Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world’s deadliest region for young children, accounting for roughly 2.8 million under-five deaths in 2024, even as global child mortality continues its long-term decline, according to new estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The figures highlight a stark imbalance in survival chances, with children born in the region far more likely to die before their fifth birthday than those in other parts of the world.
While global deaths have fallen to 4.9 million, less than half the toll recorded in 2000, the pace of improvement has slowed significantly in recent years.
Health experts attribute much of Africa’s burden to preventable causes. Complications linked to premature birth and difficult deliveries remain leading killers in the first weeks of life, while diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea continue to claim lives beyond infancy.
Limited access to skilled care, essential medicines and timely treatment compounds the risks.
Despite the challenges, progress across the continent has not been uniform. Some countries are demonstrating that rapid gains are achievable with focused interventions.
Expanded immunisation, improved maternal care and stronger primary health systems have helped reduce deaths in several settings, offering a blueprint for wider adoption.
Vaccination, in particular, has been central to global success. Coverage has risen dramatically over the past five decades, protecting millions of children from diseases that once caused widespread fatalities. However, gaps persist, especially in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas where health services are fragile.
Humanitarian crises, economic strain and funding shortfalls are further complicating efforts to sustain progress. Disruptions to routine services have left many children without basic care, increasing the risk of preventable deaths.
The World Health Organization is urging governments and development partners to refocus efforts on the most vulnerable populations. Strengthening primary health care, scaling up immunisation and ensuring access to nutrition and lifesaving treatment are seen as critical steps to reversing the slowdown.
Health officials warn that without renewed commitment, the global ambition to end preventable child deaths could slip further out of reach.
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