Infant death rates, 1980–2011
*G8 (Group of Eight) refers to the forum of governmental leaders of eight large, industrialized nations: the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Russia.
Adapted from the World Bank. Available at: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN. Accessed June 29, 2012
In 1980, Canada tied for the second lowest (10/1,000) infant death rate compared to other G8 countries. In Canada, infant mortality decreased to 5 per 1,000 live births in 2011 from 10 per 1,000 live births in 1980.
Implications
Although Canada has decreased its infant mortality rate over the past few decades, other countries have done better. According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canada’s infant mortality rate is shockingly high for a country with this level of socio-demographic development.1
1Conference Board of Canada. “Infant Mortality.” Available at: http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/health/infant-mortality-rate.aspx – accessed on June 29, 2012.