Afghanistan stands out with the highest
infant mortality rate at
103.06 child deaths in the first year of
life per
1000 live births, significantly higher than any other country listed.
Top five countries exceed global averages
The top five countries, including Somalia (
85.06),
Central African Republic (
81.74),
Equatorial Guinea (
77.85), and Sierra Leone (
72.30), all have infant mortality rates vastly exceeding the global average, highlighting severe healthcare challenges.
Sub-Saharan Africa dominates the list
Sub-Saharan
African countries dominate the rankings, with
14 out of the 20 countries listed, indicating a regional crisis in infant
health care.
Niger leads in the Sahel region
Niger has the highest
infant mortality rate in the Sahel region with
65.53 deaths per
1000 live births, underscoring the region's critical health challenges.
Difference between highest and lowest rates
The difference between the highest (Afghanistan at
103.06) and the lowest (Burkina Faso at
48.17) rates on the list is
54.89, showing significant disparities in infant mortality within the data set.
Pakistan stands out in South Asia
Pakistan is notable as the only South Asian country featured, with an infant
mortality rate of
52.73, distinguishing it from its regional neighbors.
Equatorial Guinea's unique position
Equatorial Guinea is unique as the only Middle-income country in the top five, with an infant mortality rate of
77.85, pointing towards specific national challenges despite its economic status.
Countries with rates over 60
Eight countries have infant mortality rates exceeding
60 deaths per
1000 live births, highlighting a high-risk group within the dataset that includes Afghanistan, Somalia, and Central African Republic.
Nigeria and Pakistan's substantial populations
Nigeria and Pakistan, both with significant infant mortality rates of
55.17 and
52.73 respectively, are also countries with large populations, indicating a vast number of affected families and the need for large-scale health interventions.
Majority of countries in West and Central Africa
The majority of the countries listed are in West and Central Africa, emphasizing the geographical concentration of infant mortality issues in these regions, with rates ranging from
48.17 to
85.06.