The United Nations (UN) has raised concerns over the slow pace of progress in reducing global child mortality, revealing that nearly 5 million children die each year before their fifth birthday
The warning was issued in a new report by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) released in New York
According to the report, titled “Levels and Trends in Child Mortality,” an estimated 4.9 million children died in 2024, including about 2.3 million newborns
Despite significant gains over the past two decades, the UN noted that progress has slowed sharply since 2015, with the rate of improvement declining by more than 60 percent.
The report highlighted that most child deaths are preventable through affordable healthcare interventions improved nutrition, and access to quality medical services.
For the first time, the study included detailed data on causes of death, identifying Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) as a direct factor in more than 100,000 child deaths in 2024.
Health experts warn that the real impact of malnutrition is even higher, as it weakens children’s immune systems and increases vulnerability to diseases.
Reacting to the findings, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stressed that no child should die from preventable illnesses.
She expressed concern over declining global funding for child health, warning that reduced investment could reverse previous gains in child survival.
Similarly, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said that although progress has been made, millions of children still die from avoidable causes.
He noted that children living in conflict zones are nearly three times more likely to die before age five, calling for stronger protection of health and nutrition services.
Also commenting, World Bank Group health director Monique Vledder urged faster implementation of proven solutions to expand access to primary healthcare for vulnerable populations.
The report identified several countries, including Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan, as having some of the highest numbers of child deaths linked to malnutrition.
Newborn deaths account for nearly half of all under-five fatalities, with complications from preterm birth and labour-related issues being the leading causes.
Beyond infancy, infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea remain major contributors to child mortality.
Malaria alone accounts for about 17 percent of deaths in young children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where access to healthcare remains limited.
Countries such as Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to bear a heavy burden due to factors including conflict, climate challenges, and limited medical infrastructure.
The report also revealed stark regional disparities, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 58 percent of global under-five deaths, compared to significantly lower rates in Europe, North America, and Oceania.
In addition, an estimated 2.1 million children and young people aged 5 to 24 died in 2024, with causes ranging from infectious diseases to injuries.
Among adolescents, self-harm was identified as the leading cause of death among girls aged 15–19, while road traffic accidents were the primary cause among boys.
The UN called for renewed global commitment, increased funding, and targeted interventions to accelerate progress and ensure that more children survive and thrive.
