Child Mortality
Mortality rate of children under age five per 100,000 children under age five.
Why did we include this measure?
All forms of mortality are concerning, but the deaths of young children are especially alarming, given the vulnerability of this group. A rising number of deaths also signals larger trends in threats and risks, even to those who survive.
How does the US rank globally?
- Specific Measure: Mortality rate of children under age five per 100,000 live births.
(Source: Authors’ analysis of World Health Organization data).
- Percentage of countries the US outperforms: 57% (out of 116 countries)
- International Rank Trend: Worsening
National Trend Improving
What do the data show?
We have been making steady progress on this metric. Child mortality has been cut almost in half since 1990. However, other countries have apparently been making more progress as we remain in the middle of the pack and our relative position is declining. Currently, we rank just below Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovakia.
What might explain these patterns?
The vast majority of high-income countries are reducing child mortality. The leading causes of death among infants and toddlers in the US are (in order): accidents, health conditions, and homicides. (When including adolescents and teenagers, the leading cause is murder/suicide.) The recent decline in US child mortality is almost entirely due to a decline in motor vehicle accident deaths. These have declined faster than the overall death rate from motor vehicle deaths, indicating that this is partly related to much greater use and quality of car seats and seat belt use. The decline in mortality is also happening despite the rise in low birthweight, which increases child mortality.
For more information about data sources and treatments, download the Data Notes.