Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births vs. Life Expectancy at Birth by Country
Countries with higher Life Expectancy at Birth tend to have lower Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births.
Very strong link: a correlation of −0.89 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 →
Each dot in the chart is one of 195 countries. The correlation between Life Expectancy at Birth and Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births is -0.89, a very strong relationship: about 79% of the differences in Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births from place to place line up with Life Expectancy at Birth. Ranked instead of measured, the link is -0.91.
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 73.8 for Life Expectancy at Birth.
The biggest exceptions sit furthest from the trend line. Zimbabwe, Niger and Liberia have a much higher Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births than their Life Expectancy at Birth would predict, while Nauru, Sao Tome and Principe and Libya 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. Life Expectancy at Birth 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 | Life Expectancy at Birth |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | 71.9 | 57.7 |
| Nigeria | 69.8 | 54.6 |
| Niger | 65.6 | 61.4 |
| Somalia | 65.4 | 59.0 |
| Liberia | 63.2 | 62.3 |
Lowest Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births
| Place | Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births | Life Expectancy at Birth |
|---|---|---|
| San Marino | 1.2 | 85.8 |
| Estonia | 1.5 | 79.3 |
| Slovenia | 1.8 | 82.3 |
| Belarus | 1.8 | 74.4 |
| Japan | 1.8 | 84.0 |
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 Life Expectancy at Birth
- Full ranking and sources for Infant Deaths per 1,000 Births