What is infant mortality rate in India according to census?

According to the latest census reports from 2009, the infant mortality rate in India is 30.15 deaths per 1,000 live births. As high as this rate seems, it has been on a slight decline in the last century. India is a massive country with one of the world's largest populations and while it has modern cities, it also is home to hundreds of ethnic groups that live in varying degrees of poverty. 

• Infant mortality
  

To further to break down the infant mortality numbers, of boys that are born in India, the mortality rate for them is 34.61 per 1,000 live births according to 2009 census data. Girls on the other hand, had a infant mortality rate of 25.17 per 1,000 live births. 

• Why so high?

Much of this can be attributed to the fact that India is so diverse with parts that have modern facilities such as hospitals and clinics, while other parts are not nearly as developed and child births are handled by a member of the family or a mid-wife. 

The government of the country is currently trying its best to upgrade its infrastructure in order to improve this rather poor infant mortality rate. New roads, more hospitals, and better water and sewer facilities will all go a long way in improving this rate over the next several years. Expect the rates to remain the same for the foreseeable future until these changes can take place. Look for the infrastructure changes to have a positive effect on infant mortality rates for boys and girls in the next twenty to thirty years. 

India is a country of contrasts, with very wealthy people along with very poor people. Until the infrastructure of the country is improved drastically, the infant mortality rates will remain high in both boys and girls.