NEW DELHI: Nearly two-thirds of all live births in India—66.4%—were first-born children, while fourth and subsequent births dwindled to barely 3.5%, according to the 2024 Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report. On birth spacing, a critical factor for maternal health and child development, the data shows that 53.5% of second or later births occurred 36 months or more after the previous birth.
Birth Order Distribution
As per the 2024 data, nearly 23% of births were second-order births (second child), and 7.3% were third-order births. In terms of urban and rural trends, 65.4% of live births were first-order in rural India, compared to 69% in urban areas. Among larger states and Union territories, Telangana recorded the highest percentage of first-order births at 82.7%, while Kerala had the lowest at 47.9%. Interestingly, Kerala had the highest percentages of second-order and third-order births at 34.9% and 13.3%, respectively. In contrast, Telangana had the lowest at 13.4% and 2.9%. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest percentage of fourth- or higher-order births at 6.5%, while Andhra Pradesh stood at the bottom at 0.5%.
Historical Trends
Data on birth order and birth intervals have been collected under the SRS since 1990. The trend in 2024 is consistent with previous years. In 2023, first-order births accounted for 66%, and fourth- or higher-order births were 3.6%. In 2022, 64% of live births were first-order, and fourth- or higher-order births stood at 4.7%.
Birth Spacing
Regarding spacing, 53.5% of second and higher-order births occurred 36 months or more after the previous live birth, while only 1.4% occurred within 10–12 months. Additionally, 19.3% of births occurred within 12–24 months, and 25.8% within 24–36 months of the previous live birth. The distribution varied considerably across states and UTs. For instance, the percentage of second and higher-order births occurring 36 months or more after the previous birth ranged from 32.8% in Andhra Pradesh to 79% in Assam.
Health Implications
Previous research using government data, such as the National Family Health Surveys, has repeatedly underlined the urgent need for better birth spacing methods in family planning. Studies have highlighted that pregnancies less than a year apart increase the risk of diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and stunting among children under five in India.
Education and Fertility
The report also pointed to a strong link between women's education and fertility rates. While India's total fertility rate at 1.9 remained below the replacement level of 2.1 in 2024, illiterate women recorded a much higher fertility rate of 3.2 compared to 1.8 among literate women.
