Under-five deaths in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Under-five deaths was 1,898 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Under-five deaths in Sri Lanka, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for under-five deaths in Sri Lanka is 1,898, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is down 4.5% on the previous year and down 42.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, under-five deaths in Sri Lanka peaked at 10,871 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 1,898, in 2024.
Sri Lanka ranks 103rd of 213 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
Under-five deaths in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5,602 | — |
| 2001 | 5,663 | +1.1% |
| 2002 | 5,716 | +0.9% |
| 2003 | 5,682 | -0.6% |
| 2004 | 10,871 | +91.3% |
| 2005 | 5,283 | -51.4% |
| 2006 | 5,054 | -4.3% |
| 2007 | 4,834 | -4.4% |
| 2008 | 4,569 | -5.5% |
| 2009 | 8,044 | +76.1% |
| 2010 | 4,071 | -49.4% |
| 2011 | 3,894 | -4.3% |
| 2012 | 3,733 | -4.1% |
| 2013 | 3,549 | -4.9% |
| 2014 | 3,323 | -6.4% |
| 2015 | 3,085 | -7.2% |
| 2016 | 2,879 | -6.7% |
| 2017 | 2,710 | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 2,567 | -5.3% |
| 2019 | 2,435 | -5.1% |
| 2020 | 2,307 | -5.3% |
| 2021 | 2,188 | -5.2% |
| 2022 | 2,081 | -4.9% |
| 2023 | 1,987 | -4.5% |
| 2024 | 1,898 | -4.5% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 1,898 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,440, 1.3× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 1,898 is below the median for South Asia, which is 8,078, 23% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Under-five deaths in Sri Lanka changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +91.3% | 5,682 | 10,871 |
| 2009 | +76.1% | 4,569 | 8,044 |
| 2005 | -51.4% | 10,871 | 5,283 |
| 2010 | -49.4% | 8,044 | 4,071 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6,132 | 4,569 | 10,871 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3,225 | 2,435 | 4,071 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,092 | 1,898 | 2,307 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More development goals data for Sri Lanka
- Red List Index 0.6659 index (2025)
- Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin 628.59 per 100,000 people (2025)
- Manufacturing value added per capita 605.53 constant US$ (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds 26 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds (not extinct) 25 (2025)
- Number of transboundary breeds with unknown risk status 17 (2025)
- Number of local breeds with unknown risk status 11 (2025)
- Number of local breeds (not extinct) 20 (2025)
- Number of local breeds kept in the country 20 (2025)
- Infant deaths 1,663 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is under-five deaths in Sri Lanka?
- Under-five deaths in Sri Lanka was 1,898 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest under-five deaths recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 10,871 in 2004.
- What is the lowest under-five deaths recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,898 in 2024.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for under-five deaths?
- Sri Lanka ranks 103rd out of 213 countries with data for 2024.
- Is under-five deaths rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 42.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Under-five 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).