Infant deaths in China
China: Infant deaths was 36,113 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Infant deaths in China, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2024, infant deaths in China stood at 36,113. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
That represents a change of down 10.4% on the previous year and down 78.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, infant deaths in China peaked at 512,163 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 36,113, in 2024.
That places China 26th out of 213 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Infant deaths in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 512,163 | — |
| 2001 | 471,560 | -7.9% |
| 2002 | 419,995 | -10.9% |
| 2003 | 380,215 | -9.5% |
| 2004 | 347,333 | -8.6% |
| 2005 | 319,614 | -8.0% |
| 2006 | 294,735 | -7.8% |
| 2007 | 274,048 | -7.0% |
| 2008 | 257,074 | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 241,569 | -6.0% |
| 2010 | 223,179 | -7.6% |
| 2011 | 204,023 | -8.6% |
| 2012 | 194,969 | -4.4% |
| 2013 | 181,373 | -7.0% |
| 2014 | 164,971 | -9.0% |
| 2015 | 148,623 | -9.9% |
| 2016 | 135,480 | -8.8% |
| 2017 | 127,502 | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 108,025 | -15.3% |
| 2019 | 89,261 | -17.4% |
| 2020 | 72,879 | -18.4% |
| 2021 | 57,002 | -21.8% |
| 2022 | 47,242 | -17.1% |
| 2023 | 40,319 | -14.7% |
| 2024 | 36,113 | -10.4% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 36,113 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,252, 28.9× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- China's 36,113 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 636.5, 56.7× the median. (28 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 351,831 | 241,569 | 512,163 | 10 |
| 2010s | 157,741 | 89,261 | 223,179 | 10 |
| 2020s | 50,711 | 36,113 | 72,879 | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
- 23 Madagascar 42,981 compare
- 24 Philippines 39,731 compare
- 25 Cameroon 38,551 compare
- 27 Burkina Faso 31,762 compare
- 28 Brazil 31,647 compare
- 29 Zimbabwe 30,713 compare
More development goals data for China
- Red List Index 0.8295 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 11.52 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 3,492 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 76 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 76 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 37 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 216 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 849 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 872 (2025)
- Neonatal deaths 22,892 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is infant deaths in China?
- Infant deaths in China was 36,113 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest infant deaths recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 512,163 in 2000.
- What is the lowest infant deaths recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 36,113 in 2024.
- How does China rank for infant deaths?
- China ranks 26th out of 213 countries with data for 2024.
- Is infant deaths rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 78.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Infant deaths (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).