East Asia and the Pacific

A rapidly rising income level, which outpaced all the other regions, has contributed to a dramatic improvement in educational and health conditions for children: U5MR declined from 20 per cent in 1960 to 5 per cent in 1993.
Life expectancy has increased from 41 to 67 years over the last 50 years.
Mothers on average had 6 children in 1950; today the average is 2.
Since the early 1980s, the percentage of children immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases has increased from 20 to 90. China, the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam have achieved almost universal coverage. However, countries such as Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic report immunization rates of less than 40 per cent.
The net primary school enrolment ratio has increased from 50 to 86 per cent between 1960 and 1990. The gender gap has been virtually closed. Three decades ago, a girl had only a 44 per cent chance of enrolment; by 1990, her chances had nearly doubled to 84 per cent.
Progress against malnutrition has been modest. In 1990, one quarter of children suffered from stunting, compared to one third in 1975.