An estimated 30 children for every 1,000 live births in the Philippines will likely die before reaching age five.

The said estimated under-five mortality rate (U-5MR) or the probability of a child born on a specified year and dying before reaching the age of five years based on the 2011 Family Health Survey (FHS) is lower than the estimated deaths per 1,000 live births based on the 2006 Family Planning Survey (FPS). Under-five mortality levels in the Philippines continue to improve, falling from 64 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1993 to 40 deaths in 2003. Estimates for U-5MR make reference to the 5-year period prior to the year the survey was conducted. The latest estimate refers to the period 2007-2011.

Similarly, estimate of infant mortality rate (IMR) or the probability of a child born on a specified year and dying before reaching the age of one year declined to 22 deaths per 1,000 live births based on the 2011 FHS from 24 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2006 FPS. From 38 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1993, the IMR also dropped to 29 deaths in 2003.

Among the regions in the country, the National Capital Region exhibited the lowest IMR of only14 deaths per 1,000 live births and U-5MR of 20 deaths per 1,000 live births. On the other hand, Eastern Visayas recorded the highest IMR of 40 deaths per 1,000 live births and U-5MR of 53 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Current levels of both infant and under-five mortality in the Philippines reflect progress in government efforts at improving the health conditions of children. If the trend will continue, the country will be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) or reducing the national U-5MR by two-thirds or only 19 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The 2011 FHS is a nationwide survey of 53,162 sample households. A total of 52,769 women of reproductive age (15-49 years old) were interviewed to collect data on fertility, family planning practice, maternal and child health and, maternal and child mortality. The survey was conducted by the National Statistics Office and funded mainly by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).