Child mortality in Zambia
Zambia: Child mortality was 4.84 deaths per 100 live births in 2024. ▼ Falling
Latest (2024)
4.84 deaths per 100 live births
Change on year
down 1.6%
World rank
32nd
of 203 countries
All-time high
40.98 deaths per 100 live births
in 1800
All-time low
4.84 deaths per 100 live births
in 2024
Years of data
225
1800–2024
Child mortality in Zambia, 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
Zambia recorded 4.84 deaths per 100 live births for child mortality in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 225 years on record.
The figure is down 1.6% on the previous year and down 22.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, child mortality in Zambia peaked at 40.98 deaths per 100 live births in 1800 and was at its lowest, 4.84 deaths per 100 live births, in 2024.
Zambia ranks 32nd of 203 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 225 years of available data.
Child mortality in Zambia, 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 | 40.81 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1903 | 40.77 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1904 | 40.71 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1905 | 40.65 deaths per 100 live births | -0.1% |
| 1906 | 40.58 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1907 | 40.51 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1908 | 40.43 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1909 | 40.34 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1910 | 40.25 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1911 | 40.16 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1912 | 40.06 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1913 | 39.97 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1914 | 39.87 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1915 | 39.78 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1916 | 39.68 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1917 | 39.58 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1918 | 39.49 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1919 | 39.39 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1920 | 39.3 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1921 | 39.2 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1922 | 39.1 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1923 | 39.01 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1924 | 38.91 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1925 | 38.81 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1926 | 38.72 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1927 | 38.62 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1928 | 38.53 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1929 | 38.43 deaths per 100 live births | -0.2% |
| 1930 | 38.33 deaths per 100 live births | -0.3% |
| 1931 | 38.09 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1932 | 37.85 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1933 | 37.61 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1934 | 37.37 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1935 | 37.13 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1936 | 36.89 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1937 | 36.65 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1938 | 36.41 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1939 | 36.17 deaths per 100 live births | -0.7% |
| 1940 | 35.94 deaths per 100 live births | -0.7% |
| 1941 | 35.7 deaths per 100 live births | -0.7% |
| 1942 | 35.47 deaths per 100 live births | -0.7% |
| 1943 | 35.23 deaths per 100 live births | -0.7% |
| 1944 | 35 deaths per 100 live births | -0.7% |
| 1945 | 33.02 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 1946 | 31.16 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 1947 | 29.4 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 1948 | 27.74 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 1949 | 26.17 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 1950 | 24.69 deaths per 100 live births | -5.7% |
| 1951 | 24.47 deaths per 100 live births | -0.9% |
| 1952 | 23.75 deaths per 100 live births | -2.9% |
| 1953 | 23.38 deaths per 100 live births | -1.6% |
| 1954 | 22.92 deaths per 100 live births | -2.0% |
| 1955 | 22.52 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1956 | 22.11 deaths per 100 live births | -1.8% |
| 1957 | 21.69 deaths per 100 live births | -1.9% |
| 1958 | 21.3 deaths per 100 live births | -1.8% |
| 1959 | 20.9 deaths per 100 live births | -1.9% |
| 1960 | 20.5 deaths per 100 live births | -1.9% |
| 1961 | 20.13 deaths per 100 live births | -1.8% |
| 1962 | 19.78 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 1963 | 19.48 deaths per 100 live births | -1.6% |
| 1964 | 19.22 deaths per 100 live births | -1.3% |
| 1965 | 19.03 deaths per 100 live births | -1.0% |
| 1966 | 18.88 deaths per 100 live births | -0.8% |
| 1967 | 18.78 deaths per 100 live births | -0.6% |
| 1968 | 18.63 deaths per 100 live births | -0.8% |
| 1969 | 18.39 deaths per 100 live births | -1.3% |
| 1970 | 18.02 deaths per 100 live births | -2.0% |
| 1971 | 17.54 deaths per 100 live births | -2.6% |
| 1972 | 17 deaths per 100 live births | -3.1% |
| 1973 | 16.46 deaths per 100 live births | -3.1% |
| 1974 | 15.98 deaths per 100 live births | -2.9% |
| 1975 | 15.62 deaths per 100 live births | -2.3% |
| 1976 | 15.4 deaths per 100 live births | -1.4% |
| 1977 | 15.35 deaths per 100 live births | -0.3% |
| 1978 | 15.39 deaths per 100 live births | +0.2% |
| 1979 | 15.43 deaths per 100 live births | +0.3% |
| 1980 | 15.49 deaths per 100 live births | +0.4% |
| 1981 | 15.56 deaths per 100 live births | +0.4% |
| 1982 | 15.68 deaths per 100 live births | +0.8% |
| 1983 | 15.9 deaths per 100 live births | +1.4% |
| 1984 | 16.21 deaths per 100 live births | +2.0% |
