Ghana's infant mortality rate is 31.9 per 1,000 live births. Which of the following is this statistic best described as?

Ghana's infant mortality rate is 31.9 per 1,000 live births. Which of the following is this statistic best described as?

• A. The number of infant deaths per 1000 live births
• B. The number of doctors per 1000 population
• C. The life expectancy at birth
• D. The gross domestic product per capita

Answer: (A)

Infant mortality rate is defined as the number of infants who die before reaching age one per 1,000 live births in a given year. The Ghana figure of 31.9 per 1,000 live births means that about 32 babies die for every 1,000 babies born, reflecting deaths in the birth cohort and the health conditions surrounding pregnancy, birth, and the first year of life. This is distinct from workforce size (doctors per 1,000 people), life expectancy at birth (average expected lifespan), or GDP per capita (economic measure).

Infant mortality rate is defined as the number of infants who die before reaching age one per 1,000 live births in a given year. The Ghana figure of 31.9 per 1,000 live births means that about 32 babies die for every 1,000 babies born, reflecting deaths in the birth cohort and the health conditions surrounding pregnancy, birth, and the first year of life. This is distinct from workforce size (doctors per 1,000 people), life expectancy at birth (average expected lifespan), or GDP per capita (economic measure).