Infant deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in South Korea
South Korea: Infant deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) was 556 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
556
Change on year
down 4.6%
World rank
119th
of 201 countries
All-time high
123,629
in 1952
All-time low
556
in 2024
Years of data
73
1952–2024
Infant deaths in South Korea, 1952–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for infant deaths in South Korea is 556, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 73 years on record.
The figure is down 4.6% on the previous year and down 55.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, infant deaths in South Korea peaked at 123,629 in 1952 and was at its lowest, 556, in 2024.
South Korea ranks 119th of 201 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.
Infant deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 123,629 | — |
| 1953 | 112,480 | -9.0% |
| 1954 | 103,044 | -8.4% |
| 1955 | 95,379 | -7.4% |
| 1956 | 89,779 | -5.9% |
| 1957 | 85,970 | -4.2% |
| 1958 | 83,538 | -2.8% |
| 1959 | 81,745 | -2.1% |
| 1960 | 80,078 | -2.0% |
| 1961 | 77,811 | -2.8% |
| 1962 | 74,340 | -4.5% |
| 1963 | 70,156 | -5.6% |
| 1964 | 65,492 | -6.6% |
| 1965 | 60,825 | -7.1% |
| 1966 | 56,869 | -6.5% |
| 1967 | 52,892 | -7.0% |
| 1968 | 49,177 | -7.0% |
| 1969 | 46,160 | -6.1% |
| 1970 | 43,896 | -4.9% |
| 1971 | 41,102 | -6.4% |
| 1972 | 37,622 | -8.5% |
| 1973 | 34,628 | -8.0% |
| 1974 | 32,027 | -7.5% |
| 1975 | 29,662 | -7.4% |
| 1976 | 27,709 | -6.6% |
| 1977 | 26,121 | -5.7% |
| 1978 | 24,274 | -7.1% |
| 1979 | 23,372 | -3.7% |
| 1980 | 23,193 | -0.8% |
| 1981 | 22,695 | -2.1% |
| 1982 | 21,302 | -6.1% |
| 1983 | 18,536 | -13.0% |
| 1984 | 15,496 | -16.4% |
| 1985 | 13,209 | -14.8% |
| 1986 | 11,620 | -12.0% |
| 1987 | 10,359 | -10.9% |
| 1988 | 9,387 | -9.4% |
| 1989 | 8,632 | -8.0% |
| 1990 | 8,090 | -6.3% |
| 1991 | 7,812 | -3.4% |
| 1992 | 7,477 | -4.3% |
| 1993 | 6,815 | -8.9% |
| 1994 | 6,150 | -9.8% |
| 1995 | 5,621 | -8.6% |
| 1996 | 5,103 | -9.2% |
| 1997 | 4,616 | -9.5% |
| 1998 | 4,163 | -9.8% |
| 1999 | 3,780 | -9.2% |
| 2000 | 3,503 | -7.3% |
| 2001 | 3,140 | -10.4% |
| 2002 | 2,692 | -14.3% |
| 2003 | 2,377 | -11.7% |
| 2004 | 2,157 | -9.3% |
| 2005 | 1,929 | -10.6% |
| 2006 | 1,770 | -8.2% |
| 2007 | 1,714 | -3.2% |
| 2008 | 1,630 | -4.9% |
| 2009 | 1,509 | -7.4% |
| 2010 | 1,456 | -3.5% |
| 2011 | 1,438 | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 1,414 | -1.7% |
| 2013 | 1,343 | -5.0% |
| 2014 | 1,261 | -6.1% |
| 2015 | 1,217 | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 1,145 | -5.9% |
| 2017 | 1,023 | -10.7% |
| 2018 | 897 | -12.3% |
| 2019 | 796 | -11.3% |
| 2020 | 711 | -10.7% |
| 2021 | 650 | -8.6% |
| 2022 | 621 | -4.5% |
| 2023 | 583 | -6.1% |
| 2024 | 556 | -4.6% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 556 is above the median for high income countries, which is 215, 2.6× the median. (65 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 556 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 636.5, 87% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 96,946 | 81,745 | 123,629 | 8 |
| 1960s | 63,380 | 46,160 | 80,078 | 10 |
| 1970s | 32,041 | 23,372 | 43,896 | 10 |
| 1980s | 15,443 | 8,632 | 23,193 | 10 |
| 1990s | 5,963 | 3,780 | 8,090 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,242 | 1,509 | 3,503 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,199 | 796 | 1,456 | 10 |
| 2020s | 624.2 | 556 | 711 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 69 (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)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0124 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is infant deaths in South Korea?
- Infant deaths in South Korea was 556 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest infant deaths recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 123,629 in 1952.
- What is the lowest infant deaths recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 556 in 2024.
- How does South Korea rank for infant deaths?
- South Korea ranks 119th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is infant deaths rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 55.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.
Download this data
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