Karnataka Infant Mortality Rate Rises to 15 as Birth Rate Continues to Fall
A newly released Sample Registration System (SRS) report from the Registrar General of India has revealed a marginal increase in Karnataka's infant mortality rate (IMR) for 2024, marking a shift after a decade of consistent decline. The report, released in Bengaluru, also showed that the state's birth rate has remained below the national average for the third consecutive year, indicating a transition toward a low-growth demographic phase.
The state's IMR, which measures the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births, had previously dropped by 55 percent between 2013 and 2023 to reach 14. In 2024, that figure rose slightly to 15. Despite this marginal increase, Karnataka's IMR remains significantly lower than the national average of 24, keeping it among the better-performing states in India.
State health department officials cautioned against interpreting the minor rise as a reversal of long-term progress. Dr Basavaraj B Dhabadi, deputy director (child health), explained that such variations are expected when the standard of care improves and mortality rates approach single digits. He stated that these fluctuations do not indicate a change in the overall declining trend.
The SRS data also highlighted a continuing disparity between urban and rural areas. Urban Karnataka recorded an IMR of 11 in 2024, compared to a higher rate of 17 in the state's rural areas.
In addition to infant mortality trends, the report detailed a declining birth rate across the state. Karnataka's birth rate remained below the national average of 18.3 in 2024. This decline was particularly sharp in urban areas, where the birth rate fell from 14.5 in 2022 to 13.7 in 2024. Rural birth rates also decreased from 16.8 to 15.9 over the same period. Health officials attributed these shifts to delayed marriages, changing lifestyles, and a preference for smaller families, especially among urban populations.
Meanwhile, Karnataka's overall death rate for 2024 was recorded at 7, which sits slightly above the national average of 6.4.
To address these demographic challenges, Dr Basavaraj B Dhabadi stated that the health department will proceed with its developmental plans, including district-specific strategies and continued public awareness campaigns.
