Child mortality hits record lows in India and China

Across Asia, a quiet revolution in child health is playing out: more newborns are surviving their first year than ever before. Recent national data show significant drops in infant deaths across the world’s three most populated countries, reflecting long-term changes in healthcare access, maternal services, and public policy.

These declines are not uniform, but they are striking. India, China, and Indonesia each reported record-low infant mortality rates in recent years, signaling progress that has immediate human impact and long-term implications for public health planning.

Infant mortality trends: the latest numbers for India, China, and Indonesia

Here are the headline figures that capture the recent shift in child survival across Asia:

• India: Infant mortality fell from about 30 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019 to roughly 24 per 1,000 in 2024.
• China: In 2025 the country reported an infant mortality rate of 3.8 per 1,000 live births and an under-5 mortality rate of 5.4 per 1,000.
• Indonesia: The nation recorded its lowest-ever infant mortality rate at 14 per 1,000 live births in 2024, roughly a 50% reduction since 2010.

These figures place China’s infant mortality below many high-income nations, while India and Indonesia show dramatic year-on-year improvements even as they continue to grapple with internal inequalities.

How improved maternal and newborn care is driving the declines

Health systems and community programs are playing a central role. A defining trend is the rise in births attended by skilled health workers, better pre- and postnatal care, and expanded coverage of essential child health services.

• In India, for example, the share of births that received professional medical attention climbed from about 83% to 95% over recent years, a key factor in reducing newborn deaths.
• China’s near-universal public medical insurance—covering roughly 95% of the population—helps provide a baseline of care, and the country also offers free healthcare for children aged 0–6 to promote early-life health.
• Indonesia’s gains reflect investments in community clinics, vaccine outreach, and improved maternal nutrition programs.

Skilled birth attendance, routine immunizations, and early childhood interventions are among the most effective measures to cut infant and under-5 mortality, and countries that scale these services see rapid improvements.

Regional snapshots: where progress is accelerating and where gaps remain

India: big nation, big variation

India’s national numbers mask sharp differences between states. Some lower-income regions, such as Bihar, and wealthier states like Tamil Nadu, have both recorded near-50% reductions in infant deaths in recent years—an unusual convergence driven by targeted programs and strengthened primary care.

• Areas with improved sanitation, higher rates of facility deliveries, and stronger maternal education have seen the largest gains.
• Despite progress, India’s infant mortality rate remains more than four times higher than rates in the United States, underscoring the uneven distribution of health services across the country.

China: low rates, broad coverage, limited benefits

China’s infant mortality statistics are now lower than many Western peers, a notable achievement for an upper-middle-income country. Yet the country’s public insurance programs commonly limit the scope and cost coverage of certain services. Still, free pediatric care programs for children under six aim to reduce preventable illness and provide a healthier start to life.

Indonesia: sustained progress in middle-income context

Indonesia’s infant mortality rate falling to 14 per 1,000 live births marks a major improvement since 2010. The World Bank and national health authorities point to improved vaccination rates, strengthened maternal care, and better access to nutrition as contributors to the decline.

Key strategies fueling declines in child mortality

Several consistent policy and programmatic actions appear across countries achieving the steepest drops in infant deaths:

• Expanding skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care.
• Increasing routine immunization coverage to reduce infectious causes of infant and child death.
• Boosting maternal education and nutrition, which improves newborn survival.
• Strengthening primary health systems and community outreach to reach underserved populations.
• Implementing social policies that reduce poverty and improve water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Ongoing challenges for child survival efforts

Even as national averages improve, persistent obstacles remain. Geographic and socioeconomic inequalities mean some communities still face high rates of newborn and under-5 deaths. Health insurance coverage can be broad but thin—available to many but not comprehensive in benefits—leaving families exposed to costly care. And new threats, from climate-related shocks to pandemic disruptions, can quickly reverse fragile gains.

Targeted investments in the poorest regions, better financial protection for families, and continued focus on early childhood care will be central to sustaining the momentum in the coming years.

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.