Infant mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in Japan
Japan: Infant mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024) was 1.82 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.82
Change on year
up 1.6%
World rank
198th
of 201 countries
All-time high
62.37
in 1949
All-time low
1.77
in 2021
Years of data
76
1949–2024
Infant mortality rate in Japan, 1949–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2024, infant mortality rate in Japan stood at 1.82.
That represents a change of up 1.6% on the previous year and down 12.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, infant mortality rate in Japan peaked at 62.37 in 1949 and was at its lowest, 1.77, in 2021.
Japan ranks 198th 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 (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in Japan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | 62.37 | — |
| 1950 | 57.86 | -7.2% |
| 1951 | 53.7 | -7.2% |
| 1952 | 49.91 | -7.0% |
| 1953 | 46.6 | -6.6% |
| 1954 | 43.76 | -6.1% |
| 1955 | 41.32 | -5.6% |
| 1956 | 39.16 | -5.2% |
| 1957 | 37.15 | -5.1% |
| 1958 | 35.06 | -5.6% |
| 1959 | 32.81 | -6.4% |
| 1960 | 30.41 | -7.3% |
| 1961 | 27.91 | -8.2% |
| 1962 | 25.42 | -8.9% |
| 1963 | 23.08 | -9.2% |
| 1964 | 20.96 | -9.2% |
| 1965 | 19.11 | -8.8% |
| 1966 | 17.55 | -8.2% |
| 1967 | 16.24 | -7.5% |
| 1968 | 15.14 | -6.8% |
| 1969 | 14.2 | -6.2% |
| 1970 | 13.37 | -5.8% |
| 1971 | 12.62 | -5.6% |
| 1972 | 11.93 | -5.5% |
| 1973 | 11.27 | -5.6% |
| 1974 | 10.62 | -5.7% |
| 1975 | 10 | -5.9% |
| 1976 | 9.4 | -5.9% |
| 1977 | 8.84 | -6.0% |
| 1978 | 8.32 | -5.9% |
| 1979 | 7.83 | -5.8% |
| 1980 | 7.38 | -5.8% |
| 1981 | 6.95 | -5.8% |
| 1982 | 6.55 | -5.8% |
| 1983 | 6.17 | -5.8% |
| 1984 | 5.81 | -5.8% |
| 1985 | 5.49 | -5.5% |
| 1986 | 5.21 | -5.0% |
| 1987 | 4.99 | -4.4% |
| 1988 | 4.81 | -3.6% |
| 1989 | 4.68 | -2.7% |
| 1990 | 4.58 | -2.0% |
| 1991 | 4.51 | -1.6% |
| 1992 | 4.44 | -1.5% |
| 1993 | 4.36 | -1.9% |
| 1994 | 4.25 | -2.5% |
| 1995 | 4.12 | -3.2% |
| 1996 | 3.96 | -3.9% |
| 1997 | 3.78 | -4.4% |
| 1998 | 3.61 | -4.7% |
| 1999 | 3.44 | -4.7% |
| 2000 | 3.28 | -4.6% |
| 2001 | 3.14 | -4.3% |
| 2002 | 3.02 | -3.8% |
| 2003 | 2.91 | -3.4% |
| 2004 | 2.82 | -3.1% |
| 2005 | 2.74 | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 2.67 | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 2.59 | -2.9% |
| 2008 | 2.52 | -2.7% |
| 2009 | 2.45 | -2.7% |
| 2010 | 2.38 | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 2.33 | -2.1% |
| 2012 | 2.23 | -4.3% |
| 2013 | 2.16 | -3.4% |
| 2014 | 2.08 | -3.4% |
| 2015 | 2.02 | -3.2% |
| 2016 | 1.96 | -2.9% |
| 2017 | 1.91 | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 1.86 | -2.5% |
| 2019 | 1.82 | -2.3% |
| 2020 | 1.78 | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 1.77 | -0.8% |
| 2022 | 1.77 | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 1.79 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 1.82 | +1.6% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 1.82 is below the median for high income countries, which is 3.61, 50% of the median. (65 countries reporting)
- Japan's 1.82 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 13.87, 13% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940s | 62.37 | 62.37 | 62.37 | 1 |
| 1950s | 43.73 | 32.81 | 57.86 | 10 |
| 1960s | 21 | 14.2 | 30.41 | 10 |
| 1970s | 10.42 | 7.83 | 13.37 | 10 |
| 1980s | 5.8 | 4.68 | 7.38 | 10 |
| 1990s | 4.1 | 3.44 | 4.58 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.81 | 2.45 | 3.28 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.07 | 1.82 | 2.38 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.79 | 1.77 | 1.82 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More health data for Japan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.73 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2774 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 178 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.22 % 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 0.0155 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.36 % 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 0.0163 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is infant mortality rate in Japan?
- Infant mortality rate in Japan was 1.82 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest infant mortality rate recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 62.37 in 1949.
- What is the lowest infant mortality rate recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.77 in 2021.
- How does Japan rank for infant mortality rate?
- Japan ranks 198th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is infant mortality rate rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan 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.
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