Bhutan

MDG 4: Reduce Child Mortality

Since 1990, Bhutan has witnessed steep drops in under-five mortality rates (U-5MR). Between 1990 and 2010, mortality of under-five children has been reduced by about half. The U-5MR was estimated at 61.5 per 1,000 live births in 2007. At these sustained and rapid rates of reduction with three quarters of the target achieved, Bhutan remains well on track to achieve the MDG target to reduce under-five mortality rates by two thirds. Further, the Royal Government has planned to reduce U-5 MR to less than 30 per 1,000 live births in its new planning document.

Infant mortality rates (IMR) have also been declining at equally rapid rates since 1990. IMRs have been scaled down by about 55% from 90 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 40.1 per 1,000 live births in 2007.

While the child mortality has been halved between 1990 and 2007, the core challenge remains of securing the financial resources to enhance access and improve maternal, neonatal and child health services including intensify support programmes particularly for remote rural communities.