Bihar’s rural under-five mortality is 33 per 1,000 live births
Chandigarh: India’s children are showing measurable improvements in health, education, and adoption outcomes, according to the fourth edition of Children in India 2025, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) here today during the 29th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organisations (CoCSSO). The report presents a comprehensive, chapter-wise analysis, covering population and vital statistics, health and nutrition, education and development, crimes involving children, child protection, policy and legal frameworks, and Sustainable Development Goals related to children.
At the national level, infant mortality rate (IMR) has declined to 25 per 1,000 live births in 2023, down from 32 in 2018, with male infants at 26 and female infants at 25 per 1,000. Under-five mortality rate (U5MR) stands at 29 in 2023, an improvement from 36 in 2018, with rural areas at 33 and urban areas at 20 per 1,000 live births. The overall birth rate has decreased to 18.4 per 1,000 population, higher in rural regions at 20.3 and lower in urban areas at 14.9.
Education outcomes show substantial improvement. Dropout rates fell from 8.7% to 2.3% at the preparatory stage, from 8.1% to 3.5% at the middle stage, and from 13.8% in 2022–23 to 8.2% at the secondary level in 2024–25. Both boys and girls benefited from these reductions. Gender parity in education, measured through the Gender Parity Index (GPI) based on Gross Enrolment Ratio, indicates national parity across all stages, with secondary level showing a GPI of 1.1.
Adoption statistics show an upward trend, with 4,155 in-country adoptions in 2024–25, including 2,336 girls and 1,819 boys. Inter-country adoptions during the same period ranged from 360 to 653 children. The report also incorporates new indicators for the first time, including causes of death, overall performance comparisons, and children’s use of mobile and other devices.
A state-by-state analysis reveals substantial regional variations. In northern India, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar continue to register higher infant and under-five mortality rates than the national average. Bihar’s rural under-five mortality is 33 per 1,000 live births, while rural birth rates remain above 20 per 1,000. The figures highlight ongoing challenges in maternal and child healthcare infrastructure in densely populated regions.
Western states such as Rajasthan and Gujarat show improvements in school retention and reductions in dropout rates. Rajasthan’s secondary school dropout rate fell to 8.2% in 2024–25, down from 13.8% in 2022–23, while Gujarat reflects steady improvements in educational participation.
Central states present a mixed picture. Madhya Pradesh has improved school retention but continues to face above-average under-five mortality, while Chhattisgarh reports a gradual reduction in infant mortality, particularly in rural districts.
Eastern states such as Odisha and Jharkhand show progress in secondary school retention, though rural educational access and child health indicators remain challenges.
Southern states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, display stronger performance with lower infant and under-five mortality, high school retention, and smaller urban-rural disparities.
The northeastern region, including Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura, reports low birth rates, low infant mortality, and high school retention, though adoption figures remain modest due to smaller populations.
Union Territories generally perform above national averages. Delhi records low dropout rates across all levels and demonstrates gender parity in enrollment, while Puducherry and Chandigarh maintain high levels of child health and educational participation. Across states and Union Territories, female children are adopted in slightly higher numbers than male children, consistent with national adoption patterns.
Overall, Children in India 2025 consolidates official data from the Sample Registration System, UDISE+, and other line ministries to offer a quantitative lens on progress and disparities in child well-being. Northern and central states continue to face higher mortality and dropout challenges, whereas southern and northeastern regions generally perform better.
– global bihari bureau
