India’s 2025 Infant Mortality Rate: State-by-State Analysis

India’s healthcare system has made significant progress, yet ensuring the survival of infants during their first year continues to pose a challenge.

The infant mortality rates in India for 2025, which indicate the number of infants who die before reaching their first birthday per 1,000 live births, reveal a national average of 23.

This figure shows improvement from 28 in 2020, attributed to advancements in hospitals and vaccination programs.

However, my table detailing state-wise infant mortality rates (IMR) for 2025 highlights substantial disparities across India’s 28 states and 8 union territories. While some areas excel, others face difficulties.

State-wise Infant Mortality Rates in India

Rank	State/Union Territory	Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 births, 2025 est)
1	Kerala	6
2	Delhi	12
3	Tamil Nadu	13
4	Maharashtra	14
5	Goa	15*
6	Chandigarh	16*
7	Gujarat	16
8	West Bengal	17
9	Karnataka	17
10	Punjab	18
11	Haryana	19
12	Himachal Pradesh	19
13	Jammu and Kashmir	19*
14	Puducherry	19*
15	Telangana	19
16	Andhra Pradesh	20
17	Uttarakhand	20
18	Odisha	21
19	Rajasthan	22
20	Jharkhand	23
21	Madhya Pradesh	23
22	Uttar Pradesh	23
23	Chhattisgarh	24
24	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	24*
25	Arunachal Pradesh	24*
26	Assam	24
27	Bihar	25
28	Manipur	25*
29	Meghalaya	25*
30	Mizoram	25*
31	Nagaland	25*
32	Sikkim	25*
33	Tripura	25*
34	DNHDD (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)	26*
35	Ladakh	26*
36	Lakshadweep	26*

The table organizes states and union territories according to their IMR, where lower figures indicate better health outcomes.

Kerala ranks first with an IMR of 6, followed by Delhi (12), Tamil Nadu (13), Maharashtra (14), and Goa (15).

Conversely, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu share the highest IMR at 26, with Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura closely trailing at 25.

Kerala’s leading position is a result of its robust healthcare infrastructure. The state operates clinics in every village, provides free vaccinations, and educates mothers on nutrition.

Delhi and Tamil Nadu follow suit due to their urban centers featuring modern hospitals and efficient ambulance services. Maharashtra benefits from urban hubs like Mumbai, where neonatal care is exceptional.

Goa’s smaller size facilitates the delivery of healthcare services across the region.

What causes some regions to fall behind?

States such as Bihar and Chhattisgarh (24-25) grapple with poverty, with numerous families residing far from medical facilities.

Northeastern states like Manipur and Meghalaya contend with challenging terrain, complicating access to clinics.

Union territories like Lakshadweep suffer from a shortage of doctors and healthcare facilities due to their small populations and isolated locations.

Why Are There Differences? Key Factors

Several elements clarify the significant variation in infant mortality rates across India in 2025:

Healthcare Access: Kerala boasts an infant mortality rate (IMR) of 6, attributed to its extensive network of health facilities, where 99% of births occur in hospitals (according to NFHS-5 data).

In contrast, Bihar has an IMR of 25, with only 76% of births taking place in medical facilities, and rural clinics frequently lack essential equipment such as incubators for premature infants.

Poverty and Nutrition: States with high poverty levels, such as Uttar Pradesh (IMR 23) and Madhya Pradesh (IMR 23), face challenges related to malnutrition.

Many mothers are unable to purchase nutritious food, resulting in undernourished infants who succumb to infections.

Conversely, more affluent states like Gujarat (IMR 16) offer superior food programs, contributing to a reduced IMR.

Education: With a literacy rate exceeding 80%, Tamil Nadu’s mothers are well-informed about breastfeeding and hygiene practices, which helps maintain an IMR of 13.

In contrast, Jharkhand, with a lower literacy rate of 66%, experiences higher mortality rates due to a lack of awareness regarding preventable health issues like diarrhea.

Geography: Isolated regions such as Ladakh (IMR 26) and Arunachal Pradesh (IMR 24) have limited hospital access, compounded by severe winter conditions that obstruct transportation.

Coastal regions like Kerala and Goa (IMR 15) encounter fewer obstacles, facilitating better access to healthcare services.

Government Programs: Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provide financial support to expectant mothers, encouraging hospital deliveries in states like Karnataka (IMR 17).

However, in Assam (IMR 24), these programs are less effective in reaching rural households, hindering advancements in reducing IMR.

Progress and Challenges

India has seen a decline in its Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), dropping from 28 in 2020 to an anticipated 23 by 2025, largely due to initiatives such as the National Health Mission.

Vaccination coverage has reached 77% among infants (NFHS-5), providing protection against diseases such as measles.

Programs like Ayushman Bharat support hospital expenses, enabling states like Delhi (12) to maintain a low IMR.

However, significant challenges persist.

In Bihar, one in four infants continues to face an elevated risk of death due to insufficient staffing in clinics. Meanwhile, in Lakshadweep, the absence of neonatal units means that even minor health issues can escalate into life-threatening situations.

The disparity between Kerala’s IMR of 6 and Lakshadweep’s 26 illustrates the uneven progress across regions. Southern states are ahead in healthcare improvements, having initiated reforms decades earlier.

In contrast, Empowered Action Group (EAG) states such as Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are falling behind due to poverty and inadequate infrastructure.

The northeastern states encounter distinct challenges, with tribal populations often located far from medical facilities.

Source

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. (2021). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21: India report. International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS).