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India's infant mortality rate hits historic low of 25; big states struggle | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

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India's infant mortality rate hits historic low of 25; big states struggle

2 min read

Kerala's Leadership in Health and Population Indicators

Kerala continues to set a benchmark in India for health and population metrics, as highlighted by the Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin 2023. The state excels in reducing infant mortality, controlling population growth, and achieving superior health outcomes compared to other regions.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

  • Kerala's IMR is just 5 per 1,000 live births, the lowest among larger states and significantly below the national average.
  • India's overall IMR stands at 25 per 1,000 live births, a substantial decrease from the 1971 level of 129.
  • In the last decade, the nationwide IMR has dropped by 37.5%.
  • High IMR states include Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, all at 37, making infant mortality seven times higher than in Kerala.
  • Manipur leads with an IMR of just 3, surpassing Kerala, showcasing effective health interventions even in smaller states.

Population Indicators

  • The birth rate declined from 36.9 in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023.
  • The death rate fell from 14.9 to 6.4 over the same period.
  • Rural areas saw a decline in death rate from 7.2 in 2022 to 6.8 in 2023, and urban areas from 6.0 to 5.7.

Rural-Urban Gap in Infant Mortality

  • Rural India reports an IMR of 28 per 1,000 live births, higher than the urban IMR of 18.
  • This indicates that infants in rural areas are over 50% more likely to die before their first birthday compared to urban areas.
  • The gap is primarily due to limited hospital access, lack of trained health workers, and delayed medical care.
  • Kerala exhibits minimal rural-urban disparity, reflecting equitable healthcare access.

Top and Bottom States/UTs in IMR

Lowest IMR

  • Manipur – 3
  • Ladakh – 4
  • Kerala – 5
  • Goa and Sikkim – 6
  • Chandigarh and Puducherry – 7

Highest IMR

  • Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh – 37
  • Odisha and Assam – 30
  • Jharkhand and Rajasthan – 29
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  • IMR
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