Neonatal mortality rate (per 1000 live births) in China
China: Neonatal mortality rate was 2.59 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
2.59
Change on year
down 6.8%
World rank
165th
of 200 countries
All-time high
29.67
in 1989
All-time low
2.59
in 2024
Years of data
36
1989–2024
Neonatal mortality rate in China, 1989–2024
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for neonatal mortality rate in China is 2.59, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure 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 29.67 in 1989 and was at its lowest, 2.59, in 2024.
China ranks 165th of 200 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 in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 29.67 | — |
| 1990 | 29.6 | -0.2% |
| 1991 | 29.37 | -0.8% |
| 1992 | 29.08 | -1.0% |
| 1993 | 28.51 | -2.0% |
| 1994 | 27.69 | -2.9% |
| 1995 | 26.74 | -3.4% |
| 1996 | 25.68 | -4.0% |
| 1997 | 24.57 | -4.3% |
| 1998 | 23.49 | -4.4% |
| 1999 | 22.44 | -4.5% |
| 2000 | 21.35 | -4.8% |
| 2001 | 19.9 | -6.8% |
| 2002 | 18.38 | -7.6% |
| 2003 | 16.85 | -8.3% |
| 2004 | 15.33 | -9.0% |
| 2005 | 13.87 | -9.5% |
| 2006 | 12.51 | -9.8% |
| 2007 | 11.28 | -9.8% |
| 2008 | 10.18 | -9.7% |
| 2009 | 9.21 | -9.5% |
| 2010 | 8.36 | -9.3% |
| 2011 | 7.61 | -8.9% |
| 2012 | 6.96 | -8.6% |
| 2013 | 6.36 | -8.5% |
| 2014 | 5.82 | -8.5% |
| 2015 | 5.32 | -8.5% |
| 2016 | 4.87 | -8.5% |
| 2017 | 4.46 | -8.5% |
| 2018 | 4.09 | -8.3% |
| 2019 | 3.76 | -8.0% |
| 2020 | 3.47 | -7.7% |
| 2021 | 3.22 | -7.4% |
| 2022 | 2.99 | -7.1% |
| 2023 | 2.78 | -6.9% |
| 2024 | 2.59 | -6.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 2.59 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 7.31, 36% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 2.59 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 8.77, 30% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 29.67 | 29.67 | 29.67 | 1 |
| 1990s | 26.72 | 22.44 | 29.6 | 10 |
| 2000s | 14.89 | 9.21 | 21.35 | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.76 | 3.76 | 8.36 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.01 | 2.59 | 3.47 | 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 neonatal mortality rate in China?
- Neonatal mortality rate in China was 2.59 in 2024, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest neonatal mortality rate recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 29.67 in 1989.
- What is the lowest neonatal mortality rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.59 in 2024.
- How does China rank for neonatal mortality rate?
- China ranks 165th out of 200 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 World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Neonatal mortality rate (per 1000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO).