Countries with the Highest Neonatal Mortality (2024)
Source: World Bank·25 countries·Updated 2024
Neonatal death reflects maternal and newborn healthcare quality. {#1} has {#1_value} per 1,000 live births.
South Sudan leads with neonatal mortality (per 1,000) of 39.5.
Nigeria ranks #2 at 39.
Pakistan ranks #3 at 36.1.
Somalia, Fed. Rep. ranks #4 at 34.2.
Zimbabwe ranks #5 at 33.7.
Top 25 Countries by Neonatal Mortality (per 1,000)
| # | Country | Neonatal Mortality (per 1,000) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Sudan | 39.5 | 2024 |
| 2 |  Nigeria | 39 | 2024 |
| 3 |  Pakistan | 36.1 | 2024 |
| 4 |  Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 34.2 | 2024 |
| 5 |  Zimbabwe | 33.7 | 2024 |
| 6 |  Afghanistan | 33.1 | 2024 |
| 7 |  Liberia | 32.9 | 2024 |
| 8 |  Niger | 32.8 | 2024 |
| 9 |  Guinea-Bissau | 32 | 2024 |
| 10 |  Dominica | 31.1 | 2024 |
| 11 |  Chad | 30.4 | 2024 |
| 12 |  Central African Republic | 29.9 | 2024 |
| 13 |  Guinea | 29.8 | 2024 |
| 14 |  Lesotho | 28.5 | 2024 |
| 15 |  Sierra Leone | 28.3 | 2024 |
| 16 |  Mali | 28 | 2024 |
| 17 |  Cote d'Ivoire | 27.4 | 2024 |
| 18 |  Benin | 27.2 | 2024 |
| 19 |  Djibouti | 27.1 | 2024 |
| 20 |  Equatorial Guinea | 26.3 | 2024 |
| 21 |  Ethiopia | 25.2 | 2024 |
| 22 |  Mozambique | 25.1 | 2024 |
| 23 |  Eswatini | 25 | 2024 |
| 24 |  Cameroon | 24.8 | 2024 |
| 25 |  Burkina Faso | 23.8 | 2024 |
Data from 196 countries is available. View full rankings →
FAQ
What is the highest neonatal mortality (per 1,000) in 2024?
South Sudan has the highest neonatal mortality (per 1,000) at 39.5 in 2024.
How many countries are included in this ranking?
This article features the top 25 countries out of 196 with available data. Full rankings available on the indicator page.
Where does this data come from?
Data is sourced from the World Bank. It is updated regularly as new releases become available.