Infant deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in China
China: Infant deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) was 36,113 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
36,113
Change on year
down 10.4%
World rank
25th
of 201 countries
All-time high
2.60 million
in 1970
All-time low
36,113
in 2024
Years of data
55
1970–2024
Infant deaths in China, 1970–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
China recorded 36,113 for infant deaths in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 55 years on record.
The figure is down 10.4% on the previous year and down 78.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, infant deaths in China peaked at 2.60 million in 1970 and was at its lowest, 36,113, in 2024.
China ranks 25th of 201 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Infant deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.60 million | — |
| 1971 | 2.42 million | -6.8% |
| 1972 | 2.20 million | -9.2% |
| 1973 | 2.01 million | -8.5% |
| 1974 | 1.80 million | -10.5% |
| 1975 | 1.55 million | -13.7% |
| 1976 | 1.36 million | -12.7% |
| 1977 | 1.20 million | -11.7% |
| 1978 | 1.09 million | -9.4% |
| 1979 | 1.05 million | -3.2% |
| 1980 | 1.04 million | -1.4% |
| 1981 | 1.03 million | -1.0% |
| 1982 | 1.05 million | +2.7% |
| 1983 | 1.01 million | -4.4% |
| 1984 | 962,741 | -4.5% |
| 1985 | 1.01 million | +4.5% |
| 1986 | 1.07 million | +6.4% |
| 1987 | 1.15 million | +7.1% |
| 1988 | 1.16 million | +1.0% |
| 1989 | 1.16 million | -0.3% |
| 1990 | 1.19 million | +2.9% |
| 1991 | 1.08 million | -9.3% |
| 1992 | 916,404 | -15.0% |
| 1993 | 846,304 | -7.6% |
| 1994 | 790,984 | -6.5% |
| 1995 | 740,095 | -6.4% |
| 1996 | 688,645 | -7.0% |
| 1997 | 635,100 | -7.8% |
| 1998 | 585,207 | -7.9% |
| 1999 | 540,278 | -7.7% |
| 2000 | 512,163 | -5.2% |
| 2001 | 471,560 | -7.9% |
| 2002 | 419,995 | -10.9% |
| 2003 | 380,215 | -9.5% |
| 2004 | 347,333 | -8.6% |
| 2005 | 319,614 | -8.0% |
| 2006 | 294,735 | -7.8% |
| 2007 | 274,048 | -7.0% |
| 2008 | 257,074 | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 241,569 | -6.0% |
| 2010 | 223,179 | -7.6% |
| 2011 | 204,023 | -8.6% |
| 2012 | 194,969 | -4.4% |
| 2013 | 181,373 | -7.0% |
| 2014 | 164,971 | -9.0% |
| 2015 | 148,623 | -9.9% |
| 2016 | 135,480 | -8.8% |
| 2017 | 127,502 | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 108,025 | -15.3% |
| 2019 | 89,261 | -17.4% |
| 2020 | 72,879 | -18.4% |
| 2021 | 57,002 | -21.8% |
| 2022 | 47,242 | -17.1% |
| 2023 | 40,319 | -14.7% |
| 2024 | 36,113 | -10.4% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 36,113 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,252, 28.9× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 36,113 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 636.5, 56.7× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.73 million | 1.05 million | 2.60 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.06 million | 962,741 | 1.16 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 801,074 | 540,278 | 1.19 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 351,831 | 241,569 | 512,163 | 10 |
| 2010s | 157,741 | 89,261 | 223,179 | 10 |
| 2020s | 50,711 | 36,113 | 72,879 | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
- 22 Madagascar 42,981 compare
- 23 Philippines 39,731 compare
- 24 Cameroon 38,551 compare
- 26 Burkina Faso 31,762 compare
- 27 Brazil 31,647 compare
- 28 Zimbabwe 30,713 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 infant deaths in China?
- Infant deaths in China was 36,113 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest infant deaths recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 2.60 million in 1970.
- What is the lowest infant deaths recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 36,113 in 2024.
- How does China rank for infant deaths?
- China ranks 25th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is infant deaths rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 78.1%. 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 Infant deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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