Five million children die every year – what do they die from?
Every year, five million children die, with many of these deaths being preventable. The leading causes of death include infectious diseases and birth complications, which vary significantly between low- and high-income countries. Understanding these causes is crucial for reducing child mortality rates globally.
- ▪In 2023, 4.7 million children under five died, with over 40% of deaths attributed to infectious diseases and birth disorders.
- ▪In Nigeria, infectious diseases account for 56% of child deaths, while in the UK, deaths are more often due to birth complications and non-communicable diseases.
- ▪Improving access to skilled health professionals during childbirth could significantly reduce the number of deaths from birth complications in low-income countries.
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HomeChild & Infant MortalityFive million children die every year — what do they die from?To reduce child mortality, we need to understand what children are dying from.By Hannah Ritchie (writing), Sophia Mersmann (visualization), and Fiona Spooner (data)May 25, 2026Browse past versionsCite this articleReuse our work freelyPeople often ask me for my favorite statistic. My answer changes, depending on what I’m obsessed with at any given moment. But my least favorite has been the same for years: five million children die every year.Not just because of the pain and loss that it represents, but especially because most of these deaths are avoidable.But to reduce mortality, we need to understand what children are dying from.My colleagues Sophia Mersmann and Fiona Spooner have built a beautiful…
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