New York, United States — The United Nations has raised concern over slowing progress in reducing child mortality worldwide, revealing that millions of children continue to die from largely preventable causes.
A new report released on Wednesday by the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, a collaboration of major global health and development agencies, shows that an estimated 4.9 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024. Among them were 2.3 million newborns who died within their first month of life.
Okay News reports that while global efforts have led to significant improvements over the past two decades, the pace of progress has slowed sharply in recent years. The report, titled “Level and Trends in Child Mortality,” notes that under-five deaths have dropped by more than half since 2000. However, since 2015, the rate of decline has slowed by more than 60 per cent, raising concerns among global health leaders.
The findings provide one of the most detailed assessments to date, including new estimates on the causes of child deaths. For the first time, deaths directly linked to Severe Acute Malnutrition were quantified, showing that more than 100,000 children aged one to 59 months died from the condition in 2024. The report adds that the true impact is likely much higher, as malnutrition often weakens immunity and increases vulnerability to diseases.
Most of the deaths recorded are considered preventable through low-cost medical interventions and improved access to quality healthcare services. However, disparities remain stark across regions, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 58 per cent of all under-five deaths globally in 2024.
According to the report, newborn deaths now make up nearly half of all child deaths, reflecting slower progress in addressing risks during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early days of life. Complications from preterm birth accounted for 36 per cent of these deaths, while complications during labour and delivery contributed 21 per cent. Infections such as neonatal sepsis and congenital conditions were also major factors.
Beyond the neonatal stage, infectious diseases remain the leading causes of death among young children. Malaria was identified as the single largest killer in this age group, responsible for 17 per cent of deaths, particularly in endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Other major causes include pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases.
The report highlights that progress in reducing malaria-related deaths has slowed after earlier gains between 2000 and 2015. Countries such as Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, and Nigeria continue to bear a heavy burden due to a combination of conflict, climate-related disruptions, drug resistance, and limited access to healthcare.
Fragile and conflict-affected regions face even greater challenges. Children born in such environments are nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday compared to those in more stable settings.
Reacting to the report, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Catherine Russell, said: “No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent.
“However, we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing – and at a time when we’re seeing further global budget cuts.
“History has shown what is possible when the world commits to protecting its children. With sustained investment and political will, we can continue to build on those achievements for future generations.”
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, also stressed the urgency of action. He said: “The world has made remarkable progress in saving children’s lives, but many still die from preventable causes.
“Children living amid conflict and crisis are nearly three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday.
“We must protect essential health and nutrition services and reach the most vulnerable families so every child has the chance not only to survive, but to thrive.”
Monique Vledder, Director for Health at the World Bank Group, described the findings as a call to accelerate action. She said: “These findings are a collective call to speed up implementation of the proven, scalable solutions we know are within reach.
“The World Bank Group health target of reaching 1.5 billion people is our concrete commitment to accelerating access to quality primary health services for more children and families.”
The report also examined mortality among older children and young people, estimating that 2.1 million individuals aged 5 to 24 died in 2024. While infectious diseases and injuries remain key causes among younger children, risks change during adolescence, with self-harm identified as the leading cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19, and road traffic accidents among boys in the same age group.
The findings underscore the need for renewed global commitment, sustained funding, and targeted interventions to ensure that fewer children die from preventable causes and more survive into adulthood.
