Under-five mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024) in South Korea
South Korea: Under-five mortality rate was 2.8 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
2.8
Change on year
down 1.9%
World rank
185th
of 201 countries
All-time high
369.44
in 1950
All-time low
2.8
in 2024
Years of data
75
1950–2024
Under-five mortality rate in South Korea, 1950–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 2.8 for under-five mortality rate in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 75 years on record.
The figure is down 1.9% on the previous year and down 22.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, under-five mortality rate in South Korea peaked at 369.44 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.8, in 2024.
South Korea ranks 185th 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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 369.44 | — |
| 1951 | 312.94 | -15.3% |
| 1952 | 266.08 | -15.0% |
| 1953 | 227.56 | -14.5% |
| 1954 | 196.57 | -13.6% |
| 1955 | 172.34 | -12.3% |
| 1956 | 153.66 | -10.8% |
| 1957 | 139.21 | -9.4% |
| 1958 | 128.21 | -7.9% |
| 1959 | 119.68 | -6.7% |
| 1960 | 112.89 | -5.7% |
| 1961 | 107.25 | -5.0% |
| 1962 | 102.25 | -4.7% |
| 1963 | 97.39 | -4.8% |
| 1964 | 92.42 | -5.1% |
| 1965 | 87.26 | -5.6% |
| 1966 | 81.94 | -6.1% |
| 1967 | 76.48 | -6.7% |
| 1968 | 71.15 | -7.0% |
| 1969 | 66.03 | -7.2% |
| 1970 | 61.36 | -7.1% |
| 1971 | 57.22 | -6.8% |
| 1972 | 53.68 | -6.2% |
| 1973 | 50.77 | -5.4% |
| 1974 | 48.32 | -4.8% |
| 1975 | 46.18 | -4.4% |
| 1976 | 44.25 | -4.2% |
| 1977 | 42.36 | -4.3% |
| 1978 | 40.45 | -4.5% |
| 1979 | 38.45 | -4.9% |
| 1980 | 36.27 | -5.7% |
| 1981 | 33.99 | -6.3% |
| 1982 | 31.63 | -6.9% |
| 1983 | 29.26 | -7.5% |
| 1984 | 26.91 | -8.0% |
| 1985 | 24.62 | -8.5% |
| 1986 | 22.45 | -8.8% |
| 1987 | 20.47 | -8.8% |
| 1988 | 18.7 | -8.7% |
| 1989 | 17.1 | -8.5% |
| 1990 | 15.71 | -8.2% |
| 1991 | 14.46 | -7.9% |
| 1992 | 13.33 | -7.8% |
| 1993 | 12.31 | -7.7% |
| 1994 | 11.38 | -7.6% |
| 1995 | 10.54 | -7.4% |
| 1996 | 9.78 | -7.2% |
| 1997 | 9.11 | -6.9% |
| 1998 | 8.51 | -6.5% |
| 1999 | 8 | -6.1% |
| 2000 | 7.55 | -5.6% |
| 2001 | 7.16 | -5.3% |
| 2002 | 6.77 | -5.4% |
| 2003 | 6.38 | -5.8% |
| 2004 | 5.98 | -6.3% |
| 2005 | 5.57 | -6.8% |
| 2006 | 5.18 | -7.0% |
| 2007 | 4.83 | -6.7% |
| 2008 | 4.54 | -6.0% |
| 2009 | 4.31 | -5.2% |
| 2010 | 4.12 | -4.3% |
| 2011 | 3.98 | -3.6% |
| 2012 | 3.85 | -3.2% |
| 2013 | 3.73 | -3.1% |
| 2014 | 3.62 | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 3.51 | -2.9% |
| 2016 | 3.41 | -2.8% |
| 2017 | 3.32 | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 3.23 | -2.8% |
| 2019 | 3.14 | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 3.05 | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 2.97 | -2.5% |
| 2022 | 2.91 | -2.3% |
| 2023 | 2.85 | -1.9% |
| 2024 | 2.8 | -1.9% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 2.8 is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.65, 60% of the median. (65 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 2.8 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 17.21, 16% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 208.57 | 119.68 | 369.44 | 10 |
| 1960s | 89.51 | 66.03 | 112.89 | 10 |
| 1970s | 48.3 | 38.45 | 61.36 | 10 |
| 1980s | 26.14 | 17.1 | 36.27 | 10 |
| 1990s | 11.31 | 8 | 15.71 | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.83 | 4.31 | 7.55 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.59 | 3.14 | 4.12 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.92 | 2.8 | 3.05 | 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 mortality rate in South Korea?
- Under-five mortality rate in South Korea was 2.8 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest under-five mortality rate recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 369.44 in 1950.
- What is the lowest under-five mortality rate recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8 in 2024.
- How does South Korea rank for under-five mortality rate?
- South Korea ranks 185th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is under-five mortality rate rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.7%. 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 mortality rate (UN IGME estimate, 2024). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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