Global Child Mortality Rates Stagnate Amid Aid Cuts

In 2024, an estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday, according to a report by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). This figure reflects a troubling trend, as the pace of reduction in child mortality has slowed significantly since 2015, with the decline dropping by over 60%. The report highlights that most of these deaths were preventable through low-cost interventions and improved access to healthcare.

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The leading causes of child mortality include complications from preterm birth, neonatal infections, and preventable infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. Notably, malaria accounted for 17% of deaths among children over one month old, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in countries like Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, and Nigeria. Additionally, over 100,000 children aged 1-59 months died directly from severe acute malnutrition in 2024, with Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan identified as the most affected regions.

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Child mortality rates are heavily concentrated in specific regions, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 58% of all under-five deaths and Southern Asia for 25%. The report indicates that children in conflict-affected settings are nearly three times more likely to die before age five. In contrast, Europe and North America together accounted for only 9% of these deaths, primarily due to birth complications and unintentional injuries.

Global child deaths rise as progress stalls, UN warns – Channel Africa

The report underscores the impact of recent global budget cuts on child health initiatives. In 2025, international aid for health fell by nearly 27% compared to 2024, exacerbating the challenges faced in reducing child mortality. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that "no child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent," warning that these cuts could lead to stagnation or reversal of progress made in child survival.

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Experts have raised concerns about the slowing progress in child mortality reduction. Dr. Li Liu from Johns Hopkins University noted that targeted investments in primary healthcare, maternal and newborn health services, and nutrition programs are essential to saving lives. The UK Government's impact assessment also warned that reductions in health spending could lead to increased disease burden and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations.

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The UN report calls for renewed political commitment and investment in child health initiatives. It stresses that proven, low-cost interventions, including vaccines and skilled care at birth, are among the most effective measures to save lives. As the global community faces increasing challenges from conflict, climate change, and funding pressures, the need for sustained investment in child health has never been more critical.

Global child deaths rise as progress stalls, UN warns – Channel Africa

• “No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. But we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing, and at a time when we are seeing further global budget cuts,” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

Global child deaths rise as progress stalls, UN warns – Channel Africa

• “The science is clear: targeted investments in primary health care, maternal and newborn health services, routine immunisation, nutrition programmes, and quality and timely data systems can save millions of lives.” — Dr. Li Liu, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

The Telegraph - UK

• “Evidence shows that investments in child health remain among the most cost-effective development measures,” — UN Report on Child Mortality

Health: UN warns progress on countering child mortality slow