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Deaths per 1,000 live births in the first year of life (2026)

237/237 countries
Global17.81per 1,000 live birthsYear-over-year-3.01%5-year change-12.74%
1950
2026
2100

Rankings at a glance

Top 10 · Deaths per 1,000 live births in the first year of life (2026)

With 68.1 per 1,000 live births in 2026, Sierra Leone is projected to lead the world in deaths per 1,000 live births in the first year of life, followed by Nigeria (66.91 per 1,000 live births) and the Central African Republic (64.8 per 1,000 live births). The top 5 is rounded off by Somalia (64.35 per 1,000 live births) and Guinea (63.06 per 1,000 live births). Further down, South Sudan (62.15 per 1,000 live births) and Chad (61.72 per 1,000 live births) hold the next two spots. Niger (60.96 per 1,000 live births), Mali (57.89 per 1,000 live births), and Liberia (53.46 per 1,000 live births) round out the top ten.

Rank changes

How deaths per 1,000 live births in the first year of life changed between two years

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Historical trends

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Frequently asked questions

Which country has the lowest infant mortality rate?
San Marino is projected to have the lowest infant mortality rate at 1.04 per 1,000 live births in 2026, according to UN Population Division (2024).
Which country has the highest infant mortality rate?
Sierra Leone is projected to have the highest infant mortality rate at 68.1 per 1,000 live births in 2026, according to UN Population Division (2024).
What is the global infant mortality rate?
Weighted by population, the global infant mortality rate is projected to be 17.81 per 1,000 live births in 2026, according to UN Population Division (2024).

Source: UN Population Division (2024) · Updated