UN Report: 4.9 Million Under-Five Deaths in 2024 Amid Warnings of Slowing Progress

A new United Nations report revealed that approximately 4.9 million children under the age of five died in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns, marking the first comprehensive assessment of the leading causes of child mortality in this age group.

The report, titled “Levels and Trends in Child Mortality,” indicated that most of these deaths could have been prevented through simple, low-cost interventions, along with improved access to quality healthcare services.

It noted that the world has made significant progress in reducing child mortality, with deaths declining by more than half since 2000. However, the pace of progress has slowed considerably since 2015, by more than 60 percent.

The report warned that continued slowdown could hinder the achievement of global child survival goals, calling for increased investment in the health sector, particularly in the most vulnerable countries, to save more lives.