Front Cover PHOTO: © UNICEF/INDIA/Niklas Halle'n United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) May 2011 Permission is required to reproduce any part of this publication. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 73 Lodi Estate New Delhi - 110003 Email:
[email protected] Website: www.unicef.in The Situation of Children in India - A Profile
The Situation of Children in India A Profile
The Situation of Children in India - A Profile
Contents Foreword
1
Introduction
3
Child Mortality and Health
4
Child Malnutrition
6
Maternal Health
7
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
9
HIV/AIDS
12
Disparities and Inequalities (Child Survival and Development)
14
Child Education
20
Disparities and Inequalities in Education
23
Child Protection
28
Children Living in Urban Settings
37
Data Gaps on Children
39
Statistical Profiles of Children in States
41
Sources of Data and Notes for Statistical Profiles of States
43
Andhra Pradesh
45
Assam
48
Bihar
51
Chhattisgarh
54
Delhi
57
Gujarat
60
Haryana
63
Jharkhand
66
Karnataka
69
Kerala
72
Madhya Pradesh
75
Maharashtra
78
Orissa
81
Punjab
84
Rajasthan
87
Tamil Nadu
90
Uttar Pradesh
93
West Bengal
96
Notes and References
99
The Situation of Children in India - A Profile
Of Growth, Gains and Gaps The story of India is one of growth, gains and gaps. With an economy that is going from strength to strength, benefiting from the demographic dividend of a young and growing workforce, this largest democracy of the world is also home to the largest number of children in the world. With this growth come real gains for India’s children and women. Increased government allocations to social sector programmes in line with its commitment to inclusive growth, a progressive policy environment and slew of social protection schemes, and the strength of decentralised planning and governance through the Panchayati Raj system - all contributing to improving the lives of India’s children and women. But with nearly half a billion children in this country, a lot more remains to be done to ensure the survival, growth and development of India’s greatest asset: its children. Stubbornly high malnutrition rates, poor sanitation and persistent disparities between
states, social groups and the rich and the poor are just some of the obstacles we face in ensuring that every child is reached. The statistics in this publication tell the story of people’s lives. Behind each number is the story of a woman, a mother, an adolescent, a child. A story of the opportunities and the obstacles they face in accessing basic services and realising their rights in a way that is equitable and non-discriminatory. UNICEF is committed to ensuring that every child is reached and putting the last child first. This is our mission where success will not be claimed until there is real and lasting change for children, all children.
Karin Hulshof Representative, UNICEF India
1
The Situation of Children in India - A Profile
The Situation of Children in India A Profile Introduction India is home to the largest number of children in the world, significantly larger than the number in China.1 The
