Infant mortality rate rises in New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 3: The number of babies dying in their first year of birth has increased in the national capital in 2010 compared to the previous year. As per latest government statistics, the infant mortality rate per thousand live births in the national capital has increased to 22.47 in 2010 compared to 18.96 in 2009.

The increase in IMR has figured in the Delhi Government's annual statistical handbook released by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today. The average IMR in the city was 12.08 deaths per 1,000 children in 2005 which increased to 18 in the year 2006 and then to 25 next year.

In 2008, it was recorded at 18.38. The national average IMR is around 50. The birth rate per 1000 population was estimated at 21.73 as against 21.85 in 2009. The death rate per thousand population has also gone up to 7.52 in 2010 as against 6.90 in 2009. According to the data, Delhi's sex ratio -- females per thousand male -- has been estimated at 866 against the national average of 940. The sex ratio in Delhi was 821 in 2001.

PTI