INFANT DEATHS


INFANT DEATHS

In 2013, there were 1,094 infant deaths (deaths of children less than one year of age) registered in Australia (589 males and 505 females). This was a 6.1% increase compared with the number registered in 2012 (1,031). Over the past 10 years the number of infant deaths has generally decreased, with some fluctuation, from 1,199 infant deaths in 2003 to 1,094 in 2013.


INFANT MORTALITY RATES

The infant mortality rate in 2013 was 3.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, an increase on the rate in 2012 (3.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births). Ten years ago in 2003, the infant mortality rate was 4.8 deaths per 1,000 live births (see graph 1.5).