4.9 Million Children Died Before Age 5 in 2024: UNICEF Report Reveals Slowing Progress

4.9 Million Preventable Child Deaths in 2024: Why Progress Is Slowing and How We Can Save Lives Now

In 2024, 4.9 million children died before age 5, including 2.3 million newborns—mostly preventable. Discover causes, inequalities, and proven solutions from the latest UNICEF report to end child mortality.

Introduction

Every child has the right to survive and thrive, yet in 2024, the world witnessed an estimated 4.9 million under-five deaths—equivalent to about 13,300 children lost every single day. Of these, 2.3 million were newborns in their first 28 days of life. According to the latest Levels and Trends in Child Mortality report by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (released March 2026), most of these tragedies stem from preventable causes like infections, malnutrition, and birth complications. While we've halved child deaths since 2000, the rate of progress has slowed dramatically—dropping over 60% since 2015—leaving millions at risk without immediate, scaled-up action.

Historic Gains vs. Current Stagnation

Global child survival has seen incredible advancements:

The under-five mortality rate plunged 60% from 93.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 37.4 in 2024.

Since 2000, under-five deaths have more than halved, saving tens of millions of lives through vaccines, better nutrition, and maternal care.

Yet momentum is fading. The annual reduction rate fell from 3.9% (2000–2015) to just 1.5% (2015–2024). Projections warn of 27.3 million additional under-five deaths between 2025 and 2030 if trends continue—nearly half neonatal. This slowdown threatens Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 (ending preventable child deaths by 2030).

Main Causes of Under-Five Deaths in 2024

The report highlights preventable killers, with causes varying by age:

Newborns (nearly 47% of total): Complications from prematurity (leading factor), birth asphyxia/trauma, and infections like sepsis.

Children 1–59 months: 

Infectious diseases dominate—pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria—often worsened by malnutrition as an underlying risk factor.

In high-burden areas, malaria and pneumonia alone drive massive shares of post-neonatal deaths.

These conditions are treatable with low-cost tools: antibiotics, oral rehydration, bed nets, and therapeutic nutrition.

Deep Inequalities Persist

Disparities remain shocking:

Sub-Saharan Africa bore 58% of global under-five deaths in 2024 (around 2.8 million children).

Southern Asia followed with about 25%.

Children in fragile, conflict-affected, or low-resource settings face up to 3 times higher risk.

A child in sub-Saharan Africa is 18 times more likely to die before age 5 than one in low-risk regions like Australia/New Zealand.

These gaps reflect unequal access to healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and nutrition—exacerbated by conflict, poverty, and climate impacts.

Proven Solutions and Massive Returns on Investment

The good news: We have effective, affordable interventions that work. Scaling them could avert most deaths:

Vaccines  Protect against pneumonia, diarrhoea, and more.

Skilled birth attendance and essential newborn care — Critical for safe deliveries and handling complications.

Nutrition programs Breastfeeding promotion, micronutrients, and ready-to-use therapeutic foods combat malnutrition.

Primary healthcare access 

Including malaria prevention (insecticide-treated nets) and prompt treatment of infections.

Every $1 invested in these areas yields up to $20–$30 in economic and health benefits through healthier populations, reduced healthcare costs, and increased productivity. Prioritizing fragile settings accelerates impact.

Call to Action: 

Ending Preventable Child Deaths Is Possible

The 4.9 million deaths in 2024 are not fate—they are a failure of equity and urgency. Governments, donors, NGOs, and communities must:

Increase funding for maternal/child health programs.

Strengthen health systems in high-burden regions.

Ensure equitable vaccine and nutrition access.

Address root causes like poverty and conflict.

With renewed commitment, we can reignite progress and give every child the survival chance they deserve. No child should die from preventable causes in 2026 or beyond.

Sources

UNICEF/UN IGME Levels and Trends in Child Mortality Report (2025/2026 release), WHO, World Bank data.

4.9 Million Children Died Before Age 5 in 2024: UNICEF Report Reveals Slowing Progress