U.S Infant Mortality Compared to the Developed World: 2000-2008
November 21, 2008 by
Infant mortality rate (IMR) is one of the most important indicators of the general health and well being of a country because it points to many factors such as the health of mothers, access to medical care, quality of medical care, public health practices and socioeconomic conditions. It
is also a key indicator of longevity in a nation. The higher the infant mortality rate the shorter the average life expectancy of the people in that country.
Infant mortality is defined as deaths per 1000 live births occurring from birth to the age of 1 year and includes all causes.
The U.S. infant mortality rate in 1900 was 100 deaths per 1000 live births or 10%. In 1960, the rate was 26.0 per 1000 or 2.6%. In 2000 the rate was 6.89 deaths per 1000 live births or 0.69%. This decrease is expected given the vast advances made in science, medicine and healthcare during the 20th century.
However, between 2000 and 2005 (inclusive) the U.S. infant mortality rate did not decrease. It remained about the same during that 6 year period where many other countries in the developed world saw steady declines in infant mortality.
The U.S. infant mortality rates (deaths per thousand live births) between 2000 and 2008 are:
The 2008 world IMR average is estimated to be 42.06 per 1000 or 4.21%.
Singapore has the lowest rate at an estimated 2.30 per 1000.
As of October 23, 2008, the U.S. has the 41st lowest infant mortality rate in the world according to the CIA World Factbook. That means 40 other countries have an IMR that is lower than the United States. Thirty other developed countries have infant mortality rates of 5.0/1000 or lower.
The U.S. goal is to reduce our IMR to 4.5/1000, but it is unlikely this goal will be reached by 2010.
Why is the United States' infant mortality rate decreasing so much more slowly in the 21st century than in past decades and in 40 other countries?
Not Everyone Counts the Same Way
Infant mortality is defined as deaths per 1000 live births occurring from birth to the age of 1 year and includes all causes.
The U.S. infant mortality rate in 1900 was 100 deaths per 1000 live births or 10%. In 1960, the rate was 26.0 per 1000 or 2.6%. In 2000 the rate was 6.89 deaths per 1000 live births or 0.69%. This decrease is expected given the vast advances made in science, medicine and healthcare during the 20th century.
However, between 2000 and 2005 (inclusive) the U.S. infant mortality rate did not decrease. It remained about the same during that 6 year period where many other countries in the developed world saw steady declines in infant mortality.
The U.S. infant mortality rates (deaths per thousand live births) between 2000 and 2008 are:
- 2000: 6.89
- 2001: 6.84
- 2002: 6.95
- 2003: 6.84
- 2004: 6.78
- 2005: 6.86
- 2006 is estimated to be 6.71
- 2007 is estimated to be 6.40
- 2008 is estimated to be 6.30
The 2008 world IMR average is estimated to be 42.06 per 1000 or 4.21%.
Singapore has the lowest rate at an estimated 2.30 per 1000.
As of October 23, 2008, the U.S. has the 41st lowest infant mortality rate in the world according to the CIA World Factbook. That means 40 other countries have an IMR that is lower than the United States. Thirty other developed countries have infant mortality rates of 5.0/1000 or lower.
The U.S. goal is to reduce our IMR to 4.5/1000, but it is unlikely this goal will be reached by 2010.
Why is the United States' infant mortality rate decreasing so much more slowly in the 21st century than in past decades and in 40 other countries?
Not Everyone Counts the Same Way
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