The United Nations has expressed concern over the slowing pace of progress in reducing child mortality, revealing that an estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024.
The figures are contained in a new report released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, which provides a comprehensive analysis of child deaths and their causes globally.
According to the report, about 2.3 million of the deaths recorded were among newborns, highlighting persistent challenges in improving survival rates within the first month of life. While global under-five mortality has declined significantly—dropping by more than half since 2000—the report noted that progress has slowed considerably since 2015.
The report stated, “This assessment offers the most detailed picture yet of child mortality, including where children are dying and the major causes behind these deaths.”
It also identified severe acute malnutrition as a major contributor, accounting for more than 100,000 deaths among children aged one to 59 months in 2024.
The report warned that the true impact of malnutrition is even greater, as it weakens immunity and increases vulnerability to other illnesses.
Reacting to the findings, UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, stressed that preventable deaths must not be tolerated.
“No child should die from diseases we already know how to prevent,” she said.
“We are seeing troubling signs that progress is slowing, especially at a time of declining global funding. With stronger commitment and sustained investment, more lives can be saved.”
Similarly, Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the inequalities driving child mortality.
“Although remarkable gains have been made, far too many children still die from preventable causes,” he said.
“Children in conflict and crisis settings are nearly three times more likely to die before age five. Protecting essential health and nutrition services is critical.”
The report further revealed that infectious diseases remain leading causes of death among children beyond the neonatal stage, with malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea accounting for a significant share.
Malaria alone was responsible for about 17 per cent of deaths in this category, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the highest burden, accounting for 58 per cent of global under-five deaths. In contrast, regions such as Europe and North America recorded significantly lower mortality rates, reflecting disparities in access to healthcare and life-saving interventions.
Commenting on the findings, World Bank Group health director, Monique Vledder, called for urgent action.
“These findings should serve as a wake-up call to accelerate implementation of proven solutions,” she said. “Expanding access to quality primary healthcare remains essential to saving more children’s lives.”
The report also noted that fragile and conflict-affected countries continue to experience the highest mortality rates, with children in such settings facing a significantly higher risk of death.
Beyond early childhood, the report estimated that about 2.1 million individuals aged 5 to 24 also died in 2024.
While infectious diseases and injuries remain leading causes among younger children, risks shift during adolescence, with self-harm and road traffic accidents emerging as major causes of death among teenagers.
The UN emphasised that most of these deaths are preventable through low-cost interventions, improved nutrition, and stronger healthcare systems, urging governments and global partners to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable children.
