India Leads Global Child Health Gains: UN Report Reveals

The United Nations has showered accolades on India for spearheading a revolution in child health outcomes. According to the 2025 UN IGME report, the country has achieved a 70% reduction in newborn mortality and 79% in under-five deaths since 1990—a feat that has ripple effects across South Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced his elation on social media, spotlighting the report’s praise for India’s rapid advancements. This success story is rooted in a high-performing public health ecosystem, translating ambitious goals into tangible results.

Key stats are eye-opening: neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births dropped from 57 to 17 by 2024; under-fives from 127 to 27. South Asia’s overall rate tumbled from 92 in 2000 to 32, with India driving 76% reductions since 1990 through superior vaccination, institutional deliveries, and disease-specific interventions.

Focus on preventable killers—pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and birth defects—has been transformative. Expansions in universal immunization, NICU facilities, and childhood disease protocols have fueled declines: 60% fewer newborn deaths and 75%+ for infants in South Asia since 2000.

Despite hosting 25% of the world’s under-five deaths, the region’s acceleration is unmatched. India’s centralized-yet-decentralized approach exemplifies effective governance in health. As the report concludes, these strides prove that with the right tools and commitment, child mortality can be conquered, paving the way for healthier generations.