Global child survival rates rose from 50% to 96%: What historical data reveals
By
Max Roser
If you only eat one bagel today, this is the bagel.
Summary
The article examines historical child mortality rates, revealing that globally, the chance of a newborn surviving childhood has risen from approximately 50% to 96%. It explores how archaeologists and historians compile data on past child deaths, using Sweden as a key example due to its excellent historical demographic records. The piece reflects on the tragedy of child death in history and what these patterns can teach us about future health and survival improvements.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledA child dying is one of the most dreadful tragedies one can imagine.
The chances that a newborn survives childhood have increased from 50% to 96% globally.
Archeologists and historians have compiled data from many places and time periods across the world, which can help us understand our past.
Sweden is a country with particularly good historical demographic data
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