Global
UN Report Highlights India’s Significant Decline in Child Mortality
India records sharp reductions in neonatal and under-five mortality, driving progress in South Asia
India has been recognised as a major contributor to global progress in reducing child mortality, according to the latest United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) Report 2025.
The report highlights the country’s consistent and large-scale efforts to improve child survival, particularly in reducing neonatal and under-five mortality rates. It notes that India’s strong, standards-driven public health system—supported by coordinated central and state-level initiatives—has helped translate national goals into measurable outcomes at the grassroots level.
India’s neonatal mortality rate has declined by 70 per cent, dropping from 57 in 1990 to 17 in 2024. Similarly, the under-five mortality rate has fallen by 79 per cent, from 127 in 1990 to 27 in 2024.
Over the past two decades, India has played a key role in reducing child mortality across South Asia, where under-five deaths have declined by 76 per cent since 1990 and 68 per cent since 2000. This progress has been largely driven by targeted public health measures, improved institutional delivery systems, and expanded immunisation coverage.
The region’s under-five mortality rate has decreased significantly, from 92 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to around 32 in 2024, reflecting steady improvements in child health outcomes.
India’s focused interventions have helped reduce deaths caused by preventable conditions such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, and birth-related complications.
The report further notes that most child deaths are preventable or treatable, and India’s expansion of initiatives such as the Universal Immunisation Programme, facility-based newborn care, and integrated management of neonatal and childhood illnesses has significantly improved survival rates.
Improvements in neonatal care systems have been particularly notable. Across South Asia, neonatal deaths have declined by nearly 60 per cent since 2000, while mortality among children aged 1–59 months has reduced by over 75 per cent.
Although South Asia still accounts for nearly 25 per cent of global under-five deaths, the region has achieved one of the fastest reductions worldwide, with India playing a leading role among high-burden countries.
The report highlights the country’s consistent and large-scale efforts to improve child survival, particularly in reducing neonatal and under-five mortality rates. It notes that India’s strong, standards-driven public health system—supported by coordinated central and state-level initiatives—has helped translate national goals into measurable outcomes at the grassroots level.
India’s neonatal mortality rate has declined by 70 per cent, dropping from 57 in 1990 to 17 in 2024. Similarly, the under-five mortality rate has fallen by 79 per cent, from 127 in 1990 to 27 in 2024.
Over the past two decades, India has played a key role in reducing child mortality across South Asia, where under-five deaths have declined by 76 per cent since 1990 and 68 per cent since 2000. This progress has been largely driven by targeted public health measures, improved institutional delivery systems, and expanded immunisation coverage.
The region’s under-five mortality rate has decreased significantly, from 92 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to around 32 in 2024, reflecting steady improvements in child health outcomes.
India’s focused interventions have helped reduce deaths caused by preventable conditions such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, and birth-related complications.
The report further notes that most child deaths are preventable or treatable, and India’s expansion of initiatives such as the Universal Immunisation Programme, facility-based newborn care, and integrated management of neonatal and childhood illnesses has significantly improved survival rates.
Improvements in neonatal care systems have been particularly notable. Across South Asia, neonatal deaths have declined by nearly 60 per cent since 2000, while mortality among children aged 1–59 months has reduced by over 75 per cent.
Although South Asia still accounts for nearly 25 per cent of global under-five deaths, the region has achieved one of the fastest reductions worldwide, with India playing a leading role among high-burden countries.
Child Health OutcomesChild Mortality IndiaImmunisation India
