Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) Calculator
Calculation Result
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Deaths per 1,000 Live Births
Please ensure the number of births is greater than zero and all fields are filled.
What is the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR)?
The Under-5 Mortality Rate is a critical global health indicator that measures the probability of a child dying between birth and exactly five years of age. Unlike a simple ratio, it is expressed as the number of deaths per 1,000 live births during a specific period (usually a calendar year).
The U5MR Formula
U5MR = (Total Deaths of Children < 5 Years / Total Number of Live Births) × 1,000
Calculation Example
Suppose a specific region recorded the following statistics in one year:
- Live Births: 10,000
- Deaths of Children Under 5: 150
To find the rate: (150 ÷ 10,000) × 1,000 = 15.0. This means there were 15 deaths for every 1,000 children born alive in that region.
Why This Metric Matters
Public health officials and organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) use the U5MR to:
- Evaluate the quality of pediatric healthcare and nutrition.
- Monitor the effectiveness of immunization programs.
- Assess the impact of environmental factors like clean water and sanitation.
- Track progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).