Under-five mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Under-five mortality rate was 71.57 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Under-five mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1980–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for under-five mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is 71.57, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.7% on the previous year and down 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, under-five mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 205.85 in 1983 and was at its lowest, 71.57, in 2024.
That places Sub-Saharan Africa 2nd out of 33 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 45 years of available data.
Under-five mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 205.81 | — |
| 1981 | 203.77 | -1.0% |
| 1982 | 200.12 | -1.8% |
| 1983 | 205.85 | +2.9% |
| 1984 | 201.38 | -2.2% |
| 1985 | 198.38 | -1.5% |
| 1986 | 195.64 | -1.4% |
| 1987 | 186.48 | -4.7% |
| 1988 | 192.68 | +3.3% |
| 1989 | 181.74 | -5.7% |
| 1990 | 180.45 | -0.7% |
| 1991 | 181.94 | +0.8% |
| 1992 | 180.69 | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 178.94 | -1.0% |
| 1994 | 175.64 | -1.8% |
| 1995 | 170.77 | -2.8% |
| 1996 | 171.65 | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 167.73 | -2.3% |
| 1998 | 165.33 | -1.4% |
| 1999 | 157.7 | -4.6% |
| 2000 | 152.38 | -3.4% |
| 2001 | 148.21 | -2.7% |
| 2002 | 140.63 | -5.1% |
| 2003 | 134.62 | -4.3% |
| 2004 | 128.71 | -4.4% |
| 2005 | 120.6 | -6.3% |
| 2006 | 115.23 | -4.5% |
| 2007 | 110.25 | -4.3% |
| 2008 | 105.49 | -4.3% |
| 2009 | 103.82 | -1.6% |
| 2010 | 98.12 | -5.5% |
| 2011 | 98.1 | -0.0% |
| 2012 | 91.54 | -6.7% |
| 2013 | 88.39 | -3.4% |
| 2014 | 87.58 | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 85.82 | -2.0% |
| 2016 | 84.26 | -1.8% |
| 2017 | 83.44 | -1.0% |
| 2018 | 79.82 | -4.3% |
| 2019 | 78.85 | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 76.8 | -2.6% |
| 2021 | 78.08 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 79.4 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 73.59 | -7.3% |
| 2024 | 71.57 | -2.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 197.18 | 181.74 | 205.85 | 10 |
| 1990s | 173.09 | 157.7 | 181.94 | 10 |
| 2000s | 125.99 | 103.82 | 152.38 | 10 |
| 2010s | 87.59 | 78.85 | 98.12 | 10 |
| 2020s | 75.89 | 71.57 | 79.4 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More health data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Population ages 15-64, male, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, annual growth rate 3.74 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, total, per capita 0.5639 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, total, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, total, annual growth rate 3 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, male, per capita 0.2801 units per person (2025)
- Population, male, annual growth rate 2.47 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, male, per capita 0.4985 units per person (2025)
- Population, male, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is under-five mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Under-five mortality rate in Sub-Saharan Africa was 71.57 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest under-five mortality rate recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 205.85 in 1983.
- What is the lowest under-five mortality rate recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 71.57 in 2024.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for under-five mortality rate?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 2nd out of 33 groups with data for 2024.
- Is under-five mortality rate rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa 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.
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