INFANT MORTALITY The six year average infant mortality rate for the years 1972-77 was 30.1 deaths per 1 ,000 live births. In other words, for every 1,000 births, about.30 will die within the first year of life. This infant death rate is moderate by comparison to other countries with similar characteristics and resources. Table V-4 presents a comparison of Pacific Islands countries’ infant mortality rates. Infant death rates in the Pacific Islands range from a igh of 159 for Papua- New Guinea to a low of 14 for Hawaii. The 28.9 infant mortality rate is much higher than the 1975 U.S. rate of 16.1. However, the evidence of rapid decrease provides encouragement for achieving target levels.