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Doha – A new report from the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) shows that Morocco has made significant progress in reducing child mortality over the past few decades.
According to the report, the under-five mortality rate in Morocco has declined by an impressive 4.8 percent, dropping from 81 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 52 in 2000, and further to 17 in 2022.
The report also reveals that the infant mortality rate in Morocco has decreased from 64 deaths per 1,000 infants in 1990 to 15 deaths in 2022. Additionally, the neonatal mortality rate has declined by 3.9 percent, falling from 37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 29 deaths in 2000, and reaching 11 in 2022.
However, the report notes that the probability of death among children aged 5 to 14 years has slightly increased, rising from 2 deaths per 1,000 children over five years old in 2000 to 6 deaths in 2022.
On a global scale, the report paints a mixed picture of progress in reducing child mortality. More children are surviving today than ever before, with the global under-five mortality rate declining by 51 percent since 2000.
“This year’s United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)’s findings represent a noteworthy moment in the ongoing campaign to end all preventable child deaths,” the report states. “The annual number of under-five deaths has fallen to 4.9 (4.6–5.4) million in 2022.”
However, despite this remarkable progress, the report also highlights the persistent challenges that remain in ensuring the survival and well-being of children worldwide.
In 2022 alone, an estimated 4.9 million children under the age of five died worldwide. Almost 80 percent of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, and nearly half occurred among newborns. Furthermore, an additional 2.1 million children and youth aged 5-24 also died during the same year.
The report reveals the stark inequalities in child survival based on factors such as geographic location, socio-economic status, and living in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
“A child born in sub-Saharan Africa is on average 18 times more likely to die before turning 5 than one born in the region of Australia and New Zealand, while the risk of death among those younger than 5 in the highest-mortality country is 80 times that of the lowest-mortality country,” the report states.
The report also states that “children endure unequal chances of survival based on where they live, their socio-economic group and if they live in a fragile and conflict-affected setting.”
It additionally notes that “unless urgent action is taken to end preventable newborn and child deaths, many low- and lower-middle-income countries will not meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for newborn and under-five mortality.”
Despite these challenges, the report highlights the inspiring progress made by several low- and lower-middle-income countries, which have outperformed the global decline in under-five mortality. These countries have demonstrated that sustained and strategic investments in maternal, newborn, and child health can yield significant returns, even in resource-constrained settings.
The UNICEF report calls for targeted investments in accessible, quality healthcare. This includes skilled health personnel for births, antenatal and postnatal care, care for small and sick newborns, preventive services such as vaccination, and diagnostic, preventive, and curative measures to address the key causes of childhood deaths.
The report also emphasizes the need to strengthen data systems to track and monitor survival by age and address underlying inequalities.
“Reducing neonatal mortality requires investing in care around the time of birth provided by skilled health personnel, essential newborn care, and care for small and sick newborns,” says the report.
Further reports on child mortality
As the UNICEF report sheds light on the progress and challenges in reducing child mortality, another recent study published in the Lancet — collection of medical journals — reveals a looming global demographic shift that could have far-reaching implications for countries around the world.
According to the study, by 2100, populations in 198 of 204 countries will be shrinking, with most births taking place in poor countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to account for one in every two children born in 2100, with only Somalia, Tonga, Niger, Chad, Samoa and Tajikistan able to sustain their populations.
The demographic shift will lead to a “baby boom” and “baby bust” divide, where wealthier countries struggle to maintain economic growth and poorer countries grapple with the challenge of supporting their growing populations.
The study, part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, involved more than 8,000 scientists from over 150 countries.
Researchers analyzed surveys, census data, and other information collected between 1950 and 2021 to assess fertility rates and population trends across the 204 countries.
