Source: BS
Context:
The Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin 2023 (Vol. 58 No.1) by the Office of the Registrar General of India highlights sharp declines in birth rate, death rate, infant mortality, and fertility compared to 1971 levels. While overall trends show progress in maternal-child health, family planning, and healthcare access, disparities persist across rural-urban regions and states.
Key Findings from SRS 2023:
Birth Rate (per 1,000 population)
- India (2023): 18.4 (↓ from 36.9 in 1971, 21.4 in 2013).
- Rural: 20.3 | Urban: 14.9.
- Highest: Bihar (25.8) | Lowest: Andaman & Nicobar Islands (10.1).
Top 5 States – Highest Birth Rates
- Bihar – 25.8
- Uttar Pradesh – 23.6
- Rajasthan – 22.9
- Madhya Pradesh – 22.5
- Chhattisgarh – 22.3
Bottom 5 States – Lowest Birth Rates
- Andaman & Nicobar – 10.1
- Tamil Nadu – 12.0
- Kerala – 12.3
- Punjab – 13.8
- Maharashtra/West Bengal – 14.0
Death Rate (per 1,000 population)
- India (2023): 6.4 (↓ from 14.9 in 1971, 7.0 in 2013).
- Gender gap: Men – 7.2 | Women – 5.7.
- Rural: 6.8 | Urban: 5.7.
- Highest: Chhattisgarh (8.3) | Lowest: Chandigarh (4.0).
Top 5 States – Highest Death Rates
- Chhattisgarh – 8.3
- Odisha – 7.7
- Kerala – 7.2
- Punjab – 7.3
- Andhra Pradesh/Karnataka – 6.9/6.8
Bottom 5 States – Lowest Death Rates
- Chandigarh – 4.0
- Delhi – 4.5
- Manipur – 4.5
- Nagaland/Sikkim – 5.5
- J&K – 5.6
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR – per 1,000 live births)
- India (2023): 25 (↓ from 129 in 1971; 37.5% drop in last decade).
- Rural: 28 | Urban: 18.
- By gender: Male – 26 | Female – 25.
- Highest IMR: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (37).
- Lowest IMR: Manipur (3).
Top 5 States – Highest IMR
- Chhattisgarh – 37
- Madhya Pradesh – 37
- Uttar Pradesh – 37
- Meghalaya – 34
- Odisha/Assam – 30 each
Bottom 5 States – Lowest IMR
- Manipur – 3
- Kerala – 5
- Goa/Sikkim – 6
- Nagaland – 10
- Tamil Nadu – 12
Fertility Rate (TFR – children per woman)
- India (2023): 1.9 (↓ from 5.2 in 1971; below replacement level of 2.1).
- Rural: 2.1 (replacement) | Urban: 1.5.
- Highest TFR: Bihar (2.8).
- Lowest TFR: Delhi (1.2).
Top 5 States – Highest TFR
- Bihar – 2.8
- Uttar Pradesh – 2.6
- Madhya Pradesh – 2.5
- Rajasthan – 2.3
- Chhattisgarh – 2.2
Bottom 5 States – Lowest TFR
- Delhi – 1.2
- West Bengal – 1.3
- Tamil Nadu – 1.3
- Maharashtra – 1.4
- Kerala/Andhra Pradesh – 1.5
18 states/UTs now below replacement fertility.
Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB – girls per 1,000 boys, 2021–23)
- India: 917.
- Best: Chhattisgarh (974), Kerala (971).
- Lowest: Uttarakhand (868), Haryana (871).
- Concern: Bihar fell from 964 (2020) to 897.
Life Expectancy at Birth (2019–23)
- India: Males – 68.5 yrs | Females – 72.5 yrs.
- Highest: Kerala (78.4+), Delhi (74.2), Himachal Pradesh (74.4).
- Lowest: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam (5–7 years below national average).
