Kazakhstan records Central Asia's lowest neonatal mortality rate in 2025

Kazakhstan achieved the lowest neonatal mortality rate in Central Asia in 2025, with 3.04 deaths per 1,000 live births within the initial 28 days of life. This data comes from a collaborative report by the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the United Nations, and the Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME).

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health stated that the nation's neonatal mortality rate is comparable to that of the United States.

The ministry also highlighted substantial advancements in the survival rates of extremely low birth weight infants. Specifically, the survival rate for newborns weighing as little as 500 grams has quadrupled in recent years, according to the ministry.

Officials credited these improvements to the implementation of cutting-edge perinatal technologies and the dedicated efforts of neonatologists and intensive care specialists.

The ministry further noted that neonatal intensive care nurses conduct up to 20 medical procedures during a typical shift, and continuous monitoring systems are employed to track the respiratory status of newborns needing intensive care.

Last year, approximately 17,000 premature babies were born in Kazakhstan, all of whom received specialized high-technology medical care, as per the ministry.

The Ministry of Health attributed these positive changes to the ongoing enhancement of maternity care services, the adoption of modern medical technologies, and continuous initiatives to bolster neonatal healthcare nationwide.

Data from UNICEF and the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) shows Kazakhstan's neonatal mortality rate in Central Asia at 3.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, the lowest in the region. Uzbekistan followed with 8 deaths per 1,000 live births, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan each registered 11. Turkmenistan reported the highest neonatal mortality rate in the region, at 22 deaths per 1,000 live births.