TS, AP record low birth rates, infant mortality rates improve

Records as per the latest yearly ‘Sample Registration System’

The two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh had recorded birth rates much lower than the national average in both urban and rural areas, whereas the death rates are slightly more. Also, the infant mortality rate has improved indicating better healthcare facilities over the years. This is as per the latest yearly ‘Sample Registration System (SRS)’ brought out by the Office of Registrar General of India for all States and Union Territories.

The SRS provides reliable annual estimates of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), birth rate, death rate and other fertility and mortality indicators at the national and sub-national levels. It is a large-scale demographic survey conducted every year and the latest bulletin released on Tuesday is for 2019, which means the COVID years’ (20-21) figures are not yet available.

If the national birth rate per thousand population is 19.7 with 16.4 in urban areas and 21.4 in rural areas, it is 16.7 in TS with 16.1 in urban areas and 17 in rural areas; whereas in neighbouring AP the figures are: 15.9 in total with 15.2 in urban areas and 16.2 in rural areas.