Child mortality Historical rates of child mortality are abysmal. Before 1900 almost half the people born died before they were 15. Almost a third of them died before they were one year old: This has gotten a lot better lately, with now “only” 4% of children dying before they are five years old. In developed countries it’s gotten so well that while I’m guessing that most people know someone who lost a child family member, they might not have known the child.
