The lights and infant survival
Access to electricity is one of the clearest dividing lines in infant mortality around the world.
Countries with higher Access to Electricity tend to have lower Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births.
Very strong link: a correlation of −0.79 across 195 countries.CorrelationHow closely two metrics move together, from −1 to +1. Near +1: both rise together. Near −1: one rises as the other falls. Near 0: no clear link.More in the glossary →
Electricity is a marker of much else: clean water, clinics that can store vaccines, lighting for night-time care. Where access is lowest, infant mortality is highest.
Each dot in the chart is one of 195 countries. The correlation between Access to Electricity and Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births is -0.79, a very strong relationship: about 63% of the differences in Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births from place to place line up with Access to Electricity. Ranked instead of measured, the link is -0.80.
The highest Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births is in South Sudan (71.9), Nigeria (69.8) and Niger (65.6); the lowest is in San Marino (1.2), Estonia (1.5) and Slovenia (1.8). The median place has 12.5 for Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births and 100.0% for Access to Electricity.
The biggest exceptions sit furthest from the trend line. Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan have a much higher Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births than their Access to Electricity would predict, while Burundi, Malawi and North Korea have a much lower one.
This is a comparison across places, not proof that one causes the other: both can follow from something else, such as income, age or how urban a place is. Access to Electricity is from 2024 and Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births from 2024.
Highest Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births
| Place | Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births | Access to Electricity |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | 71.9 | 5.4% |
| Nigeria | 69.8 | 62.5% |
| Niger | 65.6 | 21.3% |
| Somalia | 65.4 | 54.4% |
| Liberia | 63.2 | 34.9% |
Lowest Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births
| Place | Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births | Access to Electricity |
|---|---|---|
| San Marino | 1.2 | 100.0% |
| Estonia | 1.5 | 100.0% |
| Slovenia | 1.8 | 100.0% |
| Belarus | 1.8 | 100.0% |
| Japan | 1.8 | 100.0% |
Explore it yourself
- Open this comparison in the interactive chart to highlight places, change the metrics or colour by party.
- Full ranking and sources for Access to Electricity
- Full ranking and sources for Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births