India’s crude death rate falls over decade, but Punjab’s increases

Chandigarh: India's average crude death rate (CDR) declined over the past decade, but Punjab bucked the trend, recording the sharpest increase among bigger states and Union territories, according to the Sample Registration System Statistical Report 2024.The report also showed that more than four in every 10 deaths in Punjab occurred without medical attention or under untrained functionaries.The CDR, which measures deaths per 1,000 population annually, rose in Punjab from 6.6 in 2012-14 to 7.6 in 2022-24 — an increase of 15.2%. In contrast, India's average CDR declined from 6.9 to 6.5 during the same period.Punjab already has a higher elderly population than the national average, with people aged 60 years and above accounting for 11.8% of the population against India's 9.7%, making healthcare access and geriatric care key concerns.The increase in Punjab's death rate was visible in both rural and urban areas. Rural Punjab's CDR rose from 7.4 to 8.5, while urban Punjab saw a steeper jump from 5.4 to 6.4.Punjab's overall CDR in 2024 stood at 7.1, higher than the national average of 6.4. Among males, the state recorded a CDR of 7.9 against India's 7.1, while among females it stood at 6.2 against the national average of 5.6.The report also highlighted medical attention received before death. In Punjab, 24.9% of deaths received treatment at govt hospitals and 23.5% at private hospitals. However, 42.4% of deaths occurred without medical attention or under untrained functionaries and others.In rural Punjab, the share stood at 43.2%, while urban Punjab recorded 40.8%, higher than the national urban average of 36.1%.Haryana and Himachal Pradesh showed similar trends. Haryana reported 42.8% of deaths under untrained functionaries and others, while Himachal Pradesh recorded an even higher figure of 49.2%.