Kazakhstan Achieves Historic Low in Newborn Mortality, Nears US Levels

A joint report by the World Bank Group, WHO, UNICEF, the UN, and IGME published in March 2026 reveals that Kazakhstan's neonatal mortality rate (the first 28 days of life) has reached 3.9 per 1,000 live births.

This figure represents the lowest rate in Central Asia for 2025. In comparison with developed nations, Kazakhstan has nearly caught up to the United States, where the indicator stands at 3.7.

The country has made significant strides in developing neonatal care and nursing newborns, including those with extremely low birth weight. Today, infants weighing from 500 grams are successfully cared for both at national centers and regional perinatal facilities.

The introduction of modern perinatal technologies and high professionalism among specialists have increased the survival rate of such children fourfold—one of the best indicators in Central Asia.

Annually, approximately 20–22 thousand premature babies are born in Kazakhstan—about 5% of all births. The systematic development of obstetric and neonatal services has led to a steady decline in mortality: infant mortality has decreased by a factor of 1.5 over ten years; neonatal mortality has halved; and today's rate has reached a historic low of 3.1 per 1,000 live births.

Caring for premature infants is complex, round-the-clock work. Due to organ immaturity, these newborns require constant monitoring, with medical teams performing over twenty vital procedures daily. These results are credited to the coordinated efforts of highly qualified neonatologists and nurses with specialized training.

Special attention is paid to monitoring children's health from their first days. Four types of screening have been implemented nationwide: neonatal screening; audiological screening; ophthalmological screening; and developmental screening.

Follow-up programs (catamnesis) are being developed to monitor children after discharge and promptly identify potential disorders.

Kazakhstan is consistently implementing advanced perinatal technologies and safe motherhood principles recommended by international organizations. Newborn resuscitation and intensive care services are being strengthened, while specialists undergo regular training both domestically and abroad.

A standard for organizing neonatal care has been approved for further development, focused on the main priority—preserving every child's life.

Key challenges remain reducing the number of premature births, strengthening reproductive health, and preventing infections.