In 1981, Mozambique had the highest infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births in Africa (179.00), followed by South Sudan (169.50), and then Sierra Leone (165.60). Seychelles had the lowest infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births (23.10) in Africa in 1981.
The top 3 african countries with high female infant mortality rate in 1981 were: Mozambique (169.60), South Sudan (159.50), and Sierra Leone (153.90). Similarly, the top 3 african countries with high male infant mortality rate in 1981 were: Mozambique (188.00), South Sudan (179.00), and Sierra Leone (176.50).
The World Bank defines infant mortality rate as "the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year".
The charts and table below show the total, male, and female infant mortality rate of African countries in 1981.
See also: Neonatal Mortality Rate for African Countries in 1981.
| Country | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 94.80 | 98.20 | 91.20 |
| Angola | 139.50 | 149.10 | 129.40 |
| Benin | 123.50 | 133.40 | 113.20 |
| Botswana | 52.40 | 57.90 | 46.60 |
| Burkina Faso | 112.30 | 120.40 | 103.80 |
| Burundi | 126.60 | 136.80 | 115.70 |
| Cape Verde | 64.40 | 70.40 | 58.10 |
| Cameroon | 105.00 | 114.10 | 95.50 |
| Republic of Congo | 66.90 | 73.10 | 60.30 |
| Ivory Coast | 112.70 | 122.40 | 102.50 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 130.50 | 137.70 | 122.80 |
| Djibouti | 113.90 | 121.80 | 105.90 |
| Central African Republic | 119.50 | 128.40 | 110.20 |
| Chad | 122.80 | 130.70 | 114.50 |
| Egypt | 108.90 | 111.60 | 106.00 |
| Eritrea | 113.80 | 128.20 | 98.80 |
| Eswatini | 77.30 | 84.90 | 69.30 |
| Ethiopia | 139.90 | 153.60 | 125.70 |
| Gabon | 73.20 | 80.90 | 65.00 |
| Gambia | 101.70 | 111.00 | 92.00 |
| Ghana | 100.60 | 108.20 | 92.60 |
| Guinea | 163.80 | 174.00 | 153.00 |
| Kenya | 68.50 | 73.30 | 63.50 |
| Lesotho | 91.30 | 97.70 | 84.60 |
| Liberia | 160.70 | 174.30 | 146.40 |
| Libya | 54.70 | 59.50 | 49.60 |
| Madagascar | 105.20 | 112.10 | 97.90 |
| Malawi | 148.40 | 156.80 | 139.60 |
| Mali | 147.00 | 157.20 | 136.30 |
| Mauritania | 90.90 | 99.70 | 81.70 |
| Mauritius | 31.30 | 34.90 | 27.50 |
| Morocco | 90.90 | 96.60 | 84.90 |
| Mozambique | 179.00 | 188.00 | 169.60 |
| Zambia | 96.00 | 102.30 | 89.30 |
| Zimbabwe | 68.00 | 75.90 | 59.70 |
| Tanzania | 107.20 | 113.10 | 101.10 |
| Uganda | 128.90 | 136.50 | 120.90 |
| Tunisia | 65.40 | 69.90 | 60.60 |
| Togo | 105.70 | 113.60 | 97.30 |
| Sudan | 90.00 | 97.40 | 82.20 |
| South Africa | 65.70 | 71.10 | 59.90 |
| South Sudan | 169.50 | 179.00 | 159.50 |
| Sierra Leone | 165.60 | 176.50 | 153.90 |
| Senegal | 92.50 | 99.30 | 85.50 |
| Rwanda | 119.80 | 127.90 | 111.40 |
| Niger | 130.60 | 138.50 | 122.40 |
| Nigeria | 124.30 | 133.40 | 114.70 |
| Namibia | 64.40 | 69.20 | 59.20 |
| Comoros | 115.40 | 121.60 | 108.90 |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 60.20 | 66.20 | 53.80 |
| Seychelles | 23.10 | 24.80 | 21.30 |
Infant Mortality Rate of African Countries
Use the links below to find the historical infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births for each African country.