Determinants of Infant Mortality Rate in Malaysia: Evidence from Dynamic Panel Data Study

Abstract

Understanding the factors associated with the infant mortality rate is essential as it may guide policymaking in efforts to alleviate the high incidence of infant mortality. The aim of this study is to explore the major determinants of the infant mortality rate with specific focus accorded to research and development (R&D) and governance quality. Our analysis utilizes unbalanced panel data from 122 countries from 2001 to 2013. Using the dynamic panel data generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, we find that income, health spending, female education, technological progress and governance quality have significant negative impact on infant mortality rates. It can thus be surmised that policies to reduce infant mortality rates should focus upon improving the level of income, female education, health spending and governance quality, besides encouraging R&D activities.