Delhi saw decline in birth rate post-COVID-19, down from 18.35 to 14.85 per 1000

Delhi experienced a notable decline in its birth rate following the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping from 18.35 per 1,000 population in 2019 to 14.85 in 2020, according to the latest government report. The 'Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi-2023' highlights these changes and provides additional insights into the trends in birth registration and institutional births.

Trends in Birth Rates and Institutional Births

The report reveals a steady decrease in birth rates from 18.35 per 1,000 population in 2019 to 14.66 in 2023. Over the same period, the proportion of institutional births has risen dramatically. In 2023, medical institutions accounted for over 95% of total births, up from 73.72% in 2005. Of the 301,168 institutional births recorded in 2023, 64.56% occurred in government hospitals, and 47.78% of these births were female.

Regional and Reporting Insights

In 2023, 86.06% of births were registered with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), while 12.86% were registered with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The Delhi Cantonment Board accounted for just 1.08% of registrations. The data also reveals that 86.21% of births were urban, compared to 13.79% rural. The report notes ongoing issues with the regular reporting of stillbirths by hospitals and institutions, urging timely and complete reporting within the stipulated 21 days.

Death Registration and Statistics

The ratio of institutional to domiciliary death events in 2023 was 67:33, with non-institutional events decreasing from 36.28% in 2022 to 33.06%. Out of the total 132,391 deaths registered in 2023, 7,439 were infant deaths.