Global Child Mortality Rates Stagnate Amid Funding Cuts

In 2024, approximately 4.9 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns, according to a report from the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). This figure highlights a troubling stagnation in progress towards reducing child mortality, with the pace of decline slowing by over 60% since 2015. The report identifies severe acute malnutrition, lack of healthcare professionals, and infectious diseases as primary contributors to these deaths. Notably, more than 100,000 children aged between one and 59 months died directly from severe acute malnutrition, a statistic that underscores the need for improved health interventions.

Five million children in Nigeria, other nations still die annually before fifth birthday: UNUN says 4.9 million children died before fifth birthday two years agoUN: Around 4.9 Million Children Under Five Died in 2024Newsmax (website)

The leading causes of death among newborns include complications from preterm birth (36%) and issues during labor and delivery (21%). Infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia are significant contributors to mortality beyond the neonatal period, with malaria being the largest single cause, accounting for 17% of deaths in this age group. The burden of child mortality is disproportionately concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, which accounted for 58% of all under-five deaths in 2024, and Southern Asia, which contributed 25%. Countries like Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan report some of the highest mortality rates.

UN says 4.9 million children died before fifth birthday two years agoFive million children in Nigeria, other nations still die annually before fifth birthday: UNUN: Around 4.9 Million Children Under Five Died in 2024Newsmax (website)

The report indicates that recent global budget cuts have exacerbated the situation. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that “no child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent,” yet the cuts threaten to undermine past achievements in child survival. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that children living in conflict zones are nearly three times more likely to die before age five, highlighting the urgent need for sustained investment in health services.

UN: Around 4.9 Million Children Under Five Died in 2024

The UN report urges governments and private donors to prioritize investments in primary healthcare systems to prevent and treat the leading causes of child mortality. Monique Vledder, World Bank Group Director of Health, called for a renewed commitment to implementing proven solutions that can save lives. The report stresses the importance of quality antenatal care, skilled healthcare personnel at birth, and essential newborn services as critical components in reducing child mortality rates.

UN says 4.9 million children died before fifth birthday two years ago

While the report indicates a stagnation in child mortality rates, there are discrepancies in the data collection methods used in previous years, making direct comparisons challenging. Additionally, the report suggests that the true impact of severe acute malnutrition may be underestimated due to inadequate data capture regarding its role as an underlying cause of death.

Five million children in Nigeria, other nations still die annually before fifth birthday: UN

• “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 where we’re seeing further global budget cuts,” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

UN says 4.9 million children died before fifth birthday two years ago

• “ Also reacting to the report, World Bank Group’s director of health, Monique Vledder, said, “These findings are a collective call to speed up implementation of the proven, scalable solutions we know are within reach.” — Monique Vledder, World Bank Group Director, Health

Five million children in Nigeria, other nations still die annually before fifth birthday: UN

• “Children living amid conflict and crisis are nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday.” — Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Five million children in Nigeria, other nations still die annually before fifth birthday: UN

The UN report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in child health and the critical need for renewed political commitment and funding to ensure that no child is left behind.

UN says 4.9 million children died before fifth birthday two years ago