In the EU in 2019, around 14 100 children died before reaching one year of age. This is equivalent to an infant mortality rate of 3.4 deaths per 1 000 live births.
Over the last decade, the infant mortality rate in the EU fell from 4.2 deaths per 1 000 live births in 2009 to 3.4 deaths per 1 000 live births in 2019. Compared with 1961, the infant mortality rate reduced dramatically: from 38.2 deaths per 1 000 live births.
Source dataset: demo_minfind
In 2019, the highest infant mortality rates in the EU were registered in Malta (6.7 deaths per 1 000 live births), Romania (5.8) and Bulgaria (5.6). In contrast, the lowest rate was recorded in Estonia (1.6 deaths), followed by Slovenia, Finland and Sweden (all 2.1 deaths per 1 000 live births).
Source dataset: demo_minfind
Compared with 1961, the infant mortality decreased in all EU Member States* with the largest decreases recorded in Portugal (from 88.8 deaths per 1 000 live births in 1961 to 2.8 in 2019), Romania (from 71.4 in 1961 to 5.8 in 2019) and Croatia (from 62.9 in 1961 to 4.0 in 2019).
* France: 1961 data not available
For more information:
- Statistics Explained article on mortality and life expectancy statistics
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