NFHS – India Records Broad Health Gains as New Survey Data Emerges

NFHS – India has moved closer to achieving near-universal institutional childbirth, according to the latest findings of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) released on Friday. The survey shows that births taking place in healthcare facilities increased from 88.6 percent during 2019-21 to 90.6 percent in 2023-24. The nationwide study, covering nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts, highlights progress in several health and nutrition indicators while also pointing to areas that continue to require attention.

Rise in Caesarean Deliveries

One of the most notable trends in the survey is the sharp increase in Caesarean section deliveries. The share of births conducted through C-section rose from 21.5 percent to 27.2 percent over the survey period. Urban regions reported a significantly higher rate, with 40.5 percent of deliveries taking place through surgical intervention, compared with 22.8 percent in rural areas.

Private healthcare facilities recorded the highest prevalence of C-sections, where more than half of all deliveries were performed through the procedure. Public hospitals also witnessed a moderate rise in surgical births compared with previous survey findings.

Women’s Financial Inclusion Improves

The report highlights substantial improvements in women’s access to financial and digital resources. Internet usage among women nearly doubled during the period, while ownership of bank accounts and personal mobile phones also increased considerably. These developments indicate growing economic participation and greater access to information.

Despite these gains, early marriage remains a concern. Among women aged 20 to 24 years, the proportion who married before turning 18 declined only slightly. Rural areas continued to report a much higher incidence of child marriage compared with urban centres.

Teenage Motherhood and Safety Indicators

The survey found little change in the percentage of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey. Rural communities continued to report higher levels of teenage pregnancy than urban areas.

At the same time, encouraging progress was observed in measures related to women’s safety. Cases of spousal violence among ever-married women aged 18 to 49 declined noticeably compared with the previous survey. Reports of physical violence during pregnancy also fell slightly. Similarly, the proportion of young women who experienced sexual violence before the age of 18 showed a decline, although rural areas continued to report higher levels than cities.

Obesity Becomes a Growing Concern

While tobacco and alcohol consumption remained more common among men, the survey identified increasing levels of overweight and obesity among both genders. More than 30 percent of women were classified as overweight or obese, compared with just under 28 percent of men.

Urban residents showed considerably higher obesity levels than their rural counterparts. The data suggests that lifestyle-related health issues are becoming a growing challenge across the country, particularly in cities.

Child Nutrition and Feeding Practices

Several child health indicators registered improvement. Stunting among children under five years of age declined significantly, while severe wasting also showed a meaningful reduction. However, the decline in the proportion of underweight children was relatively small.

Feeding practices improved in some areas. More infants aged six to eight months received complementary foods alongside breastfeeding. Early breastfeeding within one hour of birth also increased substantially.

However, exclusive breastfeeding among infants below six months of age declined compared with previous survey findings, indicating a potential area for policy attention and public awareness efforts.

Maternal Care and Immunisation Progress

The survey recorded strong performance in maternal healthcare services. A large majority of pregnant women received antenatal care, while early registration and regular check-ups during pregnancy became more common. Attendance by skilled health personnel during childbirth also improved, as did postnatal care for newborns within the first two days after delivery.

Maternal nutrition indicators showed encouraging gains. More women reported consuming iron and folic acid supplements for recommended durations during pregnancy.

India also continued to advance towards wider immunisation coverage. Full vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months increased, with public health facilities providing the majority of vaccinations. Coverage of rotavirus vaccines and the second dose of measles-containing vaccines registered particularly strong growth.

Fertility and Child Health Trends

The country’s Total Fertility Rate remained stable at 2.0, while the use of contraceptive methods increased. Child health outcomes also improved, with fewer reported cases of acute respiratory infections and severe diarrhoea among children.

Overall, NFHS-6 presents a picture of gradual but consistent progress across multiple health and welfare indicators. While improvements in maternal care, immunisation, nutrition and women’s empowerment stand out, challenges such as rising C-section rates, obesity, early marriage and declining exclusive breastfeeding continue to demand focused policy attention.