India's Infant Mortality Rate Declines, Yet Disparities Persist Across States
Infant deaths fall, but gap across states remains wide
The Times Of India
Image: The Times Of India
India's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has decreased from 30 in 2019 to 24 in 2024, with notable disparities among states. Chhattisgarh recorded the highest IMR at 36, while Kerala had the lowest at 8. The decline is attributed to increased institutional deliveries, but significant gaps remain, particularly in rural areas and between genders.
- 01Chhattisgarh, despite a rise in institutional deliveries from 77% to 97%, saw only an 18.3% decline in IMR, from 45 to 37.
- 02The highest improvement in IMR was recorded in Jammu and Kashmir, with a decline of 62.7%, from 37 to 14.
- 03Assam exhibited the largest disparity in IMR between rural (31) and urban areas (14).
- 04In Bihar, the IMR for male infants was 21, while for female infants it was 25, highlighting a gender gap.
- 05Neonatal deaths account for 73% of infant deaths, with India's overall neonatal mortality rate at 18 per 1,000 live births.
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India has made significant progress in reducing its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which has dropped from 30 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019 to 24 in 2024. However, disparities across states remain stark. Chhattisgarh recorded the highest IMR at 36, while Kerala had the lowest at 8. The decline is largely attributed to a rise in institutional deliveries, which increased from below 83% in 2019 to over 95% in 2024. Despite this, Chhattisgarh exemplifies that higher institutional delivery rates do not guarantee a proportional decline in IMR, as it saw only an 18.3% reduction in IMR during the same period. Jammu and Kashmir achieved the highest improvement, with a 62.7% decline. Rural areas continue to experience a higher IMR than urban areas, with Assam showing the largest gap. Furthermore, gender disparities are evident, particularly in Bihar, where male infants have a lower IMR than females. Neonatal deaths, which occur within the first 28 days of life, constitute 73% of infant deaths, underscoring the critical need for focused interventions in maternal and neonatal healthcare.
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The reduction in IMR indicates improvements in maternal and child healthcare, which can lead to better health outcomes for families, especially in rural areas.
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