UN Report Reveals Global Child Deaths Reached Historic Low In 2022

The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) has reported a significant milestone in global health: the number of children dying before their fifth birthday has fallen to a historic low of 4.9 million in 2022. This figure represents a 51% decrease in under-5 mortality rates worldwide since the year 2000. Notably, countries such as Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda have achieved reductions in child mortality of over 75% during this period. Despite these achievements, the challenge of preventing all child and youth deaths remains formidable.

In addition to the under-5 fatalities, another 2.1 million children and youth aged between 5 and 24 years also lost their lives prematurely in the same year. A significant proportion of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, with most being attributed to preventable or treatable conditions such as preterm birth complications, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria. The report emphasizes that enhanced access to quality primary healthcare services—including vaccinations, skilled birth attendants, breastfeeding support, and treatment for childhood illnesses—could have averted many of these deaths.

Investment in education, job creation, and improved working conditions for health workers is deemed essential for increasing healthcare access and saving children's lives. Community health workers are highlighted as particularly crucial for reaching families with vital health services. Furthermore, integrated management of childhood illnesses is necessary to bolster child health and survival rates.

However, the report also warns of ongoing threats to child survival, including economic instability, conflicts, climate change, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It points out persistent inequities and disparities in child mortality rates; children from the poorest households are twice as likely to die before age 5 compared to those from wealthier families. Moreover, children living in fragile or conflict-affected settings face nearly triple the risk of dying before their fifth birthday.

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to child survival, concerted efforts and investments are required to reduce inequities and prevent child deaths globally. The report calls for improvements in data and statistical systems to better track and monitor child survival and health outcomes. It projects that without significant intervention, 35 million children will die before reaching their fifth birthday by 2030, with the majority of these deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia, and low- and lower-middle-income countries.

UNICEF is actively working towards reaching the most disadvantaged children worldwide to ensure a brighter future for all children. The organization's efforts are focused on addressing the root causes of child mortality and promoting equitable access to healthcare services.