India’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped to its lowest point ever, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2023 report released by the Registrar General of India. IMR, which measures the number of infant deaths (children below one year of age) per 1,000 live births in a year, now stands at 25. This marks a significant improvement from 2013, when the figure was 40, reflecting a decline of nearly 37.5 per cent.

The report states that in 2023, 25 infants out of every 1,000 live births did not survive their first year, compared to 129 in 1971. This indicates a remarkable 80 per cent reduction in infant deaths over the past five decades.
Among the states,Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest IMR at 37, while Manipur registered the lowest at 3. Kerala emerged as the only large state with a single-digit IMR of 5, ranking second in the country after Manipur.

The data also highlights progress in both rural and urban areas. Rural IMR declined from 44 to 28 in the last decade, while urban IMR dropped from 27 to 18 during the same period, suggesting improved healthcare facilities and awareness.

The report further outlines changes in birth and death rates. India’s birth rate, which denotes the number of live births per 1,000 people, has reduced from 36.9 in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023. Over the last decade, it has seen a 14 per cent drop, from 21.4 in 2013 to 18.4 in 2023. Bihar recorded the highest birth rate at 25.8, whereas the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported the lowest at 10.1.

Death rates have also shown a steady decline. From 14.9 in 1971, the figure has come down to 6.4 in 2023. In rural areas, it decreased from 7.2 in 2022 to 6.8 in 2023, while in urban regions, it fell from 6.0 to 5.7. Chandigarh reported the lowest death rate at 4, while Chhattisgarh had the highest at 8.3. Overall, the report reflects substantial improvements in India’s health and population indicators, though certain states still require greater efforts to bridge the gap.