India’s birth, death rates halve in 50 years; infant mortality falls fastest

Considered one of the most critical measures of health standards, IMR fell from 40 in 2013 to 25 in 2023, a 37.5% drop.

For the first time, India’s birth and death rates have fallen to nearly half their levels from fifty years ago, underscoring major gains in healthcare, family planning, and social well-being, reported News 18, citing government data for 2023.

The Sample Registration System (SRS) shows that India’s birth rate, death rate, and infant mortality rate (IMR) have all registered a steady decline over the past decades.

Birth rate 

The birth rate, defined as the number of live births per 1,000 people, has declined from 21.4 in 2013 to 18.4 in 2023, according to the report. In 1971, the birth rate was 36.9, indicating that India's birth rate has essentially halved over the past five decades.

In rural areas, which have traditionally experienced higher fertility rates, the birth rate decreased from 22.9 to 20.3 over the last ten years. Meanwhile, urban areas experienced a more significant decline, dropping from 17.3 to 14.9.

Bihar had the highest birth rate in 2023 at 25.8, while the Andaman & Nicobar Islands reported the lowest at 10.1.

Death rate

The death rate, deaths per 1,000 people, also declined from 7.0 in 2013 to 6.4 in 2023. Rural India reported a death rate of 6.8 compared to 5.7 in urban areas, the report stated further. Among states, Chhattisgarh had the highest at 8.3, while Chandigarh recorded the lowest at 4.0.

Infant mortality rate

The sharpest progress has been in IMR, which reflects the number of infants dying before their first birthday for every 1,000 live births. Considered one of the most critical measures of health standards, IMR fell from 40 in 2013 to 25 in 2023, a 37.5% drop.

Rural IMR declined from 44 to 28, and urban IMR from 27 to 18 during the same period. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest IMR at 37, while Manipur recorded the lowest at just 3.

Maternal mortality

India has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality. Data from the National Health Mission indicates that between 1990 and 2020, the country's Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) decreased by 83%, compared to a global reduction of 42%. In 1990, there were 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births; this number has now dropped to 97.

This data highlights that improvements in healthcare access, maternal and child health programs, and better living standards have contributed to enhanced survival rates and overall well-being across India. However, there are considerable disparities among different states, suggesting that tailored strategies are needed to sustain and further these improvements.