Neonatal mortality rate (UNICEF) in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Neonatal mortality rate was 2.86 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
2.86
Change on year
down 3.8%
World rank
19th
of 20 countries
All-time high
23.21
in 1989
All-time low
2.86
in 2024
Years of data
36
1989–2024
Neonatal mortality rate in Saudi Arabia, 1989–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for neonatal mortality rate in Saudi Arabia is 2.86, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.8% on the previous year and down 41.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, neonatal mortality rate in Saudi Arabia peaked at 23.21 in 1989 and was at its lowest, 2.86, in 2024.
Saudi Arabia ranks 19th of 20 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 Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 23.21 | — |
| 1990 | 21.97 | -5.3% |
| 1991 | 20.76 | -5.5% |
| 1992 | 19.65 | -5.4% |
| 1993 | 18.35 | -6.6% |
| 1994 | 17.06 | -7.0% |
| 1995 | 15.92 | -6.6% |
| 1996 | 14.88 | -6.5% |
| 1997 | 13.92 | -6.5% |
| 1998 | 13.07 | -6.1% |
| 1999 | 12.25 | -6.2% |
| 2000 | 11.53 | -5.9% |
| 2001 | 10.86 | -5.9% |
| 2002 | 10.19 | -6.1% |
| 2003 | 9.57 | -6.0% |
| 2004 | 9.02 | -5.7% |
| 2005 | 8.5 | -5.8% |
| 2006 | 8.02 | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 7.55 | -5.9% |
| 2008 | 7.11 | -5.9% |
| 2009 | 6.71 | -5.6% |
| 2010 | 6.31 | -5.9% |
| 2011 | 5.93 | -6.1% |
| 2012 | 5.55 | -6.3% |
| 2013 | 5.21 | -6.2% |
| 2014 | 4.86 | -6.7% |
| 2015 | 4.52 | -7.0% |
| 2016 | 4.21 | -7.0% |
| 2017 | 3.93 | -6.7% |
| 2018 | 3.7 | -5.8% |
| 2019 | 3.51 | -5.1% |
| 2020 | 3.35 | -4.6% |
| 2021 | 3.21 | -4.2% |
| 2022 | 3.08 | -3.8% |
| 2023 | 2.98 | -3.5% |
| 2024 | 2.86 | -3.8% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 2.86 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 7.75, 37% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 2.86 is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.12, 70% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 23.21 | 23.21 | 23.21 | 1 |
| 1990s | 16.78 | 12.25 | 21.97 | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.91 | 6.71 | 11.53 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.77 | 3.51 | 6.31 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.1 | 2.86 | 3.35 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More health data for Saudi Arabia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8373 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.3736 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 483.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 829 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 5.31 % 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 0.0384 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 5.38 % 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 Saudi Arabia?
- Neonatal mortality rate in Saudi Arabia was 2.86 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest neonatal mortality rate recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 23.21 in 1989.
- What is the lowest neonatal mortality rate recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.86 in 2024.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for neonatal mortality rate?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 19th out of 20 countries with data for 2024.
- Is neonatal mortality rate rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Neonatal mortality rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).