Bengaluru records 18 births and 9 deaths every hour: City tops Karnataka in both life and loss

New data reveals Bengaluru Urban leads Karnataka in both births and deaths, reflecting the city’s dual challenge of rapid population growth and persistent urban health concerns.

Every few minutes, a new life begins in Bengaluru Urban, but the same city also records the highest mortality figures in Karnataka, underscoring the strain on its urban health infrastructure. According to the 2023 Vital Statistics of India, Bengaluru Urban registered 160,625 births, averaging 18 births per hour, making it the district with the highest number of births in the state.

The figures also show an almost equal split between urban and rural Bengaluru, with 77,715 births in the city area and 82,910 in nearby rural zones. Together, Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts accounted for nearly 17% of all births in Karnataka, highlighting the city’s central role in state-level maternal and neonatal health trends.

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In comparison, other large districts such as Kalaburagi (70,350 births), Belagavi (74,036), and Raichur (52,687) recorded significantly lower figures. Smaller districts like Hassan and Kodagu saw even fewer births.

However, Bengaluru’s growth comes with a sobering reality. The city recorded 79,385 deaths in 2023, the highest among all districts. On average, nine deaths occur every hour, reflecting Bengaluru’s dense population and urban health challenges. Other major districts like Mysuru, Dharwad, Tumakuru, and Belagavi reported lower numbers.

Infant mortality also remains a major concern. Out of Karnataka’s 8,490 infant deaths, 1,493 occurred in Bengaluru Urban, forming 18% of the state total. The high concentration of infant deaths in the city highlights the impact of population density, despite relatively better neonatal care compared to rural regions. Bengaluru records about four infant deaths daily, equal to one every six hours, a reminder of continuing gaps in neonatal and maternal healthcare.

When it comes to stillbirths, Karnataka registered 2,946 cases, with Bengaluru Urban contributing 1,408, slightly fewer than rural areas at 1,538. This reflects improved medical care in city hospitals but also underlines the volume of cases due to higher birth rates.

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Statewide, rural births made up 52% of all registrations, while urban births stood at 48%, showing an almost even divide. Stillbirths and infant deaths also displayed a slight rural predominance, though Bengaluru’s absolute numbers were higher due to its massive population.