Under-five mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in China
China: Under-five mortality rate was 5.72 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
5.72
Change on year
down 6.5%
World rank
153rd
of 201 countries
All-time high
117.99
in 1969
All-time low
5.72
in 2024
Years of data
56
1969–2024
Under-five mortality rate in China, 1969–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2024, under-five mortality rate in China stood at 5.72. That is the lowest value across all 56 years on record.
The figure is down 6.5% on the previous year and down 50.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, under-five mortality rate in China peaked at 117.99 in 1969 and was at its lowest, 5.72, in 2024.
China ranks 153rd of 201 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Under-five mortality rate in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 117.99 | — |
| 1970 | 112.09 | -5.0% |
| 1971 | 106.3 | -5.2% |
| 1972 | 100.78 | -5.2% |
| 1973 | 95.2 | -5.5% |
| 1974 | 89.68 | -5.8% |
| 1975 | 84.27 | -6.0% |
| 1976 | 79.07 | -6.2% |
| 1977 | 74.15 | -6.2% |
| 1978 | 69.76 | -5.9% |
| 1979 | 65.92 | -5.5% |
| 1980 | 62.62 | -5.0% |
| 1981 | 59.88 | -4.4% |
| 1982 | 57.71 | -3.6% |
| 1983 | 56.06 | -2.9% |
| 1984 | 54.93 | -2.0% |
| 1985 | 54.22 | -1.3% |
| 1986 | 53.87 | -0.7% |
| 1987 | 53.81 | -0.1% |
| 1988 | 53.85 | +0.1% |
| 1989 | 53.8 | -0.1% |
| 1990 | 53.58 | -0.4% |
| 1991 | 53.03 | -1.0% |
| 1992 | 52.08 | -1.8% |
| 1993 | 50.82 | -2.4% |
| 1994 | 49.25 | -3.1% |
| 1995 | 47.44 | -3.7% |
| 1996 | 45.54 | -4.0% |
| 1997 | 43.51 | -4.5% |
| 1998 | 41.36 | -5.0% |
| 1999 | 39.08 | -5.5% |
| 2000 | 36.64 | -6.2% |
| 2001 | 34.07 | -7.0% |
| 2002 | 31.44 | -7.7% |
| 2003 | 28.83 | -8.3% |
| 2004 | 26.33 | -8.7% |
| 2005 | 24.02 | -8.8% |
| 2006 | 21.95 | -8.6% |
| 2007 | 20.12 | -8.3% |
| 2008 | 18.49 | -8.1% |
| 2009 | 17.05 | -7.8% |
| 2010 | 15.75 | -7.6% |
| 2011 | 14.56 | -7.5% |
| 2012 | 13.48 | -7.4% |
| 2013 | 12.48 | -7.5% |
| 2014 | 11.56 | -7.3% |
| 2015 | 10.72 | -7.3% |
| 2016 | 9.96 | -7.2% |
| 2017 | 9.25 | -7.1% |
| 2018 | 8.61 | -6.9% |
| 2019 | 8.03 | -6.7% |
| 2020 | 7.5 | -6.6% |
| 2021 | 7.01 | -6.5% |
| 2022 | 6.56 | -6.4% |
| 2023 | 6.12 | -6.6% |
| 2024 | 5.72 | -6.5% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 5.72 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 13, 44% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 5.72 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 17.21, 33% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 117.99 | 117.99 | 117.99 | 1 |
| 1970s | 87.72 | 65.92 | 112.09 | 10 |
| 1980s | 56.08 | 53.8 | 62.62 | 10 |
| 1990s | 47.57 | 39.08 | 53.58 | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.89 | 17.05 | 36.64 | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.44 | 8.03 | 15.75 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.58 | 5.72 | 7.5 | 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 under-five mortality rate in China?
- Under-five mortality rate in China was 5.72 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest under-five mortality rate recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 117.99 in 1969.
- What is the lowest under-five mortality rate recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.72 in 2024.
- How does China rank for under-five mortality rate?
- China ranks 153rd out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is under-five mortality rate rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Under-five mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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