Under-five deaths (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in South Korea
South Korea: Under-five deaths was 679 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
679
Change on year
down 5.3%
World rank
118th
of 201 countries
All-time high
138,993
in 1956
All-time low
679
in 2024
Years of data
69
1956–2024
Under-five deaths in South Korea, 1956–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for under-five deaths in South Korea is 679, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 69 years on record.
The figure is down 5.3% on the previous year and down 56.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, under-five deaths in South Korea peaked at 138,993 in 1956 and was at its lowest, 679, in 2024.
South Korea ranks 118th 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 in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 138,993 | — |
| 1957 | 131,474 | -5.4% |
| 1958 | 126,151 | -4.0% |
| 1959 | 122,052 | -3.2% |
| 1960 | 118,505 | -2.9% |
| 1961 | 114,517 | -3.4% |
| 1962 | 109,208 | -4.6% |
| 1963 | 102,801 | -5.9% |
| 1964 | 95,555 | -7.0% |
| 1965 | 88,042 | -7.9% |
| 1966 | 81,149 | -7.8% |
| 1967 | 74,447 | -8.3% |
| 1968 | 68,324 | -8.2% |
| 1969 | 63,237 | -7.4% |
| 1970 | 59,308 | -6.2% |
| 1971 | 55,198 | -6.9% |
| 1972 | 50,654 | -8.2% |
| 1973 | 46,722 | -7.8% |
| 1974 | 43,251 | -7.4% |
| 1975 | 40,011 | -7.5% |
| 1976 | 37,208 | -7.0% |
| 1977 | 34,845 | -6.4% |
| 1978 | 32,311 | -7.3% |
| 1979 | 30,761 | -4.8% |
| 1980 | 30,018 | -2.4% |
| 1981 | 29,087 | -3.1% |
| 1982 | 27,355 | -6.0% |
| 1983 | 24,284 | -11.2% |
| 1984 | 20,827 | -14.2% |
| 1985 | 17,966 | -13.7% |
| 1986 | 15,738 | -12.4% |
| 1987 | 13,879 | -11.8% |
| 1988 | 12,427 | -10.5% |
| 1989 | 11,324 | -8.9% |
| 1990 | 10,530 | -7.0% |
| 1991 | 10,060 | -4.5% |
| 1992 | 9,589 | -4.7% |
| 1993 | 8,822 | -8.0% |
| 1994 | 8,048 | -8.8% |
| 1995 | 7,399 | -8.1% |
| 1996 | 6,746 | -8.8% |
| 1997 | 6,115 | -9.4% |
| 1998 | 5,529 | -9.6% |
| 1999 | 5,024 | -9.1% |
| 2000 | 4,634 | -7.8% |
| 2001 | 4,172 | -10.0% |
| 2002 | 3,623 | -13.2% |
| 2003 | 3,202 | -11.6% |
| 2004 | 2,876 | -10.2% |
| 2005 | 2,549 | -11.4% |
| 2006 | 2,304 | -9.6% |
| 2007 | 2,185 | -5.2% |
| 2008 | 2,059 | -5.8% |
| 2009 | 1,908 | -7.3% |
| 2010 | 1,831 | -4.0% |
| 2011 | 1,795 | -2.0% |
| 2012 | 1,753 | -2.3% |
| 2013 | 1,666 | -5.0% |
| 2014 | 1,570 | -5.8% |
| 2015 | 1,510 | -3.8% |
| 2016 | 1,421 | -5.9% |
| 2017 | 1,281 | -9.9% |
| 2018 | 1,135 | -11.4% |
| 2019 | 1,012 | -10.8% |
| 2020 | 902 | -10.9% |
| 2021 | 818 | -9.3% |
| 2022 | 770 | -5.9% |
| 2023 | 717 | -6.9% |
| 2024 | 679 | -5.3% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 679 is above the median for high income countries, which is 258, 2.6× the median. (65 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 679 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 775.5, 88% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 129,668 | 122,052 | 138,993 | 4 |
| 1960s | 91,578 | 63,237 | 118,505 | 10 |
| 1970s | 43,027 | 30,761 | 59,308 | 10 |
| 1980s | 20,290 | 11,324 | 30,018 | 10 |
| 1990s | 7,786 | 5,024 | 10,530 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,951 | 1,908 | 4,634 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,497 | 1,012 | 1,831 | 10 |
| 2020s | 777.2 | 679 | 902 | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More health data for South Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.43 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.1935 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,072 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 69 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.66 % 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 0.0118 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.76 % 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 under-five deaths in South Korea?
- Under-five deaths in South Korea was 679 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest under-five deaths recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 138,993 in 1956.
- What is the lowest under-five deaths recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 679 in 2024.
- How does South Korea rank for under-five deaths?
- South Korea ranks 118th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is under-five deaths rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 56.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South 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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