Infant mortality rates (Our World) in United States
United States: Infant mortality rates (Our World) was 0.5282 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
0.5282
Change on year
down 2.3%
World rank
169th
of 236 countries
All-time high
3.17
in 1950
All-time low
0.5266
in 2020
Years of data
74
1950–2023
Infant mortality rates in United States, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for infant mortality rates in United States is 0.5282, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 2.3% on the previous year and down 10.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, infant mortality rates in United States peaked at 3.17 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 0.5266, in 2020.
United States ranks 169th of 236 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 mortality rates (Our World) in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3.17 | — |
| 1951 | 3.14 | -0.8% |
| 1952 | 3.12 | -0.7% |
| 1953 | 2.99 | -4.3% |
| 1954 | 2.85 | -4.6% |
| 1955 | 2.78 | -2.6% |
| 1956 | 2.73 | -1.5% |
| 1957 | 2.74 | +0.1% |
| 1958 | 2.74 | -0.0% |
| 1959 | 2.67 | -2.4% |
| 1960 | 2.64 | -1.3% |
| 1961 | 2.54 | -3.9% |
| 1962 | 2.52 | -0.6% |
| 1963 | 2.51 | -0.3% |
| 1964 | 2.48 | -1.1% |
| 1965 | 2.41 | -3.0% |
| 1966 | 2.34 | -2.9% |
| 1967 | 2.23 | -4.5% |
| 1968 | 2.21 | -1.0% |
| 1969 | 2.14 | -3.1% |
| 1970 | 2.09 | -2.4% |
| 1971 | 1.88 | -10.0% |
| 1972 | 1.78 | -5.2% |
| 1973 | 1.73 | -3.0% |
| 1974 | 1.68 | -2.6% |
| 1975 | 1.59 | -5.8% |
| 1976 | 1.51 | -4.7% |
| 1977 | 1.42 | -6.3% |
| 1978 | 1.36 | -3.7% |
| 1979 | 1.31 | -3.8% |
| 1980 | 1.27 | -3.1% |
| 1981 | 1.19 | -6.5% |
| 1982 | 1.15 | -3.0% |
| 1983 | 1.1 | -4.1% |
| 1984 | 1.09 | -1.4% |
| 1985 | 1.08 | -0.8% |
| 1986 | 1.04 | -3.7% |
| 1987 | 1.03 | -1.5% |
| 1988 | 1.02 | -0.2% |
| 1989 | 1.03 | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 0.9679 | -5.8% |
| 1991 | 0.921 | -4.8% |
| 1992 | 0.8705 | -5.5% |
| 1993 | 0.8523 | -2.1% |
| 1994 | 0.821 | -3.7% |
| 1995 | 0.7765 | -5.4% |
| 1996 | 0.7552 | -2.7% |
| 1997 | 0.7419 | -1.8% |
| 1998 | 0.7481 | +0.8% |
| 1999 | 0.7305 | -2.4% |
| 2000 | 0.7176 | -1.8% |
| 2001 | 0.6904 | -3.8% |
| 2002 | 0.7023 | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 0.7001 | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 0.694 | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 0.7039 | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 0.6998 | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 0.7013 | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 0.6765 | -3.5% |
| 2009 | 0.6533 | -3.4% |
| 2010 | 0.6185 | -5.3% |
| 2011 | 0.6036 | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 0.5981 | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 0.5918 | -1.1% |
| 2014 | 0.5832 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 0.5867 | +0.6% |
| 2016 | 0.5832 | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 0.5714 | -2.0% |
| 2018 | 0.5571 | -2.5% |
| 2019 | 0.5535 | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 0.5266 | -4.9% |
| 2021 | 0.5538 | +5.2% |
| 2022 | 0.5406 | -2.4% |
| 2023 | 0.5282 | -2.3% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 0.5282 is above the median for high income countries, which is 0.4445, 1.2× the median. (85 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.89 | 2.67 | 3.17 | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.4 | 2.14 | 2.64 | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.64 | 1.31 | 2.09 | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.1 | 1.02 | 1.27 | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.8185 | 0.7305 | 0.9679 | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.6939 | 0.6533 | 0.7176 | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.5847 | 0.5535 | 0.6185 | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.5373 | 0.5266 | 0.5538 | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 166 Montserrat 0.5338 compare
- 167 Bahrain 0.5332 compare
- 168 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.5326 compare
- 170 Andorra 0.5276 compare
- 171 Saint Barthelemy 0.526 compare
- 172 French Polynesia 0.5255 compare
More health data for United States
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.67 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1867 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,015 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2023)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.056 % 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 0.0261 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.1919 % 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 0.0274 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is infant mortality rates in United States?
- Infant mortality rates in United States was 0.5282 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest infant mortality rates recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 3.17 in 1950.
- What is the lowest infant mortality rates recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.5266 in 2020.
- How does United States rank for infant mortality rates?
- United States ranks 169th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is infant mortality rates rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Infant mortality rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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