|
ACHIEVEMENTS:
- In the scale of the globe, the number of child deaths declined to an estimated 8.8 million in 2008 from 12.5 million in 1990. That means 10 000 fewer children are dying a day, compared to 1990. In numbers of deaths per 1000 children of five or less years old, the drop has been from 90 deaths per 1000 in 1990 to 65 per 1000 in 2008 (UNICEF).
- During 1960-1990, child mortality in developing regions was halved to one child in 10 dying before age five (WHO)
- Praiseworthy is China, which is for the first time on track to meet the child survival goal. Also several countries in East Africa were successful in reducing the number of deaths among children (UNICEF)
|
|
CHALLENGES:
- The reduction is progressing too slow. If worldwide trends continue through 2015, the reduction in mortality among children will be about one quarter far from the target of a two thirds reduction. (WHO)
- The most urgent actions need to be taken in sub-Saharan Africa, where the proportion of child deaths continues to rise. South Asia is in similarly dramatic situation. Both regions account for 50% and 45 % of all global child deaths, respectively
- The reduction of child mortality is very uneven. For instance in China child mortality rates in developed coastal areas approach those of industrialized countries, while in most Western provinces they are 3-5 times higher. (UNICEF)
- Out of 68 priority countries only 16 is on track to meet the goal. 26 made insufficient progress, another 26 made no progress at all. In 12 African countries, there has been an increase in child deaths.
|
