Number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause in Europe (WHO region)
Europe (WHO region): Number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause was 17,454 in 2021. ▼ Falling
Number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause in Europe (WHO region), 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause in Europe (WHO region) is 17,454, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 22 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.1% on the previous year and down 38.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause in Europe (WHO region) peaked at 44,546 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 17,454, in 2021.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause in Europe (WHO region), year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 44,546 | — |
| 2001 | 42,448 | -4.7% |
| 2002 | 39,955 | -5.9% |
| 2003 | 37,982 | -4.9% |
| 2004 | 36,885 | -2.9% |
| 2005 | 35,357 | -4.1% |
| 2006 | 34,327 | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 33,378 | -2.8% |
| 2008 | 32,375 | -3.0% |
| 2009 | 31,096 | -4.0% |
| 2010 | 29,866 | -4.0% |
| 2011 | 28,176 | -5.7% |
| 2012 | 27,790 | -1.4% |
| 2013 | 26,905 | -3.2% |
| 2014 | 25,790 | -4.1% |
| 2015 | 24,728 | -4.1% |
| 2016 | 23,202 | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 21,636 | -6.7% |
| 2018 | 20,556 | -5.0% |
| 2019 | 19,394 | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 18,393 | -5.2% |
| 2021 | 17,454 | -5.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 36,835 | 31,096 | 44,546 | 10 |
| 2010s | 24,804 | 19,394 | 29,866 | 10 |
| 2020s | 17,923 | 17,454 | 18,393 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Europe (WHO region)
- 4 Democratic Republic of Congo 44,935 compare
- 5 Ethiopia 37,456 compare
- 6 Indonesia 21,818 compare
- 7 Bangladesh 19,710 compare
- 8 Afghanistan 18,687 compare
- 9 Sudan 16,712 compare
- 10 Mozambique 15,903 compare
More health data for Europe (WHO region)
- Diphtheria - number of reported cases, gaps filled 199 (2025)
- Measles - number of reported cases, gaps filled 38,686 (2025)
- Total tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 85 (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, gaps filled 52,021 (2025)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Number of under-five deaths, annual growth rate -8.58 % change on previous year (2024)
- Number of neonatal deaths, annual growth rate -3.27 % change on previous year (2024)
- Number of infant deaths, annual growth rate -5.46 % change on previous year (2024)
- Measles - number of reported cases, annual growth rate -74.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, annual growth rate -82.58 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause in Europe (WHO region)?
- Number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause in Europe (WHO region) was 17,454 in 2021, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause recorded in Europe (WHO region)?
- The highest recorded value was 44,546 in 2000.
- What is the lowest number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause recorded in Europe (WHO region)?
- The lowest recorded value was 17,454 in 2021.
- How does Europe (WHO region) rank for number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause?
- Europe (WHO region) ranks 7th out of 7 groups with data for 2021.
- Is number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause rising or falling in Europe (WHO region)?
- Over the last ten years it is down 38.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Europe (WHO region) data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Number of deaths in children aged <5 years, by cause. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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