The death of a child - it’s the thing parents can least bear to imagine. But in many countries, a child’s death is not only imaginable, it’s very likely.

Every year, 8.8 million children under the age of five die, nearly 40% within the first month of life. The majority of these deaths occur in developing countries in Africa and Asia.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 144 of every 1000 children born will die before their fifth birthday. In South Asia, 76 of every 1,000 children born will die. This compares with only six of every 1,000 children born in Australia. However, we know that Indigenous children in Australia are three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than non-Indigenous children.

In Afghanistan, the country with the worst rate of child mortality, one child in four dies before they reach their fifth birthday, many within the first month of life. At this rate, every mother in Afghanistan is likely to suffer the loss of a child.  Most of these deaths are preventable with simple interventions. We can save millions of lives for relatively little cost. This is a global injustice we can change.

Why are children dying?

Children die from a number of specific causes including pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, HIV/AIDS and neo-natal conditions that occur during or after pregnancy or childbirth. Malnutrition is a contributing factor to more than one-third of all child deaths annually.  Poverty, lack of access to clean water and sanitation and lack of basic healthcare services also contribute to high numbers of child deaths each year. 

In addition, more than 500,000 women die of pregnancy-related causes each year. The health and survival of mothers is critical to children’s chances of survival. A child whose mother dies in childbirth is much more likely to die than a child whose mother survives.

We know that by addressing the specific causes of child deaths as well as the contributing factors, we can ensure that more children reach their fifth birthday.

Children’s right to health

Children have the right to the best possible health including being able to access high quality healthcare services and nutrition as they develop.  Ensuring that children grow up healthy is one of Save the Children’s highest priorities. Children who have a healthy start in life are more likely to reach their full potential as adults.

What is Save the Children doing?

Save the Children works to improve child health and survival in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, as well as in Australia.

We are committed to local capacity building and partnerships, program learning and innovation, and community-based approaches that address the health needs of poor and disadvantaged populations.

In developing countries, we work in partnership with government and local organisations to strengthen local healthcare systems in order to provide children and families with the best possible healthcare. 

Our priority program areas include newborn and child survival, reproductive health (including family planning, safe motherhood, and adolescent health), HIV/AIDS, and school health and nutrition. We also provide emergency healthcare services for children and families who have been affected by conflict, political instability or natural disasters.

Want to help improve the level of child health and rate of survival? Join our EVERY ONE campaign today, by participating in our Knit One Save One project or by Making your Mark online.

Want to know more about Save the Children's position on health and related issues? Download the position papers below:

Breastfeeding

Family Planning

To see what stance we take on other issues that affect the lives of children and young people check out all our position papers.