Thiruvananthapuram, 10 July (H.S.): Muslims accounted for 46.14 per cent of all children born in Kerala in 2024, according to the State's Vital Statistics Report 2024, which also shows a continuing decline in birth rates across all communities and an increase in deaths among Hindus and Christians, resulting in negative natural population growth for both groups.

The report states that 344,766 children were born in Kerala during 2024. Of these, 46.14 per cent (159,088) were born to Muslim families, 39.49 per cent (136,163) to Hindu families and 14.06 per cent (48,476) to Christian families.

The report notes that while births exceed deaths among the Muslim community, both the Hindu and Christian communities recorded more deaths than births in 2024, leading to negative natural growth rates. It adds that Kerala's overall natural population growth remains positive primarily because births continue to outnumber deaths in the Muslim community.

Among the total deaths registered in 2024, 59.66 per cent were Hindus, 19.92 per cent Muslims, and 20.15 per cent Christians. The number of deaths stood at 187,079 among Hindus, 62,471 among Muslims and 63,172 among Christians.

The report also highlights a steady decline in births across all three communities over the past five years. Births among Hindus fell from 185,411 in 2020 to 136,163 in 2024. Muslim births declined from 196,138 to 159,088 during the same period, while Christian births decreased from 62,265 to 48,476.

At the same time, deaths have increased across communities. Hindu deaths rose from 146,424 in 2020 to 187,079 in 2024, Muslim deaths from 50,337 to 62,471, and Christian deaths from 48,815 to 63,172.

Kerala's crude birth rate declined further to 11.9 births per 1,000 population in 2024, down from 13.5 per 1,000 in 2023, reflecting the continuing fall in fertility across the State.

Birth registrations were highest in May, when 32,710 babies (9.49 per cent) were born, while the lowest numbers were recorded in November (26,492) and December (26,476), each accounting for 7.68 per cent of the annual total.

Of the total births, 175,052 were boys and 169,704 were girls. The sex ratio at birth improved from 966 girls per 1,000 boys in 2023 to 969 in 2024. An analysis of monthly data showed that the highest sex ratio at birth was recorded in June, while the lowest was reported in February. Among districts, Kannur recorded the highest sex ratio at birth and Kottayam the lowest.

The report also found that 98.33 per cent of all registered births took place in hospitals. In government hospitals, which recorded 93,776 deliveries, 55.34 per cent were normal deliveries and 42.43 per cent were Caesarean sections. Private hospitals accounted for 245,247 births, with 51.12 per cent normal deliveries and 44.44 per cent Caesarean sections. Normal deliveries outnumbered Caesarean births in both government and private healthcare institutions.

District-wise, Malappuram recorded the highest birth rate at 15.16 per 1,000 population, while Alappuzha registered the lowest at 5.28 per 1,000.

The report also noted an improvement in infant health indicators, with the infant mortality rate declining from 5.26 per 1,000 live births in 2023 to 5.03 in 2024.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman