Gates Foundation Warns: Child Mortality Could Increase as Global Aid Declines

According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the reduction in international aid could result in around 200,000 more children under the age of five dying this year compared to 2024, Reuters reported.

The foundation predicts that this would mark the first increase in preventable child deaths this century. In 2024, the number was approximately 4.6 million, while this year it could reach 4.8 million. Since 2000, child deaths have roughly halved.

In its annual Goalkeepers report, Bill Gates said, “For decades, the world made steady progress in saving children’s lives. But now, as challenges grow, this progress is reversing.”

International aid cuts began with the United States and were later joined by major donors like the United Kingdom and Germany. Global development assistance for health this year has fallen by 27% compared to 2024.

The reduction in aid is a major factor in the rise of child mortality. Other contributing factors include countries’ growing debt and fragile healthcare systems. If aid continues to decline, an additional 12–16 million children could die by 2045.

The foundation urges governments and individuals to focus on proven measures such as vaccination, strengthening primary healthcare, and developing new innovative tools to improve child health.