According to an unverified social media post, the Office for National Statistics claims 2,318 infant deaths and 918 child deaths across England and Wales in 2024, though official ONS 2024 data remains unpublished.
The numbers arrived on a Tuesday morning via social media. A simple tweet reportedly from the Office for National Statistics laid out the stark reality: 2,318 babies under one year old allegedly died in England and Wales during 2024, alongside 918 children aged between one and fifteen years, according to the unverified post.
But these figures tell a more complex story than first appears, particularly given that official ONS 2024 data remains unpublished.
The Data Behind the Headlines
The unverified social media post claims an infant mortality rate of 3.9 deaths per 1,000 live births for 2024 – identical to the verified 2023 rate. The child mortality rate of 8.6 deaths per 100,000 population reportedly represents a slight improvement from 2023’s figure of 9 per 100,000.
However, these 2024 statistics cannot be independently confirmed. The official ONS release for 2024 child mortality data isn’t scheduled until 28 April 2026, making the social media announcement unusual in its timing and raising questions about its authenticity.
For context, the verified 2023 figures showed 2,320 infant deaths and 961 child deaths across England and Wales. The similarity between the claimed 2024 figures and verified 2023 data suggests the rates may have plateaued after decades of decline since 1980.
Regional Patterns Persist
England’s mortality landscape reveals troubling geographical divides based on verified data. The West Midlands recorded the highest infant mortality rate in 2023 at 6.1 per 1,000 live births, as the South West achieved the lowest at 2.5 per 1,000.
Deprivation creates an even starker picture. Infants born in England’s most deprived neighbourhoods face mortality rates of 5.5 per 1,000 births – nearly three times higher than the 2.0 rate in the least deprived areas.
The National Child Mortality Database recorded 3,577 child deaths aged 0-17 years in England for the year ending March 2024, with infants representing 61% of all cases. Main causes remain congenital malformations and chromosomal abnormalities, while low birthweight under 2,500g continues as a primary risk factor.
Neonatal deaths – those occurring within the first 28 days – have actually increased from a low of 2.5 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 3.0 in 2023, bucking the longer-term downward trend.
Ongoing Challenges
Child Death Overview Panels monitor these cases through the NHS system, working to identify preventable factors. The data shows mothers under 20 and families from Black ethnic backgrounds face higher risks, highlighting the intersection between mortality rates and broader social inequalities.
Health professionals emphasise that many infant deaths stem from complex medical conditions, but preventable factors including preterm birth and inadequate antenatal care remain significant concerns.
Source: @ONS
Key Takeaways
- England and Wales reportedly recorded 2,318 infant deaths and 918 child deaths in 2024, according to an unverified social media post, though official ONS 2024 data remains unpublished
- Verified 2023 data shows infant mortality rates have stabilised at 3.9 per 1,000 live births after decades of improvement
- Deprivation creates a threefold difference in infant mortality rates between richest and poorest areas
What This Means for Kent Residents
Kent residents benefit from the county’s location in the South East, which typically records lower infant mortality rates than northern regions, though specific local figures for 2024 remain unavailable. Families across the county can access specialist maternity support through NHS Kent and Medway ICB services, including 24-hour advice via NHS 111 and dedicated midwifery teams. Parents concerned about pregnancy risks or child health should contact their GP or local midwifery services early, as prompt intervention remains one of the most effective ways to reduce preventable infant deaths in our communities.