India has made significant progress in reducing its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which measures deaths per 1,000 live births. According to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) report for 2024, the national IMR dropped from 30 in 2019 to 24 in 2024, an average annual decline of about one point.
State-wise Variations in IMR
Among states, Chhattisgarh recorded the highest IMR at 36, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, both at 35. At the other end, Kerala had the lowest IMR at 8, with Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi all at 11.
Rural vs. Urban IMR
The report highlights that rural IMR decreased by 36% over the period, slightly more than the urban decline of 35%. Despite these improvements, one in every 42 infants nationally still dies within the first year of life. The disparity persists, with one in 37 infants in rural areas and one in 59 in urban areas succumbing.
Institutional Deliveries on the Rise
A key driver of the IMR reduction is the sharp increase in institutional deliveries. The percentage of live births where the mother received medical attention in a government or private hospital rose from below 83% in 2019 to over 95% in 2024. However, Chhattisgarh serves as a cautionary example: despite a rise in institutional deliveries from 77% to 97%, the state saw the smallest decline in IMR, falling only 18.3% from 45 to 37 between 2012-14 and 2022-24.
In contrast, Jammu and Kashmir achieved the highest improvement, with a 62.7% decline in IMR from 37 to 14 over the same period. Nationally, India reduced its IMR by 37.4% between 2012-14 and 2022-24, a faster pace than the 33.2% decline observed between 2002-04 and 2012-14.
Gender and Regional Disparities
Rural IMR has fallen more than urban overall, with Assam showing the widest gap: rural IMR at 31 compared to urban at 14. Many states also exhibit gender differences. Among larger states, Bihar had the highest gender gap, with an IMR of 21 for males and 25 for females. Conversely, in Jammu and Kashmir, male IMR (16) exceeded female IMR (12).
Neonatal Mortality Rate Remains a Concern
While IMR tracks deaths before age one, most occur within the first 28 days. The neonatal mortality rate (NMR), which measures deaths per 1,000 live births in the first 28 days, now accounts for nearly 73% of infant deaths, up from 67.6% in 2014. India's overall NMR stands at 18. Kerala again leads with the lowest NMR at 6, while Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh share the highest at 26, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 25.
