Infant Mortality Rate: China

Analysis# China Infant Mortality Rate China's infant mortality rate stands at 4.1 per 1,000 births in 2024, representing the lowest point in the nation's recorded history. This figure marks a dramatic reversal from the 1969 peak of 88.8 per 1,000 births—a 95.4% decline over 55 years. The improvement reflects sustained gains in healthcare infrastructure, maternal care, and living standards across the country's decades of economic development. The rate has accelerated downward since 2015, when it was 8.2 per 1,000 births. Annual reductions have been consistent, dropping roughly 0.4 points yearly through the early 2020s. Current momentum suggests China's infant mortality trajectory will likely stabilize near current levels, as further improvements become incremental in a developed healthcare context.