Karnataka recorded a marginal one-point rise in its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) in 2024, according to the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) data 2024, released on Thursday, (May 21), by the Office of the Registrar-General of India.

The IMR is defined as infant (less than one year) deaths per thousand live births in a given time period and for a given region.

The latest SRS estimates showed that Karnataka’s IMR increased by one point from 14 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 to 15 in 2024. The U5MR also increased from 17 to 18 during the same period. However, the State’s Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) remained unchanged at 11 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Karnataka’s IMR has seen a reduction of 20 points since 2011. From 35 in 2011, the State successfully reduced the IMR to 24 in 2016. Although this vital parameter again went up and touched 25 in 2017, it has fallen by two points every year since then, touching 19 in 2020 and 14 in 2023. This is the second time since 2017 that the State’s IMR has seen a marginal rise.

Urban-rural disparities

According to the SRS data, Karnataka has also recorded persistent rural-urban disparities, particularly in infant mortality and death rates.

While Karnataka’s urban regions showed relatively better health indicators, rural areas continued to report higher mortality levels. The State’s rural infant mortality rate stood at 17, compared with 11 in urban areas.

Health experts have often linked higher rural mortality to unequal access to neonatal care, specialist healthcare facilities, emergency transport systems and maternal health services.

Better than many States

Karnataka performed substantially better than several northern and central Indian States on infant mortality indicators.

States such as Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh recorded infant mortality rates of 35, while Chhattisgarh stood at 36. Assam reported an IMR of 29 and Odisha 28.

Lowest in Kerala

Among southern States, Kerala continued to record the country’s best infant mortality figures at eight, although the rate has increased by three points here from five in 2023 to eight in 2024.

Kerala is followed by Tamil Nadu, which has seen a decline from 12 in 2023 to 11 in 2024. Maharashtra and Telangana also recorded a one point decline from 14 in 2023 to 13 in 2024 and 18 in 2023 to 17 in 2024 respectively.

Not a reverse trend

Basavaraj B. Dhabadi, State Deputy Director (Child Health), told The Hindu that a marginal increase of one point cannot be considered as a reverse trend. “Such minor variations are common when IMR has already seen a drastic decline over the years,” he said.

Pointing out that coordinated efforts by all government departments is a must to ensure improvement in the State’s mortality indicators, Dr. Dhabadi said, “We have noted that substantially improving the community and facility based services has helped a lot. However, preterm birth complications, birth asphyxia and low birth weight apart from congenital anomalies are challenges that need to be addressed continuously.”