Infant mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in China
China: Infant mortality rate was 4.08 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
4.08
Change on year
down 7.3%
World rank
162nd
of 201 countries
All-time high
88.83
in 1969
All-time low
4.08
in 2024
Years of data
56
1969–2024
Infant mortality rate in China, 1969–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
China recorded 4.08 for infant mortality rate in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 56 years on record.
The figure is down 7.3% on the previous year and down 54.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, infant mortality rate in China peaked at 88.83 in 1969 and was at its lowest, 4.08, in 2024.
China ranks 162nd of 201 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Infant mortality rate in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 88.83 | — |
| 1970 | 84.64 | -4.7% |
| 1971 | 80.5 | -4.9% |
| 1972 | 76.6 | -4.8% |
| 1973 | 72.59 | -5.2% |
| 1974 | 68.6 | -5.5% |
| 1975 | 64.68 | -5.7% |
| 1976 | 60.87 | -5.9% |
| 1977 | 57.28 | -5.9% |
| 1978 | 54.07 | -5.6% |
| 1979 | 51.26 | -5.2% |
| 1980 | 48.84 | -4.7% |
| 1981 | 46.85 | -4.1% |
| 1982 | 45.31 | -3.3% |
| 1983 | 44.19 | -2.5% |
| 1984 | 43.47 | -1.6% |
| 1985 | 43.07 | -0.9% |
| 1986 | 42.95 | -0.3% |
| 1987 | 43.07 | +0.3% |
| 1988 | 43.25 | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 43.35 | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 43.3 | -0.1% |
| 1991 | 42.95 | -0.8% |
| 1992 | 42.27 | -1.6% |
| 1993 | 41.33 | -2.2% |
| 1994 | 40.11 | -2.9% |
| 1995 | 38.69 | -3.5% |
| 1996 | 37.17 | -3.9% |
| 1997 | 35.54 | -4.4% |
| 1998 | 33.78 | -4.9% |
| 1999 | 31.92 | -5.5% |
| 2000 | 29.91 | -6.3% |
| 2001 | 27.78 | -7.1% |
| 2002 | 25.6 | -7.9% |
| 2003 | 23.43 | -8.5% |
| 2004 | 21.33 | -8.9% |
| 2005 | 19.4 | -9.1% |
| 2006 | 17.67 | -8.9% |
| 2007 | 16.13 | -8.7% |
| 2008 | 14.76 | -8.5% |
| 2009 | 13.55 | -8.2% |
| 2010 | 12.45 | -8.1% |
| 2011 | 11.44 | -8.1% |
| 2012 | 10.53 | -8.0% |
| 2013 | 9.68 | -8.0% |
| 2014 | 8.91 | -8.0% |
| 2015 | 8.21 | -7.9% |
| 2016 | 7.57 | -7.8% |
| 2017 | 6.98 | -7.8% |
| 2018 | 6.45 | -7.6% |
| 2019 | 5.97 | -7.4% |
| 2020 | 5.53 | -7.4% |
| 2021 | 5.12 | -7.3% |
| 2022 | 4.75 | -7.2% |
| 2023 | 4.4 | -7.4% |
| 2024 | 4.08 | -7.3% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 4.08 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 11.59, 35% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 4.08 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 13.87, 29% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 88.83 | 88.83 | 88.83 | 1 |
| 1970s | 67.11 | 51.26 | 84.64 | 10 |
| 1980s | 44.44 | 42.95 | 48.84 | 10 |
| 1990s | 38.71 | 31.92 | 43.3 | 10 |
| 2000s | 20.96 | 13.55 | 29.91 | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.82 | 5.97 | 12.45 | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.78 | 4.08 | 5.53 | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
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 mortality rate in China?
- Infant mortality rate in China was 4.08 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest infant mortality rate recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 88.83 in 1969.
- What is the lowest infant mortality rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.08 in 2024.
- How does China rank for infant mortality rate?
- China ranks 162nd out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is infant mortality rate rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 54.2%. 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 mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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