INFANT DEATHS


In 2017, there were 1,019 infant deaths (deaths of children aged less than one year) registered in Australia (562 boys and 457 girls). This was a 5.1% increase compared with the number registered in 2016 (970). However, over the past 10 years, the number of infant deaths has decreased overall (with some fluctuations) from 1,203 in 2007. For detailed data on infant mortality, see ABS.Stat Datasets - Infant deaths and Infant mortality rates, Year of registration, Age at death, Sex, States, Territories and Australia.

INFANT MORTALITY RATES

Australia has one of the lowest infant mortality rates (IMR) in the world. In 2017, the IMR was 3.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with 3.1 last year. Ten years ago, the IMR was 4.1 deaths per 1,000 live births (see graph 1.5).