Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in China
China: Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) was 2.59 per 1,000 live births in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
2.59 per 1,000 live births
Change on year
down 6.8%
World rank
175th
of 213 countries
All-time high
21.35 per 1,000 live births
in 2000
All-time low
2.59 per 1,000 live births
in 2024
Years of data
25
2000–2024
Neonatal mortality rate in China, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in per 1,000 live births.
Analysis
China recorded 2.59 per 1,000 live births for neonatal mortality rate in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 6.8% on the previous year and down 55.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, neonatal mortality rate in China peaked at 21.35 per 1,000 live births in 2000 and was at its lowest, 2.59 per 1,000 live births, in 2024.
China ranks 175th of 213 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) in China, year by year
| Year | per 1,000 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 21.35 per 1,000 live births | — |
| 2001 | 19.9 per 1,000 live births | -6.8% |
| 2002 | 18.38 per 1,000 live births | -7.6% |
| 2003 | 16.85 per 1,000 live births | -8.3% |
| 2004 | 15.33 per 1,000 live births | -9.0% |
| 2005 | 13.87 per 1,000 live births | -9.5% |
| 2006 | 12.51 per 1,000 live births | -9.8% |
| 2007 | 11.28 per 1,000 live births | -9.8% |
| 2008 | 10.18 per 1,000 live births | -9.7% |
| 2009 | 9.21 per 1,000 live births | -9.5% |
| 2010 | 8.36 per 1,000 live births | -9.3% |
| 2011 | 7.61 per 1,000 live births | -8.9% |
| 2012 | 6.96 per 1,000 live births | -8.6% |
| 2013 | 6.36 per 1,000 live births | -8.5% |
| 2014 | 5.82 per 1,000 live births | -8.5% |
| 2015 | 5.32 per 1,000 live births | -8.5% |
| 2016 | 4.87 per 1,000 live births | -8.5% |
| 2017 | 4.46 per 1,000 live births | -8.5% |
| 2018 | 4.09 per 1,000 live births | -8.3% |
| 2019 | 3.76 per 1,000 live births | -8.0% |
| 2020 | 3.47 per 1,000 live births | -7.7% |
| 2021 | 3.22 per 1,000 live births | -7.4% |
| 2022 | 2.99 per 1,000 live births | -7.1% |
| 2023 | 2.78 per 1,000 live births | -6.9% |
| 2024 | 2.59 per 1,000 live births | -6.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 2.59 per 1,000 live births is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 7.29 per 1,000 live births, 36% of the median. (56 countries reporting)
- China's 2.59 per 1,000 live births is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 8.35 per 1,000 live births, 31% of the median. (28 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 14.89 per 1,000 live births | 9.21 per 1,000 live births | 21.35 per 1,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.76 per 1,000 live births | 3.76 per 1,000 live births | 8.36 per 1,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.01 per 1,000 live births | 2.59 per 1,000 live births | 3.47 per 1,000 live births | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
- 172 Denmark 2.7 per 1,000 live births compare
- 173 New Zealand 2.67 per 1,000 live births compare
- 174 Netherlands (Kingdom of the) 2.62 per 1,000 live births compare
- 176 Ireland 2.58 per 1,000 live births compare
- 177 Bulgaria 2.58 per 1,000 live births compare
- 178 Poland 2.47 per 1,000 live births 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)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 4,642 (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)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0176 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is neonatal mortality rate in China?
- Neonatal mortality rate in China was 2.59 per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest neonatal mortality rate recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 21.35 per 1,000 live births in 2000.
- What is the lowest neonatal mortality rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.59 per 1,000 live births in 2024.
- How does China rank for neonatal mortality rate?
- China ranks 175th out of 213 countries with data for 2024.
- Is neonatal mortality rate rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 55.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Neonatal mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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