Progress in reducing neonatal mortality in the Eastern Mediterranean Region has been slower than progress in reducing under-5 mortality and maternal mortality. Between 1990 and 2015, neonatal mortality was reduced by 37%, as compared to a 48% and 54% reduction in under-5 and maternal mortality, respectively.
Between 1990 and 2020, neonatal mortality was reduced by 46%, as compared to 58% reduction in under-5 mortality. Neonatal deaths constituted 56% of under-5 deaths in the Region in 2020. The leading causes of neonatal mortality are:
prematurity
intra-partum complications
neonatal sepsis
congenital anomalies.
The burden of neonatal deaths in the Region is mainly in 9 countries that contribute to more than 97% of the overall number of neonatal deaths.
Related links
Caring for the newborn at home initiative in Syria
Early essential newborn care capacity-building in Pakistan
Between 1990 and 2020
neonatal mortality decreased by 46% in the Region
21%
of under-5 deaths in the Region are due to preterm births
97%
of neonatal deaths take place in only 9 countries of the Region
