Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) (UNESCO Institute) in Australia
Australia: Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) (UNESCO Institute) was 3.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
3.1 per 1,000 live births
Change on year
down 3.1%
World rank
167th
of 195 countries
All-time high
17.9 per 1,000 live births
in 1970
All-time low
3.1 per 1,000 live births
in 2023
Years of data
54
1970–2023
Mortality rate, infant in Australia, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in per 1,000 live births.
Analysis
The most recent figure for mortality rate, infant in Australia is 3.1 per 1,000 live births, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 54 years on record.
That represents a change of down 3.1% on the previous year and down 11.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mortality rate, infant in Australia peaked at 17.9 per 1,000 live births in 1970 and was at its lowest, 3.1 per 1,000 live births, in 2023.
Australia ranks 167th of 195 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) (UNESCO Institute) in Australia, year by year
| Year | per 1,000 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 17.9 per 1,000 live births | — |
| 1971 | 17.5 per 1,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 1972 | 16.9 per 1,000 live births | -3.4% |
| 1973 | 16.2 per 1,000 live births | -4.1% |
| 1974 | 15.3 per 1,000 live births | -5.6% |
| 1975 | 14.4 per 1,000 live births | -5.9% |
| 1976 | 13.5 per 1,000 live births | -6.3% |
| 1977 | 12.7 per 1,000 live births | -5.9% |
| 1978 | 11.9 per 1,000 live births | -6.3% |
| 1979 | 11.3 per 1,000 live births | -5.0% |
| 1980 | 10.8 per 1,000 live births | -4.4% |
| 1981 | 10.4 per 1,000 live births | -3.7% |
| 1982 | 10.1 per 1,000 live births | -2.9% |
| 1983 | 9.8 per 1,000 live births | -3.0% |
| 1984 | 9.6 per 1,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 1985 | 9.3 per 1,000 live births | -3.1% |
| 1986 | 9.1 per 1,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 1987 | 8.8 per 1,000 live births | -3.3% |
| 1988 | 8.4 per 1,000 live births | -4.5% |
| 1989 | 8 per 1,000 live births | -4.8% |
| 1990 | 7.6 per 1,000 live births | -5.0% |
| 1991 | 7.1 per 1,000 live births | -6.6% |
| 1992 | 6.7 per 1,000 live births | -5.6% |
| 1993 | 6.3 per 1,000 live births | -6.0% |
| 1994 | 6 per 1,000 live births | -4.8% |
| 1995 | 5.8 per 1,000 live births | -3.3% |
| 1996 | 5.6 per 1,000 live births | -3.4% |
| 1997 | 5.4 per 1,000 live births | -3.6% |
| 1998 | 5.3 per 1,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 1999 | 5.2 per 1,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 2000 | 5.1 per 1,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 2001 | 5 per 1,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 2002 | 4.9 per 1,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 2003 | 4.9 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 4.8 per 1,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 4.8 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 4.7 per 1,000 live births | -2.1% |
| 2007 | 4.5 per 1,000 live births | -4.3% |
| 2008 | 4.4 per 1,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 2009 | 4.2 per 1,000 live births | -4.5% |
| 2010 | 4 per 1,000 live births | -4.8% |
| 2011 | 3.8 per 1,000 live births | -5.0% |
| 2012 | 3.6 per 1,000 live births | -5.3% |
| 2013 | 3.5 per 1,000 live births | -2.8% |
| 2014 | 3.4 per 1,000 live births | -2.9% |
| 2015 | 3.3 per 1,000 live births | -2.9% |
| 2016 | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | -3.0% |
| 2017 | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 3.1 per 1,000 live births | -3.1% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 3.1 per 1,000 live births is below the median for high income countries, which is 3.7 per 1,000 live births, 84% of the median. (65 countries reporting)
- Australia's 3.1 per 1,000 live births is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 14.35 per 1,000 live births, 22% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 14.76 per 1,000 live births | 11.3 per 1,000 live births | 17.9 per 1,000 live births | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.43 per 1,000 live births | 8 per 1,000 live births | 10.8 per 1,000 live births | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.1 per 1,000 live births | 5.2 per 1,000 live births | 7.6 per 1,000 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.73 per 1,000 live births | 4.2 per 1,000 live births | 5.1 per 1,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.44 per 1,000 live births | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | 4 per 1,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.18 per 1,000 live births | 3.1 per 1,000 live births | 3.2 per 1,000 live births | 4 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More population data for Australia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.5755 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2553 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 32,193 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8589 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.2773 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.503 (2100)
- Population density 5.61 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 2.09 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mortality rate, infant in Australia?
- Mortality rate, infant in Australia was 3.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest mortality rate, infant recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 17.9 per 1,000 live births in 1970.
- What is the lowest mortality rate, infant recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.1 per 1,000 live births in 2023.
- How does Australia rank for mortality rate, infant?
- Australia ranks 167th out of 195 countries with data for 2023.
- Is mortality rate, infant rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release