The U.S. infant mortality rate reached a record low of 5.4 per 1,000 live births in 2025, according to federal data.
- The rate declined from 5.6 in 2024, marking continued improvement. - Despite the drop, the U.S.
still ranks behind other developed countries with rates below 3 per 1,000. - Racial disparities persist, with Black infants dying at more than twice the rate of white infants.
The progress reflects advances in medical care, but experts stress the need to address systemic inequities to close the gap with peer nations.