66% of births in 2024 were first-borns; birth spacing for majority now 36 months

NEW DELHI: Nearly two-thirds of all live births in India - 66.4% - were first-born children, while the fourth child and births thereafter dwindled to barely 3.5%, shows the 2024 Sample Registration System Statistical Report.

66% of births in 2024 were first-borns; birth spacing for majority now 36 months. NEW DELHI: Nearly two-thirds of all live births in India - 66.4% - were first-born children, while the fourth child and births thereafter dwindled to barely 3.5%, shows the 2024 Sample Registration System Statistical Report. On birth spacing, a critical factor for maternal health and child development, the data shows that 53.5% of second or later births occurred 36 months or later after the previous birth. As per the 2024 data, nearly 23% births were second-order births, a term used to refer to second child, and 7.3% were third-order births. In terms of urban and rural trends, data shows that 65.4% live births were first-order births in rural India and this percentage was 69% for urban areas. Among bigger states and Union territories, Telangana has the highe...