NEW YORK — The U.S. infant mortality rate decreased to slightly fewer than 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025. Approximately 19,350 infant deaths were recorded that year, according to provisional data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May 2026.

This marks a decline from 2024, when the rate was approximately 5.5 deaths per 1,000 live births and U.S. infant deaths totaled around 20,050. In both 2022 and 2023, the rate stood at approximately 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, with 20,160 infant deaths reported in 2023.

Dr. Michael Warren, chief medical and health officer for the March of Dimes, commented, "This is an encouraging data point, and we hope that this trend will continue." The CDC also published a detailed analysis of 2024 infant mortality data in June 2026. In 2024, infant death rates declined for newborns under 28 days old and for older infants.

Mississippi recorded the highest state infant mortality rate in 2024, at 9.65 deaths per 1,000 live births. In contrast, New Hampshire had the lowest rate, at just under 3 deaths per 1,000 live births during the same period. The infant mortality rate also declined for infants born at full term, defined as 39 to 40 weeks of gestation, in 2024.

In 2024, the infant mortality rate for infants born to Black women was more than double the rate observed for infants born to Hispanic, white, and Asian American women. "These differences are reflective of a variety of reasons related to access to care, community factors, and policies that improve health and outcomes," Warren said.

No independent assessment was available for this report.