Assam Achieves Significant Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate

Progress in Infant Mortality Rate

Guwahati, Sept 26: Recent government statistics reveal that Assam has made notable strides in lowering its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) from 2018 to 2023. The IMR in Assam is reported to be 30 in 2023, a decrease from 41 in 2018.

In rural regions, the IMR was recorded at 32, while urban areas saw a significantly lower rate of 15.

Initially, Assam's IMR was 41 in 2018, which saw a slight reduction to 40 in 2019, followed by further declines to 36 in 2020, 34 in 2021, 32 in 2022, and finally 30 in 2023, according to the latest data.

Across India, IMR figures varied, with rates ranging from three in Manipur to 37 in states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh in 2023. Generally, rural areas exhibited higher IMR compared to urban settings.

Assam recorded the largest disparity in IMR between rural (32) and urban (15) populations.

Nationally, the IMR has decreased from 42.3 in the 2011-13 period to 26.3 in 2021-23, with rural IMR dropping by 36.3% and urban IMR by 36%.

In Assam, the IMR fell by over 41% from 54.9 in 2011-13 to 32.1 in 2021-23. The rural IMR decreased by 40.8%, while urban areas experienced a 53.2% decline.

As of 2023, Assam's overall Neo-Natal Mortality Rate was 21, with urban areas at 22 and rural areas at 12.

Neo-natal deaths accounted for 70.2% of infant deaths in the reviewed year. The national Neo-Natal Mortality Rate was 19 deaths per 1,000 live births, with rural areas at 21 and urban areas at 13.

The percentage of neo-natal deaths among infant deaths was 73.2%, indicating that a considerable number of infant fatalities occurred within the first 28 days of life.

Furthermore, Assam's Early Neo-Natal Mortality Rate was 15 in 2023, with a Peri-Natal Mortality Rate of 20 and a stillbirth rate of six.

The Under-Five Mortality Rate in Assam was 33 overall in 2023, with rural areas at 35 and urban areas at 16.

The Crude Death Rate (CDR) in Assam was 6.2 in 2023, slightly lower than the national average of 6.4. The CDR in rural Assam was 6.3, while urban areas recorded 5.6.

Assam's CDR saw a 19% decline from 2011-13 to 2021-23. The latest data indicates a higher proportion of the population in the working age group.

In 2023, 25.8% of Assam's population was aged 0-14 years, while those aged 15-59 years made up 66.6%. The remaining 7.6% were aged 60 and above.

At the national level, 66.1% of the population fell within the 15-59 age group, with 65.9% for males and 66.2% for females.

Rural areas had a slightly lower percentage of the population in this age group (64.6%) compared to urban areas (68.8%).

Variations in the male and female population percentages in this age group were observed across different states and UTs, as well as between rural and urban areas.

For example, Jammu & Kashmir had the highest percentage of females in this age group in rural areas at 70.1%, while Assam had the highest percentage of females in urban areas at 72.4%.

Delhi recorded the highest percentage of males in the 15-59 age group in rural areas at 72.9%, whereas Assam had the highest percentage of males in urban areas at 70.9%.