Child Death Annual Report released

- The Queensland Family and Child Commission has released its 2024–25 annual report featuring insights from Queensland’s Child Death Register.

- Over the period, 427 Queensland children lost their lives, with around one in six attributed to external causes – these are considered preventable and include deaths from drowning, transport incidents, suicide, and fatal assault and neglect. 

- The report provides critical insights into the causes of child mortality and highlights key trends and prevention initiatives aimed at better safeguarding Queensland’s children.

New data released by the Queensland Family and Child Commission reveals 427 children and young people aged 0 to 17 years died in 2024–25, compared with 422 in the previous year. 

Of all deaths in 2024–25, 321 were attributed to natural causes. Many of these deaths were due to perinatal conditions and congenital abnormalities, but cancers and tumours were the leading natural cause of death and among the top three causes of all deaths for children aged 1 to 17 years.

Data shows there has been an overall decrease in child mortality over the last two decades, down two per cent, driven largely by overall decreases in natural cause deaths.

Sixty-eight children died from external causes, which are considered preventable causes of death. These numbers continue to slowly decrease, and this year’s figure is the lowest in 14 years. This year these deaths included 23 from transport incidents, 10 from drowning, 7 from other non-intentional injuries, 24 from suicide, and 4 from fatal assault and neglect.

Transport-related child deaths have decreased by 3.4 per cent on average; however, higher numbers over the last three years have seen rates start to increase, representing an area of focus for road safety.

Sadly, suicide remains the leading overall cause of death for young people in the age groups of 10–14 years and 15–17 years. Of the 24 deaths from suicide this year, 8 were aged 10 to 14, and 11 had a history of childhood abuse or neglect. Seven had experienced household dysfunction, most commonly exposure to domestic and family violence. 

Twenty-nine infant deaths were classified as sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) in 2024–25. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and undetermined causes, as a group, are the leading cause of death in infants aged 1 to 11 months; however, this year’s data represents the second-lowest number in the past 6 years, which is a promising trend. SUDI remains a key focus of our child death prevention efforts. 

Fifty-seven children who died in 2024–25 were known to child protection in the 12 months prior to their deaths, an increase from 53 deaths in 2023–24. Evidence continues to show that mortality rates are higher among children who are known to the child protection system, particularly deaths resulting from fatal assault and neglect, drowning and other non-intentional injuries. 

The data captured in Queensland’s Child Death Register is made available at no cost for legitimate researchers and professionals in public education, policy development and child death prevention program design.

The Deaths of children and young people Queensland Annual Report 2024–25 is available to view at https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/sector/child-death/child-death-reports-and-data

Quotes attributed to Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford

Every child deserves the chance to grow up safely, and through our research, reporting, and advocacy, we will continue to learn from loss, strengthen prevention, and strive for safer futures for Queensland’s children.

For media information contact:
Vanessa Kendall | Queensland Family and Child Commission
Phone: 0423 565 108
Email: media@qfcc.qld.gov.au