NFHS-6 Survey Highlights Significant Improvement in Child Health, Nutrition and Vaccination Across India
India’s latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) has revealed major improvements in child health and nutrition indicators, with child stunting in India dropping below 30 per cent for the first time. The findings suggest that government efforts to combat child malnutrition, improve healthcare access and expand immunisation coverage are yielding measurable results.
According to the NFHS-6 survey, the prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age, a key indicator of long-term malnutrition and impaired growth, declined from 35.5 per cent in NFHS-5 to 29.3 per cent. The decline marks a significant milestone in India’s fight against childhood undernutrition and developmental challenges.
NFHS-6 Shows Decline in Child Malnutrition
The survey also recorded improvements in other key nutrition indicators. Severe wasting, which reflects acute malnutrition, dropped from 7.7 per cent to 5.2 per cent. Meanwhile, the percentage of underweight children saw a marginal decline from 32.1 per cent to 31.8 per cent.
Public health experts say these improvements indicate better access to nutrition programmes, maternal healthcare services and child welfare initiatives across the country.
Child Health Indicators Improve Across India
The NFHS-6 data also highlight gains in disease prevention among children. Symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) among children decreased from 2.8 per cent to 1.9 per cent, while the prevalence of severe diarrhoea fell to just 0.5 per cent.
The decline in common childhood illnesses points to improvements in sanitation, healthcare delivery and awareness among parents and caregivers.
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Immunisation Coverage Sees Significant Jump
One of the most notable findings of the National Family Health Survey-6 is the rise in full immunisation coverage among children aged 12-23 months. The rate increased from 83.8 per cent in NFHS-5 to 87.1 per cent in NFHS-6.
The survey further found that 95.6 per cent of children received most of their vaccines through public healthcare facilities, underscoring the critical role of government-run vaccination programmes in India.
Rotavirus Vaccine Coverage More Than Doubles
The sharpest increase was recorded in rotavirus vaccination coverage, which surged from 36.4 per cent to 85.4 per cent. Coverage of the second dose of the measles vaccine also rose significantly from 58.6 per cent to 71.8 per cent.
Health experts view the dramatic rise in vaccine coverage as one of the biggest public health successes highlighted by NFHS-6.
What the NFHS-6 Findings Mean
The latest NFHS-6 data suggest that India is making steady progress in improving child nutrition, reducing malnutrition and expanding immunisation coverage. However, experts caution that nearly one in three children remains stunted or underweight, indicating that continued investment in nutrition and healthcare programmes remains essential.
NFHS-6 Key Highlights
- Child stunting declined from 35.5% to 29.3%.
- Severe wasting reduced from 7.7% to 5.2%.
- Underweight prevalence fell from 32.1% to 31.8%.
- Acute respiratory infection symptoms declined from 2.8% to 1.9%.
- Severe diarrhoea prevalence dropped to 0.5%.
- Full immunisation coverage increased from 83.8% to 87.1%.
- Rotavirus vaccine coverage surged from 36.4% to 85.4%.
- Measles second-dose coverage rose from 58.6% to 71.8%.
Source: National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6)
