India Outpaces Global Averages In Reducing Maternal, Child Mortality

As per the Sample Registration System (SRS) report 2021 released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), India has continued to witness a significant improvement in key maternal and child health indicators.

As per the special bulletin on maternal mortality in India, 2019-21 based on the sample registration system (SRS), the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of the country has shown a marked reduction, declining by 37 points from 130 per lakh live births in 2014–16 to 93 in 2019–21.

Similarly, as per report, the downward trend of child mortality indicators continued. The infant mortality rate (IMR) of the country has declined from 39 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 27 per 1000 live births in 2021. Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) has declined from 26 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 19 per 1000 live births in 2021. Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) has declined from 45 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 31 per 1000 live births in 2021. The sex ratio at birth improves from 899 in 2014 to 913 in 2021. Total fertility rate is consistent at 2.0 in 2021, which is a significant improvement from 2.3 in 2014.

As per SRS 2021 report, eight States have already attained SDG target of MMR (<=70 by 2030): Kerala (20), Maharashtra (38), Telangana (45), Andhra Pradesh (46), Tamil Nadu (49), Jharkhand (51), Gujarat (53), Karnataka (63).

Twelve States/UT have already attained SDG target of U5MR (<=25 by 2030): Kerala (8), Delhi (14), Tamil Nadu (14), Jammu & Kashmir (16), Maharashtra (16), West Bengal (20), Karnataka (21), Punjab (22), Telangana (22), Himachal Pradesh (23), Andhra Pradesh (24) and Gujarat (24).

Six States/ UT have already attained SDG target of NMR (<=12 by 2030): Kerala (4), Delhi (8), Tamil Nadu (9), Maharashtra (11), Jammu & Kashmir (12) and Himachal Pradesh (12).

Further, India's progress in reduction of maternal and child mortality indicators outpaces global averages.

As per the current United Nation maternal mortality estimation inter-agency group (UN-MMEIG) report 2000-2023, India’s MMR has reduced by 23 points from 2020 to 2023. By this achievement, MMR of India has now declined by 86 per cent compared to global reduction of 48 per cent over the past 33 years from 1990 to 2023.

Significant achievement has been highlighted in reduction of child mortality in India in the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) report 2024. India is among the top performer countries with reduction in child mortality rates. As per the report, India achieved a 78 per cent decline in the U5MR surpassing the global reduction of 61 per cent; 70 per cent decline in the NMR compared to 54 per cent globally, and 71 per cent decline in IMR compared to 58 per cent globally, over the past 33 years from 1990 to 2023. These sustained improvements are a result of strategic interventions and unwavering commitment of the government of India. (PIB)