Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021

Syllabus: Governance

Source: TH

Context: The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021, released by the Registrar General of India, shows significant demographic shifts, including falling birth rates and improved maternal and child health.

Summary of Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021:

• Crude Birth Rate (CBR) at national level is 19.3, down from 19.5 in 2020. Kerala (12.9) has the lowest, Bihar (25.6) the highest.

• Crude Death Rate (CDR) is 7.5, with Chhattisgarh (10.1) highest and Delhi (5.4) lowest.

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) declined to 27 per 1,000 live births (from 34 in 2016). Kerala has the best IMR (6), MP the worst (41).

• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) stands at 31; Kerala again leads (8), while national female U5MR shows 2-point drop.

• Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is 19, down from 26 in 2014.

• Sex Ratio at Birth improved from 899 (2014) to 913 (2021). Kerala leads with 962; Uttarakhand lowest (852).

• Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is 2.0, down from 2.3 in 2014. States like Delhi and WB have TFR of 1.4, well below replacement level (2.1).

• Medical attention at delivery reached 91.1% in 2021; 39.3% of deceased received medical attention before death.

Analysis of the Report:

• Positives:

• Fertility Decline: TFR of 2.0 indicates India has reached population stabilization.

E.g. Delhi, WB, Kerala at 1.4–1.5 well below replacement level.

• Decline in Infant and Child Mortality: IMR dropped from 34 (2016) to 27 (2021); 7-point fall in 5 years shows strong maternal-child health efforts. Improved Sex Ratio at Birth: An increase from 899 to 913 indicates progress in gender equity at birth. State-Level SDG Achievement: 8 States achieved MMR SDG target, 12 States met U5MR target, and 6 States met NMR target. Global Recognition: UN reports show India outperforms global average in child mortality reduction – U5MR down by 78% since 1990.

• Decline in Infant and Child Mortality: IMR dropped from 34 (2016) to 27 (2021); 7-point fall in 5 years shows strong maternal-child health efforts.

• Improved Sex Ratio at Birth: An increase from 899 to 913 indicates progress in gender equity at birth.

• State-Level SDG Achievement: 8 States achieved MMR SDG target, 12 States met U5MR target, and 6 States met NMR target.

• Global Recognition: UN reports show India outperforms global average in child mortality reduction – U5MR down by 78% since 1990.

• Negatives

• Wide Inter-State Disparities: Bihar (TFR 3.0) and MP (IMR 41) lag behind, highlighting unequal healthcare access. Sluggish Progress in High-Fertility States: States like Rajasthan, Bihar, and UP show slowest decline in birth rates (below 1% annually). Limited Access to Pre-Death Medical Attention: Only 39.3% of deceased received care before death, pointing to gaps in end-of-life services. Urban-Rural Gap: Rural women still have TFR of 2.2 vs. 1.6 in urban areas, indicating differential reproductive behavior. Uttarakhand Anomaly: Only state with a rise in birth rate, contrary to the national trend.

• Wide Inter-State Disparities: Bihar (TFR 3.0) and MP (IMR 41) lag behind, highlighting unequal healthcare access.

• Sluggish Progress in High-Fertility States: States like Rajasthan, Bihar, and UP show slowest decline in birth rates (below 1% annually).

• Limited Access to Pre-Death Medical Attention: Only 39.3% of deceased received care before death, pointing to gaps in end-of-life services.

• Urban-Rural Gap: Rural women still have TFR of 2.2 vs. 1.6 in urban areas, indicating differential reproductive behavior.

• Uttarakhand Anomaly: Only state with a rise in birth rate, contrary to the national trend.

Way Ahead:

• Targeted Interventions: Focus on high TFR states like Bihar and UP through behavioral change, incentives, and family planning.

• Strengthen Rural Healthcare: Bridge gaps in rural IMR and maternal care via infrastructure and skilled health workers.

• Improve End-of-Life Care: Enhance access to palliative and emergency care to increase pre-death medical attention.

• Sustain Gender Equity Measures: Continue Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, financial incentives, and education reforms.

• Leverage Digital Health Tools: Real-time maternal and child health tracking for responsive governance using AI-based platforms.

Conclusion:

The SRS 2021 report reflects India’s strong progress in population stabilization, maternal and child health, and gender balance at birth. However, regional disparities and unequal access to healthcare demand focused policy and sustained investment. India’s progress, if equitably extended, can serve as a global model for demographic transition.

• The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them? (2022)