U.S. Infant Mortality Hits Record Low in 2025

Infant mortality in the United States reached a historic low in 2025. Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a decline to slightly fewer than 5.4 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. This marks a slight reduction from the rates of 5.5 in 2024 and 5.6 in the preceding years. Researchers highlight the significance of these numbers, translating to hundreds fewer infant deaths annually.

Determining the precise causes behind this decline is challenging. Nonetheless, Dr. Michael Warren, chief medical and health officer for March of Dimes, expressed optimism about the trends. Infant mortality measures how many infants die before their first birthday. Variations in annual birth rates prompt researchers to calculate mortality rates for accurate comparisons.

Overall infant deaths in the U.S. dropped to roughly 19,350 last year, based on provisional CDC data. Though this number may rise with further analysis, it still falls below the 2024 figure of about 20,050 and 2023’s number of approximately 20,160.

The U.S. rate has gradually decreased over decades, falling from 7.5 per 1,000 three decades ago due to medical improvements and public health initiatives. Nevertheless, it remains higher than in other wealthy countries, due in part to poverty and inadequate prenatal care. A study published last year highlighted that the U.S. infant mortality rate in 2022 was nearly double that of other high-income democratic nations, such as Italy, Japan, Spain, and Sweden.

A significant rise in the U.S. infant mortality rate occurred in 2022, attributed to higher rates of RSV and flu infections. In response, U.S. health officials introduced two preventative measures: a laboratory-manufactured antibody shot for infants to bolster their immune response to viruses, and an RSV vaccine recommended for pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks gestation. These efforts likely contributed to improvements seen in 2024.

Additionally, a decline in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) might relate to increased education on safe infant sleeping practices, according to Warren. The CDC shared 2025’s provisional data in May, followed by a detailed analysis of 2024’s infant mortality data.

Highlights from the report included:

• Death rates fell for infants younger than 28 days and older infants, with trends continuing in 2025.
• Infant mortality remained racially disparate in 2024, with rates more than double for infants born to Black mothers compared to Hispanic, white, and Asian American mothers.
• A decline in mortality rates occurred for infants born at full term (39 to 40 weeks gestation), whereas rates for other gestational age groups remained stable.
• Mississippi recorded the highest infant mortality rate at 9.65 deaths per 1,000 births, contrasting starkly with New Hampshire’s lowest rate of just under 3 per 1,000.

Warren attributed these differences to factors including access to healthcare and community support, as well as policies promoting health and positive outcomes.

For this report, the Associated Press Health and Science Department received support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. However, the AP maintains sole responsibility for the content.