Global Child Mortality Decline at Risk Amid Funding Cuts, Warns UN Report
The number of children dying before their fifth birthday globally dropped to 4.8 million in 2023, while stillbirths saw only a slight reduction, remaining at approximately 1.9 million, according to new reports from the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME).
Since 2000, child mortality has been cut by more than half, and stillbirth rates have declined by over a third, thanks to continuous investments in child health. In 2022, the world marked a significant achievement as child deaths fell below 5 million for the first time. However, this progress is now in jeopardy, with funding cuts threatening life-saving programs.
Funding Cuts Endanger Child Survival Initiatives
Recent reductions in global funding for child survival programs are leading to shortages of healthcare workers, clinic shutdowns, disruptions in vaccination efforts, and a lack of essential medicines, such as malaria treatments. These setbacks are hitting the hardest in regions already facing humanitarian crises, economic distress, and high child mortality rates. The UN IGME warns that scaling back financial support could also undermine monitoring and tracking efforts, making it even more difficult to assist vulnerable children.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, stressed the urgency of continued action:
“From fighting malaria to preventing stillbirths and ensuring quality care for newborns, we have the tools to save millions of lives. In light of these funding cuts, collaboration is more critical than ever to protect and improve children’s health.”
Progress Has Slowed, Raising Alarms
Even before the funding crisis, advancements in child survival had begun to decelerate. The annual rate of reduction in under-five mortality has slowed by 42% since 2015, while progress in reducing stillbirths has declined by 53% compared to the 2000–2015 period.
Nearly half of all child deaths occur within the first month of life, primarily due to premature birth and complications during labor. For children beyond the newborn stage, infectious diseases—such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrheal infections—remain leading causes of preventable deaths. Meanwhile, 45% of late stillbirths take place during labor, often due to maternal infections, prolonged or obstructed labor, and the absence of timely medical intervention.
The Need for Strengthened Health Systems
Reports emphasize that expanding access to quality maternal, newborn, and child healthcare can significantly reduce child deaths. Critical measures include:
- Promoting preventive care within communities
- Ensuring timely visits to healthcare professionals during pregnancy and childbirth
- Strengthening antenatal and postnatal care
- Expanding vaccination programs and nutrition initiatives
- Improving diagnosis and treatment for common childhood illnesses
- Providing specialized care for preterm and critically ill newborns
Juan Pablo Uribe, World Bank Global Director for Health, highlighted the long-term benefits of investing in child health:
“Most preventable child deaths occur in low-income countries where access to essential healthcare services, vaccines, and treatments is limited. Investing in children’s health not only ensures their survival but also strengthens their future, contributing to education, economic growth, and job creation.”
Survival Disparities Across Regions
A child’s birthplace significantly impacts their chances of survival. A child born in the highest-mortality country is 80 times more likely to die before age five than one born in the lowest-mortality country. In sub-Saharan Africa, children are, on average, 18 times more likely to die before turning five than those born in Australia or New Zealand.
Similar disparities exist in stillbirth rates, with nearly 80% occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Women in these regions are six to eight times more likely to experience a stillbirth than those in Europe or North America. Moreover, women in low-income countries are eight times more likely to suffer stillbirths than those in high-income nations.
A Call to Protect Hard-Won Progress
UN IGME urges governments, donors, and partners across sectors to safeguard the achievements made in child survival. Increased investments, integration of services, and innovative solutions are essential to ensuring broader access to life-saving healthcare, nutrition, and social protection for children and pregnant women.
Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General of UN DESA, underscored the moral and developmental imperative of reducing child mortality:
“The persistent disparities in child mortality across and within nations remain one of the greatest challenges of our time. Addressing these gaps is not just a moral duty but a necessary step toward sustainable development and global equity. Every child deserves a fair start in life, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure no child is left behind.”
The reports emphasize that while progress has been remarkable, the momentum must not be lost. Protecting and improving child survival requires urgent financial and policy commitments to secure a healthier future for children worldwide.
