UNICEF reports 4.9 million under-five deaths in 2024, with progress slowing since 2015 and preventable causes still claiming millions of young lives.
VIENNA: An estimated 4.9 million children under the age of five died worldwide in 2024, equating to roughly nine deaths every single minute.
The new report from the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, compiled with other UN organisations, states most of these deaths could have been prevented through cost-effective measures and access to healthcare.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasised that no child should die from diseases we know how to prevent.
While the number of deaths before age five has fallen by more than half globally since 2000, progress has slowed considerably since 2015.
Russell also highlighted that budgets for such efforts are being cut worldwide, without directly mentioning recent drastic cuts in US aid.
Child mortality varies drastically by region, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 58% of all under-five deaths where infectious diseases play a major role.
South Asia recorded around 25% of all cases, with many babies dying shortly after birth, while Europe and North America together account for just 1.1%.
The risk for newborns, babies and infants is particularly acute in war and crisis zones.
The report also compiled data for the 5-to-24 age group, which saw an estimated 2.1 million deaths in 2024.
It showed girls between 15 and 19 die most frequently from suicidal behaviour, while boys of the same age most often die in road traffic accidents.
