The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2023 shows continued improvement in India’s demographic indicators. The national infant mortality rate (IMR) declined to 25 per 1,000 live births, down from 27 in 2022. The crude birth rate (CBR) stands at 19.7 per 1,000, while the crude death rate (CDR) is 6.3 per 1,000. Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) improved to 917 (2021–23) from 914 (2020-22) — It is highest in Chhattisgarh (974), lowest in Uttarakhand (868). Also, SRB was 914 in rural and 925 in urban areas.
Progress, however, is uneven. Southern states report IMR in single digits, comparable to middle-income countries, while parts of central and northern India still record rates above 35. Fertility levels have also converged, with India nearing replacement levels, but disparities remain between urban and rural areas.
These shifts point to India’s demographic transition entering a new phase, with lower fertility and mortality reshaping health and social policy needs.
Follow the full report here:
https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/46172/download/50420/SRS_STAT_2023.pdf
