Infant mortality rate highest in MP, lowest in Nagaland
What's the story
Madhya Pradesh has the highest rate of infant mortality, recording 48 deaths per 1,000 live births, government data released on Friday showed. Meanwhile, Nagaland recorded the best infant mortality rate (IMR) across India. The data was released by the Registrar General of India in the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin. The bulletin is based on data collected for 2018. Here are more details.
Infant mortality
IMR stood at 52 in MP's rural areas
Madhya Pradesh recorded an average IMR of 48. While the state's urban areas recorded an IMR of 36, in rural areas, it was 52. Nagaland recorded an IMR of 4, which dropped to 3 in urban areas. Rural areas in the state recorded an IMR of 5. India's overall IMR stood at 32 (36 in rural areas and 23 in urban areas).
Birth rate
Bihar records highest birth rate; national average 20
According to the data, the national birth rate stood at 20 (21.6 in rural areas; 16.7 in urban areas). Bihar recorded the highest birth rate (26.2) while Andaman & Nicobar recorded the lowest (11.2). Notably, India's birth rate has dipped over the past four decades, from 36.9 in 1971, The Indian Express reported. In the last decade, the birth rate has dropped by 11%.
Death rate
India's death rate stood at 6.2 in 2018
The national death rate stood at 6.2 (6.7 in rural areas; 5.1 in urban areas). While Chhattisgarh had the highest death rate (8), Delhi's death rate stood at 3.3, the lowest across India. The death rate has declined over the past four decades from 14.9 in 1971. Notably, India's rural regions have witnessed an even steeper decline over the period compared to urban regions.