UNIGME REPORT 2025

NEWS: United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) report highlights the global slowdown in reducing child mortality, while India shows steady progress

Key Highlights

• ~4.9 million children under five died in 2024, including 2.3 million newborns
• Global under-five mortalityàDeclined by over 50% since 2000–>progress has slowed by more than 60% since 2015
• Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 58% of total under-five deaths

Major Causes of Child Deaths

• Preterm birth, birth asphyxia, & delivery-related complications account for the largest share of under-five deaths.
• Infectious diseases: Malaria, pneumonia, & diarrhoea remain leading causes, especially in developing regions.
• Acute malnutrition weakens immunity & increases risk of death among children.

India’s Status in Child Mortality

• Under-5 Mortality RateàU5MR decreased significantly from 127 in 1990 to 27 in 2024 (UN).
• Neonatal Mortality RateàNMR reduced from 57 (1990) to 17 in 2024 (UN).
• As per the Sample Registration System (SRS), MMR fell from 130 in 2014–16 to 88 in 2020–22.

Government Schemes and Initiatives for Maternal & Child Health

• Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC): Skin-to-skin care for low-birth-weight babies.
• National Health Mission (NHM)àUmbrella programme for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) services.
• Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)àconditional cash transfer scheme promoting institutional deliveries among poor and vulnerable women.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)àfree delivery, Caesarean section, drugs, diagnostics, diet, blood, and transport for mothers and infants.
• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)à Ensures free antenatal care (ANC) by
• STOP Diarrhoea Campaign: Promotes Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and Zinc therapy.
• Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA)à Promotes breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding.