Context
The recently released Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin 2024 indicates a clear trend of demographic transition in India, showing a notable decline in the country’s birth rate, death rate, and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) over the decade from 2014 to 2024.
1. Key Data Trends (2014 vs. 2024)
| Indicator | 2014 | 2024 | Absolute Difference / Trend |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000 population) | 21 | 18.3 | Down by 2.7 points |
| Death Rate (per 1,000 population) | 6.7 | 6.4 | Down by 0.3 points (Marginal decline) |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) (per 1,000 live births) | 39 | 24 | Down by 15 points (Significant gain) |
2. Core Concepts & Key Findings
- Demographic Transition: India is actively progressing through the stages of demographic transition, characterized by shifting from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as economic development and healthcare improve.
- Rural vs. Urban Disparities:
- Birth Rate: Rural birth rate fell from 22.7 to 20.2, while the urban birth rate fell from 17.4 to 14.7.
- Death Rate: Rural death rate fell from 7.3 to 6.8. Interestingly, the urban death rate saw a marginal increase from 5.5 (in 2014) to 5.6 (in 2024).
- IMR Deficit: The urban areas registered a sharp decline in IMR from 26 to 17 (a 9-point drop). Rural areas dropped 16 points from 43 to 27, but rural figures still lag significantly behind national single-digit targets, dragging down the national average.
- Natural Growth Rate (NGR):
- Definition: The rate at which a population increases or decreases solely due to births and deaths, excluding the effects of migration. It is expressed as a percentage.
- State Performances:Kerala has the lowest Natural Growth Rate (NGR) among larger states at 3.9.
- Tamil Nadu follows closely with an NGR of 4.8.
- Among Union Territories, Andaman and Nicobar Islands lead with an NGR of 4.1.
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) Performers:
- Kerala has the lowest IMR in the country, achieving a single-digit IMR of 8.
- Tamil Nadu holds the second position among larger states with an IMR of 11.
- Goa (smaller state) has an IMR of 11, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (UT) show an IMR of 9.
3. Important Keywords to Remember
- Sample Registration System (SRS): A large-scale demographic survey in India that provides annual estimates of infant mortality rate, birth rate, death rate, and other fertility/mortality indicators at the national and sub-national levels. It is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Crude Birth Rate (CBR): The annual number of live births per 1,000 population.
- Crude Death Rate (CDR): The annual number of deaths per 1,000 population.
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): The number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births. It is a crucial indicator of the socio-economic development and health ecosystem of a region.
- Natural Growth Rate (NGR): Natural Growth Rate = Crude Birth Rate – Crude Death Rate (adjusted to a percentage, without accounting for net migration).
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): It is the average number of children a woman would have in her lifetime.
With reference to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Bulletin 2024, consider the following statements:
1. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in India declined significantly between 2014 and 2024.
2. Kerala recorded the highest Natural Growth Rate (NGR) among larger Indian states.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer:
(a) 1 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct: India’s IMR declined from 39 in 2014 to 24 in 2024.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Kerala recorded the lowest Natural Growth Rate (NGR) among larger states, not the highest.
