Institutional births doubled in 10 years; higher cost still a concern

Institutional deliveries, particularly in private sector facilities, increase with mother's education and the household wealth index

The percentage of institutional births in India has doubled from 38.7% to 78.9% in the decade to 2015-16, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4).

As many as 40% women who did not deliver in a health facility in the age group of 15-49 years did not consider it “necessary”, the data show.