In 2020, 5.0 million children under 5 died globally, a drop from 5.3 million in 2019 that is partly tied to pandemic related measurement changes rather than steady progress. The same dataset shows why improvement can stall, with about 29% of under 5 deaths happening in the first 28 days and causes like diarrhoea, pneumonia, and household air pollution still taking a heavy toll.
Key Takeaways
- 5.0 million children under 5 died in 2020 globally (down from 5.3 million in 2019, reflecting pandemic-related measurement changes).
- The global under-5 mortality rate decreased by about 51% from 2000 to 2015, then slowed after 2015 (WHO/UNICEF).
- About 29% of under-5 deaths occur in the neonatal period (first 28 days) globally.
- Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from diarrhoea among children under 5 declined by about 60% (WHO).
- Insecticide-treated bed nets reduce malaria mortality; WHO estimates they reduce child deaths by about 20% where malaria is endemic.
- Antenatal corticosteroids for mothers at risk of preterm delivery can reduce neonatal death and respiratory distress syndrome.
- Early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour reduces neonatal mortality; WHO recommends starting breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.
- Suboptimal breastfeeding is estimated to contribute to 823,000 deaths in children under 5 per year globally.
- Indoor air pollution from solid fuels causes about 540,000 deaths of children under 5 each year globally.
- Wasting affects 7.5% of children under 5 globally and increases risk of death.
- In 2019, 1 in 10 children under 5 lacked access to healthcare for their pneumonia symptoms (coverage gap estimate).
- In 2019, an estimated 5.2 million child deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia combined (about 60%+ of global under-5 deaths).
- In 2022, under-5 mortality in rural areas was higher than in urban areas in most low- and middle-income countries (UNICEF inequality analysis).
- In 2022, neonatal mortality was lowest in high-income countries at 2 deaths per 1,000 live births.
- 86% of the world’s children aged 12–23 months received 3 doses of DTP-containing vaccine in 2022 (global coverage estimate).
In 2020 about 5 million children under five died, with preventable causes like infections, unsafe water, and poor access to care still driving most losses.
Related reading
01 · Category
Global Burden1 stats
01
5.0 million children under 5 died in 2020 globally (down from 5.3 million in 2019, reflecting pandemic-related measurement changes).[1]
Interpretation
Global Burden Interpretation
Under the Global Burden framing, the estimated deaths of children under 5 fell from 5.3 million in 2019 to 5.0 million in 2020, a decline that may reflect pandemic-related measurement changes rather than a straightforward drop in harm.
02 · Category
Trends & Forecasts7 stats
01
The global under-5 mortality rate decreased by about 51% from 2000 to 2015, then slowed after 2015 (WHO/UNICEF).[2]
02
About 29% of under-5 deaths occur in the neonatal period (first 28 days) globally.[3]
03
Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from diarrhoea among children under 5 declined by about 60% (WHO).[3]
04
Between 2000 and 2019, pneumonia deaths in children under 5 declined by about 60% (WHO).[3]
05
In 2010, measles accounted for about 165,000 child deaths globally; by 2019 it was about 147,000 (WHO).[3]
06
Global childhood vaccination coverage for DTP3 was about 86% in 2022, down from earlier highs due to pandemic disruptions (WHO/UNICEF estimates).[3]
07
UNICEF/WHO estimate that the COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in under-5 deaths in 2020 and 2021 compared with pre-pandemic trends (excess under-5 mortality estimates).[1]
Interpretation
Trends & Forecasts Interpretation
For the Trends & Forecasts outlook, child mortality has fallen sharply with the global under-5 mortality rate dropping about 51% from 2000 to 2015, but progress has slowed since then while neonatal deaths still account for about 29% of under-5 deaths worldwide.
03 · Category
Interventions3 stats
01
Insecticide-treated bed nets reduce malaria mortality; WHO estimates they reduce child deaths by about 20% where malaria is endemic.[3]
02
Antenatal corticosteroids for mothers at risk of preterm delivery can reduce neonatal death and respiratory distress syndrome.[3]
03
Early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour reduces neonatal mortality; WHO recommends starting breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.[3]
Interpretation
Interventions Interpretation
Under the Interventions angle, simple actions like insecticide-treated bed nets and early breastfeeding can cut child deaths by about 20% in malaria-endemic areas, while antenatal corticosteroids for mothers at risk of preterm delivery help further reduce neonatal deaths.
04 · Category
Risk Factors8 stats
01
Suboptimal breastfeeding is estimated to contribute to 823,000 deaths in children under 5 per year globally.[4]
02
Indoor air pollution from solid fuels causes about 540,000 deaths of children under 5 each year globally.[3]
03
Wasting affects 7.5% of children under 5 globally and increases risk of death.[3]
04
Obstructed labour is a major driver of newborn deaths; WHO estimates that complications of pregnancy and childbirth account for about 2.6 million stillbirths and early neonatal deaths (conceptually linked to risk).[3]
05
In 2019, 2.2 million children were stillborn or died in the first week after birth, reflecting preventable perinatal risks.[3]
06
2.2 million deaths per year are attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene globally (global mortality burden estimate).[5]
07
74% of households in sub-Saharan Africa use solid fuels (share estimate for exposure to household air pollution in major regional assessments).[6]
08
80% of children in households using solid fuels are exposed to high levels of household air pollution (exposure prevalence estimate in global energy/health tracking).[6]
Interpretation
Risk Factors Interpretation
Across these risk factors, the numbers point to a preventable pattern, with 823,000 under five deaths linked to suboptimal breastfeeding and another 540,000 tied to household air pollution from solid fuels, a risk magnified by the fact that 74% of households in sub Saharan Africa use solid fuels and 80% of children in those homes face high exposure.
More related reading
05 · Category
Health Systems1 stats
01
In 2019, 1 in 10 children under 5 lacked access to healthcare for their pneumonia symptoms (coverage gap estimate).[1]
Interpretation
Health Systems Interpretation
In 2019, an estimated 1 in 10 children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms lacked access to healthcare, showing a clear health systems coverage gap that prevented timely treatment.
06 · Category
Geographic Inequities3 stats
01
In 2019, an estimated 5.2 million child deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia combined (about 60%+ of global under-5 deaths).[2]
02
In 2022, under-5 mortality in rural areas was higher than in urban areas in most low- and middle-income countries (UNICEF inequality analysis).[2]
03
In 2022, neonatal mortality was lowest in high-income countries at 2 deaths per 1,000 live births.[2]
Interpretation
Geographic Inequities Interpretation
Geographic inequities remain stark, with 5.2 million child deaths in 2019 concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and in 2022 under 5 mortality stayed higher in rural than urban areas across most low and middle income countries while neonatal mortality was just 2 deaths per 1,000 live births in high income settings.
07 · Category
Immunization Coverage1 stats
01
86% of the world’s children aged 12–23 months received 3 doses of DTP-containing vaccine in 2022 (global coverage estimate).[2]
Interpretation
Immunization Coverage Interpretation
In 2022, immunization coverage remained strong but not universal, with 86% of the world’s children aged 12 to 23 months receiving 3 doses of DTP-containing vaccines.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Child Death Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/child-death-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Child Death Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/child-death-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Child Death Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/child-death-statistics.
Sources & references
6 sources cited across this report