Infant mortality rates lowest ever
Figures released yesterday show that infant mortality rates were at their lowest ever recorded in 2012.
According to the Office for National Statistics, 2,912 children under one died in England and Wales in 2012 compared with 3,025 infant deaths in 2011 and 6,775 in 1982.
The ONS said the infant mortality rate was four deaths per 1,000 live births in 2012 – the lowest recorded in England and Wales.
That figure is down from 4.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 and 10.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1982.
The rate for Yorkshire and The Humber was the same as the national average for 2012.
Authorities broken down by local authority area are not yet available for 2012.
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