VIENNA, March 18 (Bernama-dpa) — Around nine children under the age of 5 die every minute, according to UN figures published on Wednesday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
In 2024, there were an estimated 4.9 million deaths among babies and toddlers in this age group worldwide.
Most of these could have been prevented through cost-effective measures and access to health care, according to the report, which was compiled by the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF in New York, together with other UN organisations.
“No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent,” said UNICEF’s head Catherine Russell.
According to the report, the number of deaths before the age of 5 has fallen by more than half worldwide since 2000. However, progress has slowed considerably since 2015.
At the same time, budgets are being cut worldwide, said Russell. She did not directly mention the drastic cuts in US aid, which have taken effect in the past year.
Child mortality varies widely around the world, as does access to medical care. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 58 per cent of all deaths among children under five, with infectious diseases playing a major role.
Around 25 per cent of all cases were recorded in South Asia, where many babies die shortly after birth. Europe and North America together account for just 1.1 per cent.
The risk for newborns, babies and infants is particularly high in war and crisis zones.
The UN organisations also compiled data for the 5-to-24 age group, with an estimated 2.1 million children, adolescents and young adults died in 2024.
Girls between the ages of 15 and 19 die most frequently as a result of suicidal behaviour. Boys of this age die most frequently in road traffic accidents, the report showed.
— BERNAMA-dpa