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Why do some countries have a high infant mortality rate?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 12, 2026

The major causes of infant death in developed countries, which tends to occur in the neonatal period, are low birth weight, prematurity, birth complications, and congenital defects; developing countries; they are vaccine preventable infectious diseases, diarrhea and dehydration, and respiratory illnesses, all ...

What does it mean if a country has a high infant mortality rate?

The infant mortality rate is defined as the number of deaths of children under one year of age, expressed per 1 000 live births. Some of the international variation in infant mortality rates is due to variations among countries in registering practices for premature infants.

Why does the US have high infant mortality rate?

Research indicates that socioeconomic inequality in the United States is likely a primary contributor to its higher infant mortality rate. Maternal risk factors for infant mortality include maternal obesity (BMI>35) and use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy.

What are the three leading causes of infant mortality?

Causes of Infant Mortality

Preterm birth and low birth weight. Injuries (e.g., suffocation). Sudden infant death syndrome.

Why is infant mortality higher in the US than in Europe?

In short, worse conditions at birth and a higher post-neonatal mortality rate are both important contributors to the U.S.'s higher IMR. Finally, the authors explore how the U.S. IMR disadvantage varies by racial and education group.

31 related questions found

Why does Brazil have a high infant mortality rate?

The results from the decision model are confirmed by the findings of the mortality model: education, sanitation and poverty are the most important causes of poor child health in Brazil.

Why is China's infant mortality rate high?

IMR was high in southwestern, northwestern, and central-southern China, probably attributable to the lower levels of economic and educational development and inadequate health care. The remarkable drop of IMR between 1975 and 1987 demonstrated the improvement of economy, education, and health care.

What is Japan's infant mortality?

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Japan dropped to 1.96 per 1000 live births, which was the second lowest in the world (227 out of 228 countries; range: 1.85–106.3, average: 21.6 per 1000) [5].

What is the infant mortality rate in Pakistan?

Infant mortality rate in Pakistan 2019

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Pakistan was at about 55.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.

What is Cuba's infant mortality rate?

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Cuba was at about 3.8 deaths per 1,000 live births.

What is Russia's infant mortality rate?

The current infant mortality rate for Russia in 2022 is 4.997 deaths per 1000 live births, a 3.68% decline from 2021. The infant mortality rate for Russia in 2021 was 5.188 deaths per 1000 live births, a 3.53% decline from 2020.

What is Peru's infant mortality rate?

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Peru was at about 10.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.

What is the infant mortality rate in Mexico?

Infant mortality rate in Mexico 2019

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Mexico was at about 12.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.

What is the infant mortality rate in Brazil?

The statistic shows the infant mortality rate in Brazil from 2009 to 2019. In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Brazil was at about 12.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.

What is the infant mortality rate in Bolivia?

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Bolivia was at about 21.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Why is the infant mortality rate so high in Russia?

The health of Russia's infants and children is especially significant given the country's shrinking population and the mounting problems of infectious disease, rural poverty, illegal narcotics, and alcohol abuse – all contributing factors to poor birth outcomes.

What is the infant mortality rate in Afghanistan?

The statistic shows the infant mortality rate in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2019. In 2019, the infant mortality rate in Afghanistan was at about 46.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

What is the infant mortality in India?

Infant mortality rate in India 2019

In 2019, the infant mortality rate in India was at about 28.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, a significant decrease from previous years. The infant mortality rate is the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births.

Why is Japan's infant mortality low?

Japan's infant mortality rate in 1991 was four per 1,000, the lowest in the world. Contributing factors are the universal use of the Boshi Kenko Techo (maternal-child health handbook) and universal access to care. Most births occur to women aged 25-29 years and there are few unmarried mothers.

Where does US rank in infant mortality rate?

Infant Mortality

At 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, the United States ranks No. 33 out of 36 OECD countries (Figure 24).

Which country has the lowest infant mortality rate and what is that rate?

Infant Mortality

Iceland is ranked No. 1 and has the lowest rate with 0.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Why does Pakistan have a high infant mortality rate?

Insecurity and lack of access to decent health care facilities are hindering proper care for thousands of infants across the country. Pakistan allocates less than one percent of its GDP on health and experts say that's kept the high infant mortality rate from improving.

What is the infant mortality in China?

The statistic shows the infant mortality rate in China from 2009 to 2019. In 2019, the infant mortality rate in China was at about 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births.

What is MMR Pakistan?

The maternal mortality ratio in Pakistan is 186 deaths per 100,000 live births. The ratio is nearly 26% higher in rural areas as compared to urban areas [4]. In order to avoid complications, it is imperative to provide mothers with skilled care and safety during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.