India's public health sector has reached a significant milestone, with the country's Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) plummeting to a record low of 25. According to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) report for 2023, issued by the Registrar General of India, this marks an 80% decline from the IMR of 129 recorded in 1971.

The IMR, a key public health indicator, measures the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. The dramatic decrease reflects sustained improvements in healthcare access and infrastructure nationwide. While the national average shows remarkable progress, the report highlights significant regional disparities.

Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh registered the highest IMR at 37, while Manipur recorded the lowest at just 3.

Kerala sets a benchmark

The report singled out Kerala as a shining example. Kerala was the only one of the 21 large states to achieve a single-digit IMR, with a rate of 5, placing it second in the country after Manipur. This achievement is a testament to the state's consistent focus on public health and universal healthcare access.

The report also details a broader demographic shift, noting a substantial decline in both birth and death rates. The national birth rate has dropped from 36.9 in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023. Similarly, the death rate has fallen from 14.9 to 6.4 over the same period. This decline indicates improvements in both healthcare and overall living conditions.

Rural-Urban Trends

The positive trends are evident across both rural and urban areas. The IMR in rural India dropped from 44 to 28, and in urban areas, it went from 27 to 18. This suggests that public health initiatives are effectively reaching a wider population.

While the national numbers are encouraging, the report reveals ongoing challenges in certain regions. Bihar has the highest birth rate at 25.8, and Chhattisgarh has the highest death rate at 8.3. These figures underscore the need for continued targeted public health interventions to ensure uniform progress across all states.