The maternal and infant mortality rates in Beijing have decreased drastically over 40 years, according to recent figures released by the Municipal Health Commission. The new data also reports fewer newborns with serious birth defects and rising life expectancy in women.

Statistics show that maternal and infant mortality in the city dropped by 68% and 88%, respectively, compared to the figures in 1979. In 2018, mortality rates in infant and children under five registered 2.01 per thousand and 2.69 per thousand, respectively, matching the rates of developed countries.

The occurrence of neural tube defect among newborns in Beijing also dropped to 0.67 per thousand in 2018 from 1.01 per thousand in 2011. The occurrence of Beijing's newborns with serious birth defects has decreased for eight consecutive years, and over 70% of them were avoided through birth control measures.

In 2018, the average life expectancy for women in the city reached 84.63, an increase of 12.37 years compared to the figure in 1979.

The improvements are attributable to an ever increasing sophistication of the city's multi-layered healthcare system, maternal risk screening and treatment system, as well as strong prevention and control measures for birth risks and in child health development.

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