 100 live births is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.3 deaths per 100 live births, 45% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 0.5881 deaths per 100 live births is below the median for South Asia, which is 2.11 deaths per 100 live births, 28% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Child mortality in Sri Lanka changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +91.2% | 1.52 deaths per 100 live births | 2.9 deaths per 100 live births |
| 2009 | +78.3% | 1.2 deaths per 100 live births | 2.15 deaths per 100 live births |
| 2005 | -51.6% | 2.9 deaths per 100 live births | 1.4 deaths per 100 live births |
| 2010 | -47.9% | 2.15 deaths per 100 live births | 1.12 deaths per 100 live births |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1800s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1810s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1820s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1830s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1840s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1850s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1860s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1870s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1880s | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1890s | 40.97 deaths per 100 live births | 40.92 deaths per 100 live births | 40.98 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1900s | 41.89 deaths per 100 live births | 40.85 deaths per 100 live births | 43.17 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1910s | 42.24 deaths per 100 live births | 40.63 deaths per 100 live births | 43.63 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1920s | 35.4 deaths per 100 live births | 30.03 deaths per 100 live births | 40.28 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1930s | 24.96 deaths per 100 live births | 23.25 deaths per 100 live births | 28.94 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1940s | 18.13 deaths per 100 live births | 13.63 deaths per 100 live births | 23.4 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1950s | 12.03 deaths per 100 live births | 9.99 deaths per 100 live births | 13.2 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1960s | 8.17 deaths per 100 live births | 7.13 deaths per 100 live births | 9.41 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1970s | 6.27 deaths per 100 live births | 4.99 deaths per 100 live births | 7.01 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.34 deaths per 100 live births | 2.41 deaths per 100 live births | 4.63 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.06 deaths per 100 live births | 1.69 deaths per 100 live births | 2.33 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.65 deaths per 100 live births | 1.2 deaths per 100 live births | 2.9 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.9106 deaths per 100 live births | 0.7235 deaths per 100 live births | 1.12 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.6374 deaths per 100 live births | 0.5881 deaths per 100 live births | 0.6919 deaths per 100 live births | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
- 148 Slovakia 0.6286 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 149 Saudi Arabia 0.5958 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 150 Qatar 0.5885 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 152 Bulgaria 0.5736 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 153 China 0.5724 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 154 Croatia 0.5646 deaths per 100 live births compare
More health data for Sri Lanka
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.62 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7332 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,250 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 304 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.13 % 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 0.0339 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.12 % 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 Sri Lanka?
- Child mortality in Sri Lanka was 0.5881 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 43.63 deaths per 100 live births in 1911.
- What is the lowest child mortality recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.5881 deaths per 100 live births in 2024.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for child mortality?
- Sri Lanka ranks 151st out of 203 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child mortality rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.