Infant Mortality Rate: Malawi

Analysis# Malawi Infant Mortality Rate Malawi recorded 38 infant deaths per 1,000 births in 2024, representing a dramatic transformation from its 1969 peak of 165.9 deaths per 1,000 births. Since 1961, the country has achieved a 76.8% reduction in infant mortality, one of sub-Saharan Africa's most significant public health improvements. The current rate matches the all-time low reached in 2018, reflecting decades of sustained progress in maternal and child health interventions. Recent years reveal a plateau rather than continued decline. From 2015 through 2024, the rate has stabilized between 38 and 39.7 deaths per 1,000 births, suggesting Malawi has reached a temporary ceiling in mortality reduction. This stability, while positive, indicates that further gains may require new strategies to address remaining barriers to infant survival in rural and underserved communities.