Abstract

Based on the estimates of infant mortality rate available through the sample registration system, this paper measures levels and analyses trends in inter-state inequality in the probability of death during infancy in India by rural and urban residence for the period 1981 through 2000. The analysis reveals that with the declining levels of infant mortality, the absolute inter-state inequality in the probability of death during infancy has also decreased for the country and for its rural and urban populations. In terms of relative inter-state inequality, however, the declining trend in inequality could be observed in rural areas only; in urban India, the relative inter-state inequality in infant mortality has tended to increase during the 20 years under reference. There is a need of a community based public health services delivery network in the urban areas to address the increase or stagnation in relative inter-state inequality in urban infant mortality rate in India.

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