Nearly 5 million children died before age 5 in 2024, UN report warns

2026-03-18 - 14:30

GENEVA — An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2024, as progress in reducing child mortality slowed sharply, according to a United Nations report released Wednesday.While under-five deaths have declined by more than half since 2000, the pace of progress has slowed by over 60% since 2015, raising concerns that global efforts are losing momentum.The report, produced by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the UN Population Division, said most of these deaths were preventable through low-cost interventions and improved access to quality healthcare.“No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. But we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.Newborns accounted for nearly half of all deaths, reflecting slower progress in preventing fatalities around childbirth. Complications from preterm birth made up 36% of newborn deaths, followed by complications during labor and delivery at 21%.Beyond the first month, infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea remained major causes of death, with malaria alone accounting for 17% of deaths among older children.For the first time, the report also estimated deaths directly linked to severe acute malnutrition, finding more than 100,000 children died from it in 2024.“Children living amid conflict and crisis are nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, calling for stronger protection of essential health and nutrition services.Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 58% of under-five deaths, followed by Southern Asia with 25%, with children in fragile settings facing significantly higher risks.The report also found that around 2.1 million children, adolescents and young people aged 5 to 24 died in 2024, with causes shifting by age group. Infectious diseases and injuries remain key causes among younger groups, while self-harm is the leading cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19, and road traffic injuries among boys.The findings come as global funding for health systems faces growing pressure, raising concerns about the sustainability of maternal, newborn and child health programs.The report warned that continued investment in healthcare services, data systems and essential care is critical to preserving progress and accelerating further gains.