Levels and trends in child mortality. Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME). Report 2015.

Child mortality is a core indicator for child health and well-being. In 2000 world leaders agreed on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and called for reducing the under-five mortality rate by two thirds between 1990 and 2015 - known as the MDG 4 target. In recent years the Global Strategy for Womens and Children’s Health launched by United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon and the Every WomanEvery Child movement boosted global momentum in improving newborn and child survival as well as maternal health. In June 2012 world leaders renewed their commitment during the global launch of Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed aiming for a continued post-2015 focus to end preventable child deaths. With the end of the MDG era the international community is in the process of agreeing on a new framework - the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The proposed SDG target for child mortality represents a renewed commitment to the worlds children: By 2030 end preventable deathsof newborns and children under five years of age with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 deaths per 1000 live births and under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 deaths per 1000 live births.