Under-five deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in North Korea
North Korea: Under-five deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) was 5,697 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Under-five deaths in North Korea, 1955–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for under-five deaths in North Korea is 5,697, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 70 years on record.
That represents a change of down 8.1% on the previous year and down 25.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, under-five deaths in North Korea peaked at 51,764 in 1958 and was at its lowest, 5,697, in 2024.
North Korea ranks 68th of 201 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.
Under-five deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in North Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 48,824 | — |
| 1956 | 46,714 | -4.3% |
| 1957 | 48,869 | +4.6% |
| 1958 | 51,764 | +5.9% |
| 1959 | 48,755 | -5.8% |
| 1960 | 45,905 | -5.8% |
| 1961 | 44,367 | -3.4% |
| 1962 | 43,220 | -2.6% |
| 1963 | 43,768 | +1.3% |
| 1964 | 43,419 | -0.8% |
| 1965 | 42,232 | -2.7% |
| 1966 | 41,746 | -1.2% |
| 1967 | 42,337 | +1.4% |
| 1968 | 41,252 | -2.6% |
| 1969 | 38,785 | -6.0% |
| 1970 | 36,817 | -5.1% |
| 1971 | 34,475 | -6.4% |
| 1972 | 32,617 | -5.4% |
| 1973 | 29,428 | -9.8% |
| 1974 | 25,448 | -13.5% |
| 1975 | 22,816 | -10.3% |
| 1976 | 20,339 | -10.9% |
| 1977 | 18,120 | -10.9% |
| 1978 | 16,723 | -7.7% |
| 1979 | 15,930 | -4.7% |
| 1980 | 15,327 | -3.8% |
| 1981 | 15,039 | -1.9% |
| 1982 | 14,853 | -1.2% |
| 1983 | 14,551 | -2.0% |
| 1984 | 14,403 | -1.0% |
| 1985 | 14,448 | +0.3% |
| 1986 | 14,696 | +1.7% |
| 1987 | 15,256 | +3.8% |
| 1988 | 15,665 | +2.7% |
| 1989 | 16,346 | +4.3% |
| 1990 | 17,165 | +5.0% |
| 1991 | 18,000 | +4.9% |
| 1992 | 18,596 | +3.3% |
| 1993 | 18,898 | +1.6% |
| 1994 | 19,052 | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 49,561 | +160.1% |
| 1996 | 48,706 | -1.7% |
| 1997 | 47,478 | -2.5% |
| 1998 | 46,114 | -2.9% |
| 1999 | 44,633 | -3.2% |
| 2000 | 42,998 | -3.7% |
| 2001 | 41,329 | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 39,491 | -4.4% |
| 2003 | 13,037 | -67.0% |
| 2004 | 12,350 | -5.3% |
| 2005 | 11,710 | -5.2% |
| 2006 | 11,319 | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 11,153 | -1.5% |
| 2008 | 10,640 | -4.6% |
| 2009 | 10,147 | -4.6% |
| 2010 | 9,555 | -5.8% |
| 2011 | 9,064 | -5.1% |
| 2012 | 8,583 | -5.3% |
| 2013 | 8,089 | -5.8% |
| 2014 | 7,641 | -5.5% |
| 2015 | 7,261 | -5.0% |
| 2016 | 7,055 | -2.8% |
| 2017 | 6,592 | -6.6% |
| 2018 | 6,377 | -3.3% |
| 2019 | 6,145 | -3.6% |
| 2020 | 6,077 | -1.1% |
| 2021 | 6,073 | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 6,146 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 6,196 | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 5,697 | -8.1% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 5,697 is below the median for low income countries, which is 52,477, 11% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 5,697 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 775.5, 7.3× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Under-five deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in North Korea changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +160.1% | 19,052 | 49,561 |
| 2003 | -67.0% | 39,491 | 13,037 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 48,985 | 46,714 | 51,764 | 5 |
| 1960s | 42,703 | 38,785 | 45,905 | 10 |
| 1970s | 25,271 | 15,930 | 36,817 | 10 |
| 1980s | 15,058 | 14,403 | 16,346 | 10 |
| 1990s | 32,820 | 17,165 | 49,561 | 10 |
| 2000s | 20,417 | 10,147 | 42,998 | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,636 | 6,145 | 9,555 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6,038 | 5,697 | 6,196 | 5 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 65 Mauritania 6,361 compare
- 66 Turkmenistan 6,208 compare
- 67 Dominican Republic 6,181 compare
- 69 Palestine 5,544 compare
- 70 Thailand 5,285 compare
- 71 Argentina 4,839 compare
More health data for North Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.16 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2456 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 767 (2100)
- Population, female, per capita 0.5049 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, annual growth rate 3.75 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, female, annual growth rate 0.1972 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, total, per capita 0.1271 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, total, annual growth rate 2.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, per capita 0.0541 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, per capita 0.073 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is under-five deaths in North Korea?
- Under-five deaths in North Korea was 5,697 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest under-five deaths recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 51,764 in 1958.
- What is the lowest under-five deaths recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 5,697 in 2024.
- How does North Korea rank for under-five deaths?
- North Korea ranks 68th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is under-five deaths rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Under-five deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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