Infant mortality rate in India
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is the number of infant deaths (less than one-year-old) per thousand live births. As of the 2011 census, India’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)* was 44. As of 2017, the national Infant Mortality Rate stands at 33. The IMR varies significantly across India, ranging from 37 in rural areas to 23 in urban areas. Among the larger States/Union Territories, Kerala has the lowest IMR at 10, while Madhya Pradesh reports the highest at 47. Female infants generally experience higher mortality rates compared to male infants in most states, except Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand.
Source: Based on Indian Census 2017 Studies
Infant mortality rate State wise
Among the larger States and Union Territories, Kerala records the lowest Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) at 10, while Madhya Pradesh reports the highest at 46. Female infants generally experience higher mortality rates compared to male infants in most states, except for Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand.
| Infant mortality rate | Total | Male | Females |
| India | 33 | 32 | 34 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 32 | 31 | 33 |
| Assam | 44 | 41 | 46 |
| Bihar | 35 | 34 | 37 |
| Chhattisgarh | 38 | 39 | 37 |
| Delhi | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| Gujarat | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Haryana | 30 | 28 | 31 |
| Himachal Pradesh* | 23 | 22 | 23 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 23 | 22 | 23 |
| Jharkhand | 29 | 25 | 33 |
| Karnataka | 25 | 24 | 26 |
| Kerala | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 47 | 48 | 45 |
| Maharashtra | 19 | 18 | 19 |
| Odisha | 41 | 40 | 41 |
| Punjab | 21 | 20 | 22 |
| Rajasthan | 38 | 37 | 40 |
| Tamil Nadu | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| Telangana | 29 | 28 | 29 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 41 | 39 | 43 |
| Uttarakhand | 32 | 35 | 29 |
| West Bengal | 24 | 23 | 24 |
Source: Based on Indian Census 2017 Studies
5 States with Highest Infant Mortality Rate
Infant Mortality rate is Highest in Madhya Pradesh followed by Assam & Odisha. let’s have a look at the top 5 states where the Infant Mortality rate is highest in India
| # | Infant mortality rate | Total | Male | Females |
| 1 | Madhya Pradesh | 47 | 48 | 45 |
| 2 | Assam | 44 | 41 | 46 |
| 3 | Odisha | 41 | 40 | 41 |
| 4 | Uttar Pradesh | 41 | 39 | 43 |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh | 38 | 39 | 37 |
| 6 | Rajasthan | 38 | 37 | 40 |
5 States with Lowest Infant Mortality Rate
The Infant Mortality rate is the Lowest in Kerala followed by Delhi & Tamil Nadu. let’s have a look at the top 5 states where the Infant Mortality rate is lowest in India
| # | Infant mortality rate | Total | Male | Females |
| 1 | Kerala | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| 2 | Delhi | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| 3 | Tamil Nadu | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 19 | 18 | 19 |
| 5 | Punjab | 21 | 20 | 22 |