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How does stunting affect children across different income groups in the country? Read Nileena Suresh’s analysis to find out: www.dataforindia.com/child-stunti...
Child stunting in India
Indian children are among the shortest in the world. While the rates of child stunting have declined over time, a substantial share of Indian children, especially in poorer states and among marginalis...
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November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
How does stunting affect children across different income groups in the country? Read Nileena Suresh’s analysis to find out: www.dataforindia.com/child-stunti...
However, research suggests that the high rates of stunting in India reflect a combination of multiple underlying factors, rather than just issues with the standards themselves.
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
However, research suggests that the high rates of stunting in India reflect a combination of multiple underlying factors, rather than just issues with the standards themselves.
These persistently high rates of stunting in India despite economic growth have led to some debate around the WHO's international growth standards.
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
These persistently high rates of stunting in India despite economic growth have led to some debate around the WHO's international growth standards.
Even though child stunting is less prevalent in richer states like Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, about a quarter of children are stunted in these states as well. These are similar to levels seen in countries like South Africa, Myanmar and Malaysia.
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Even though child stunting is less prevalent in richer states like Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, about a quarter of children are stunted in these states as well. These are similar to levels seen in countries like South Africa, Myanmar and Malaysia.
Among Indian states, the rates of stunting are highest in the poorest states - Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand where about two in five children are stunted. These figures are comparable to some of the worst ranking countries globally, like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Among Indian states, the rates of stunting are highest in the poorest states - Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand where about two in five children are stunted. These figures are comparable to some of the worst ranking countries globally, like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
A child is considered stunted if their height is significantly lower than the average for children of the same age and gender, using World Health Organization growth standards. Child stunting can have significant long-term effects on physical and cognitive abilities.
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
A child is considered stunted if their height is significantly lower than the average for children of the same age and gender, using World Health Organization growth standards. Child stunting can have significant long-term effects on physical and cognitive abilities.
More than a third of Indian children under the age of five, or nearly 36%, are stunted. The most recent data on child heights in India comes from the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey 5.
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
More than a third of Indian children under the age of five, or nearly 36%, are stunted. The most recent data on child heights in India comes from the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey 5.
What kind of toilet facilities do Indian households have access to? Read Nileena Suresh’s piece to find out: www.dataforindia.com/sanitation/?...
Access to toilets in India
India has made major strides in improving sanitation, but one in four rural households still does not have access to toilets.
www.dataforindia.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
What kind of toilet facilities do Indian households have access to? Read Nileena Suresh’s piece to find out: www.dataforindia.com/sanitation/?...
The poorest households across both rural and urban India had higher shared toilets usage. About one in three of the poorest households in urban India relied on shared toilet facilities, compared to under one in seven households in rural India.
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The poorest households across both rural and urban India had higher shared toilets usage. About one in three of the poorest households in urban India relied on shared toilet facilities, compared to under one in seven households in rural India.
The extent of sharing was also higher in urban settings, where over half of shared facilities were used by three or more households, and 16% served ten or more households. In rural areas, by contrast, shared facilities were less common.
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
The extent of sharing was also higher in urban settings, where over half of shared facilities were used by three or more households, and 16% served ten or more households. In rural areas, by contrast, shared facilities were less common.
Although urban households generally had better access to toilets, shared usage was quite common, with 12% of urban households sharing toilet facilities.
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Although urban households generally had better access to toilets, shared usage was quite common, with 12% of urban households sharing toilet facilities.
However, exclusive access to facilities is crucial for sanitation quality. Under SDG 6.2, facilities shared with other households are classified as "limited" sanitation service.
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
However, exclusive access to facilities is crucial for sanitation quality. Under SDG 6.2, facilities shared with other households are classified as "limited" sanitation service.
According to the survey, over nine in ten households in urban India used a toilet facility, compared to seven in ten households in rural India.
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
According to the survey, over nine in ten households in urban India used a toilet facility, compared to seven in ten households in rural India.
