India has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its demographic indicators over the last five decades, with birth and death rates falling to nearly half of their levels in 1973. Government data for 2023 underscores a steady improvement in healthcare access, maternal and child health initiatives, and overall social well-being.
According to the Sample Registration System, the national birth rate has dropped sharply from 36.9 per 1,000 population in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023. Over the past decade, the decline continued from 21.4 in 2013 to 18.4 last year. Rural birth rates, traditionally higher, fell from 22.9 to 20.3, while urban centres experienced a steeper fall from 17.3 to 14.9. Bihar reported the highest birth rate at 25.8, contrasting sharply with the Andaman & Nicobar Islands at 10.1.
The death rate, which measures annual deaths per 1,000 people, also recorded a downward trajectory, falling from 7.0 in 2013 to 6.4 in 2023. Rural areas reported 6.8, compared to 5.7 in urban regions. Chhattisgarh recorded the highest death rate at 8.3, while Chandigarh reported the lowest at 4.0.
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Infant mortality, a key indicator of health standards, saw a striking reduction. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) fell from 40 per 1,000 live births in 2013 to 25 in 2023, representing a 37.5% decline. Rural IMR decreased from 44 to 28, and urban IMR fell from 27 to 18. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh registered the highest IMR at 37, whereas Manipur recorded a record low of 3.
Maternal health has also improved significantly. Data from the National Health Mission shows India’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) fell by 83% between 1990 and 2020, outpacing the global decline of 42%. Maternal deaths per 1 lakh live births have now dropped to 97, compared to 556 previously.
“Overall, the decline in these rates signals advancements in healthcare access, maternal and child health programmes, and better living conditions,” government officials noted. Yet, variations across states highlight the need for region-specific strategies to sustain and accelerate these gains.
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