| 1985 | 16.58 deaths per 100 live births | +2.3% |
| 1986 | 16.98 deaths per 100 live births | +2.4% |
| 1987 | 17.37 deaths per 100 live births | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 17.69 deaths per 100 live births | +1.8% |
| 1989 | 17.94 deaths per 100 live births | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 18.07 deaths per 100 live births | +0.7% |
| 1991 | 18.09 deaths per 100 live births | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 18.02 deaths per 100 live births | -0.3% |
| 1993 | 17.85 deaths per 100 live births | -1.0% |
| 1994 | 17.58 deaths per 100 live births | -1.5% |
| 1995 | 17.22 deaths per 100 live births | -2.0% |
| 1996 | 16.87 deaths per 100 live births | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 16.56 deaths per 100 live births | -1.8% |
| 1998 | 16.25 deaths per 100 live births | -1.9% |
| 1999 | 15.81 deaths per 100 live births | -2.7% |
| 2000 | 15.18 deaths per 100 live births | -4.0% |
| 2001 | 14.32 deaths per 100 live births | -5.6% |
| 2002 | 13.29 deaths per 100 live births | -7.2% |
| 2003 | 12.21 deaths per 100 live births | -8.1% |
| 2004 | 11.17 deaths per 100 live births | -8.5% |
| 2005 | 10.27 deaths per 100 live births | -8.1% |
| 2006 | 9.48 deaths per 100 live births | -7.7% |
| 2007 | 8.91 deaths per 100 live births | -6.0% |
| 2008 | 8.42 deaths per 100 live births | -5.4% |
| 2009 | 7.84 deaths per 100 live births | -6.9% |
| 2010 | 7.43 deaths per 100 live births | -5.2% |
| 2011 | 7.18 deaths per 100 live births | -3.4% |
| 2012 | 6.92 deaths per 100 live births | -3.7% |
| 2013 | 6.6 deaths per 100 live births | -4.7% |
| 2014 | 6.26 deaths per 100 live births | -5.2% |
| 2015 | 6.02 deaths per 100 live births | -3.9% |
| 2016 | 5.71 deaths per 100 live births | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 5.52 deaths per 100 live births | -3.5% |
| 2018 | 5.47 deaths per 100 live births | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 5.35 deaths per 100 live births | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 5.25 deaths per 100 live births | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 5.04 deaths per 100 live births | -4.0% |
| 2022 | 4.95 deaths per 100 live births | -1.7% |
| 2023 | 4.91 deaths per 100 live births | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 4.84 deaths per 100 live births | -1.6% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 4.84 deaths per 100 live births is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.69 deaths per 100 live births, 1.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 4.84 deaths per 100 live births is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.89 deaths per 100 live births, 99% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
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 | 40.65 deaths per 100 live births | 40.34 deaths per 100 live births | 40.89 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1910s | 39.82 deaths per 100 live births | 39.39 deaths per 100 live births | 40.25 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1920s | 38.86 deaths per 100 live births | 38.43 deaths per 100 live births | 39.3 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1930s | 37.25 deaths per 100 live births | 36.17 deaths per 100 live births | 38.33 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1940s | 32.48 deaths per 100 live births | 26.17 deaths per 100 live births | 35.94 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1950s | 22.77 deaths per 100 live births | 20.9 deaths per 100 live births | 24.69 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1960s | 19.28 deaths per 100 live births | 18.39 deaths per 100 live births | 20.5 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1970s | 16.22 deaths per 100 live births | 15.35 deaths per 100 live births | 18.02 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1980s | 16.54 deaths per 100 live births | 15.49 deaths per 100 live births | 17.94 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 1990s | 17.23 deaths per 100 live births | 15.81 deaths per 100 live births | 18.09 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 11.11 deaths per 100 live births | 7.84 deaths per 100 live births | 15.18 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.25 deaths per 100 live births | 5.35 deaths per 100 live births | 7.43 deaths per 100 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 5 deaths per 100 live births | 4.84 deaths per 100 live births | 5.25 deaths per 100 live births | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 29 Djibouti 4.89 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 30 Malawi 4.88 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 31 Uganda 4.87 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 33 East Timor 4.76 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 34 Burundi 4.71 deaths per 100 live births compare
- 35 Eswatini 4.51 deaths per 100 live births compare
More health data for Zambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7971 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 809.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 8,894 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.68 % 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 0.0743 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is child mortality in Zambia?
- Child mortality in Zambia was 4.84 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 40.98 deaths per 100 live births in 1800.
- What is the lowest child mortality recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.84 deaths per 100 live births in 2024.
- How does Zambia rank for child mortality?
- Zambia ranks 32nd out of 203 countries with data for 2024.
- Is child mortality rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia 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.