Administrative data from the Indian government captures the number of toilets built. However, to understand actual usage rather than just access, we look to the most recent data on toilet usage from the 2021 National Family Health Survey.
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Administrative data from the Indian government captures the number of toilets built. However, to understand actual usage rather than just access, we look to the most recent data on toilet usage from the 2021 National Family Health Survey.
You can learn more about the other big shifts in Rukmini’s anniversary edition. And if you haven't already, subscribe to join us for the second year of “The Big Shift” journey.
www.dataforindia.com/email/f62633...
www.dataforindia.com/email/f62633...
One year of tracking a changing India | The Big Shift
Data For India’s subscriber only newsletter, delivering data informed stories about India’s long term transformation, right to you inbox.
www.dataforindia.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
You can learn more about the other big shifts in Rukmini’s anniversary edition. And if you haven't already, subscribe to join us for the second year of “The Big Shift” journey.
www.dataforindia.com/email/f62633...
www.dataforindia.com/email/f62633...
"But how precisely that mix will finally look is still evolving, and its ramifications not just on the economy and on labour markets, but also on demographics, social fabric and culture is still something of an unknown.”
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
"But how precisely that mix will finally look is still evolving, and its ramifications not just on the economy and on labour markets, but also on demographics, social fabric and culture is still something of an unknown.”
"Undoubtedly, Indian workers are over time leaving the land, and the economy is increasingly powered by services," we wrote.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
"Undoubtedly, Indian workers are over time leaving the land, and the economy is increasingly powered by services," we wrote.
3 — A generational transformation of India's economy
Early on, we looked at this fundamental transformation of the Indian economy-from largely agrarian to predominantly service-driven, with a worrying stagnation in manufacturing.
Early on, we looked at this fundamental transformation of the Indian economy-from largely agrarian to predominantly service-driven, with a worrying stagnation in manufacturing.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
3 — A generational transformation of India's economy
Early on, we looked at this fundamental transformation of the Indian economy-from largely agrarian to predominantly service-driven, with a worrying stagnation in manufacturing.
Early on, we looked at this fundamental transformation of the Indian economy-from largely agrarian to predominantly service-driven, with a worrying stagnation in manufacturing.
The rates of stunting in India are higher than expected, higher than in some comparable countries, and far higher than we as a country might want to accept for our children.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
The rates of stunting in India are higher than expected, higher than in some comparable countries, and far higher than we as a country might want to accept for our children.
2 — Enduring puzzles in India's health
In May this year, we explored India’s child stunting data, and how despite the fact that growth and development in a country or group reduce the levels of child stunting, they're not enough.
In May this year, we explored India’s child stunting data, and how despite the fact that growth and development in a country or group reduce the levels of child stunting, they're not enough.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
2 — Enduring puzzles in India's health
In May this year, we explored India’s child stunting data, and how despite the fact that growth and development in a country or group reduce the levels of child stunting, they're not enough.
In May this year, we explored India’s child stunting data, and how despite the fact that growth and development in a country or group reduce the levels of child stunting, they're not enough.
"As India ages, more people are dying every year, but they're not dying young. Over time, the burden of mortality shifts away from the youngest Indians to the oldest Indians.”
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
"As India ages, more people are dying every year, but they're not dying young. Over time, the burden of mortality shifts away from the youngest Indians to the oldest Indians.”
1 — A fundamental realignment of India's population
In the second edition, back in November 2024, we looked at this striking chart on the falling risk of childhood mortality in India
In the second edition, back in November 2024, we looked at this striking chart on the falling risk of childhood mortality in India
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
1 — A fundamental realignment of India's population
In the second edition, back in November 2024, we looked at this striking chart on the falling risk of childhood mortality in India
In the second edition, back in November 2024, we looked at this striking chart on the falling risk of childhood mortality in India
On its first anniversary, Rukmini takes stock of five big changes that the newsletter picked up on this year, and reflects on what, taken together, they mean for the way India is moving.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 AM
On its first anniversary, Rukmini takes stock of five big changes that the newsletter picked up on this year, and reflects on what, taken together, they mean for the way India is moving.