Infant Mortality Rate: Japan

Analysis# Japan Infant Mortality Rate Japan's infant mortality rate stands at 1.8 per 1,000 births in 2024, representing one of the world's lowest levels. This figure reflects a dramatic 94.1% decline since 1960, when the rate peaked at 30.4 per 1,000 births. The country reached its all-time low of 1.8 in 2019 and has maintained this level consistently for the past five years, demonstrating both achievement and stability in infant health outcomes. The steepest improvements occurred between 1960 and the early 2000s, driven by advances in healthcare infrastructure, maternal care standards, and public health initiatives. Since 2017, the rate has stabilized around 1.8 per 1,000 births with no further decline, suggesting Japan has approached its practical minimum. This plateau reflects the challenge of reducing mortality below current thresholds without major medical innovations.