Source: TH
Context:
The Registrar-General of India (RGI), under the Civil Registration System (CRS), released the “Vital Statistics of India 2023” report, highlighting India’s demographic transition and post-pandemic stabilization in population dynamics. CRS is a continuous, compulsory system recording births, deaths, and other vital events, governed under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
Key Findings (2023):
- Births:
- Total registered: 2.52 crore, a decline of 2.32 lakh from 2022.
- Indicates continuing fertility decline and demographic transition.
- Deaths:
- Total registered: 86.6 lakh, slightly higher than 86.5 lakh in 2022.
- Shows post-pandemic stabilization, after the spike in 2021 (102.2 lakh).
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB):
- National average remains skewed.
- Lowest: Jharkhand (899), Bihar (900).
- Highest: Arunachal Pradesh (1,085).
- Highlights gender disparity concerns.
- Institutional Births:
- 74.7% of births occurred in health institutions.
- Reflects improved maternal healthcare access.
- Registration Levels:
- Overall birth registration: 98.4%
- Timely registration (>90%) achieved by 11 States/UTs within 21 days.
Implications:
- Demographic Transition: Declining fertility indicates movement toward population stabilization, influenced by urbanization and socio-economic factors.
- Health Policy Impact: High institutional births show success of programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana and LaQshya.
- Gender Concerns: Low SRB in northern states underscores the need for continued Beti Bachao Beti Padhao interventions.
