Over 23% children in 0-5 age group stunted in state
Children in the 0-5 age group in Haryana have reported a higher rate of stunting (low height-for-age) and wasting (low weight-for-height) compared to the neighbouring states, including Punjab, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. Additionally, a higher percentage of children are also classified as underweight (having a low weight for their age).
Data shared by Minister of State for Women and Child Development in Rajya Sabha
Stunting, wasting, and underweight are indicators of malnutrition. According to data shared by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur — in response to a question from MP Saket Gokhale in the Rajya Sabha today — Haryana recorded 23.41% stunted children, 3.83% wasted, and 7.85% underweight children in the 0-5 years age group.
The data has been collected from the ‘Poshan Tracker’ and pertains to June 2025.
Punjab recorded 17.14% stunted children, 2.95% wasted, and 5.12% underweight; Himachal 19.68% stunted children, 2.41% wasted, and 6.88% underweight; J&K 15.94% stunted children, 1.55% wasted, and 4.05% underweight; Ladakh 12.28% stunted children, 0.25% wasted, and 1.98% underweight.
Chandigarh (UT) had a lower rate of stunted children (22.27%) than Haryana, but recorded a higher rate in wasted (5.34%) and underweight children (14.69%).
The ‘Poshan Tracker’ facilitates monitoring and tracking of all Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), anganwadi workers (AWWs), and beneficiaries on defined indicators. The tracker is being leveraged for the dynamic identification of stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence among children. It has facilitated near real-time data collection for anganwadi services, including daily attendance, provision of Hot Cooked Meal (HCM)/Take Home Ration (THR—not raw ration), growth measurement, etc., said the minister in response to another question from MP Sunetra Ajit Pawar.
“Nutritional status among migrants coming from neighbouring states in Haryana is lower. They are poor. Due to an increase in urbanisation in the state, the influx of migrants has also increased. They are also unable to access government intervention programmes for various reasons. It is one of the biggest reasons for high malnutrition in the state,” said Health Economist Prof Aswini Kumar Nanda, who works as Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Central University of Jammu.
Neonatal mortality
The Neonatal Mortality Rate is the number of infant deaths of less than 29 days old in a year per 1,000 live births. The minister informed that as per the Sample Registration System (SRS) Report-2022 (based on three years, 2020-22) of the Registrar General of India, the neonatal mortality rate in Haryana was 18, while Punjab (12), HP (12), and J&K (10) had a lower rate.
Kerala had the lowest rate at five, while Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest at 29.
Early childhood mortality
The Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) indicates the probability of a child dying before their fifth birthday, expressed as the number of deaths per 1,000 live births. The minister said according to the Sample Registration System report, the U5MR in Haryana was 31, implying that of every 1,000 live births, 31 children died before reaching the age of five.
HP (22), J&K (17), and Punjab (19) had recorded lower rates. The U5MR ranged from nine in Kerala — the lowest — to 47 in Madhya Pradesh — the highest.
Influx of migrants a factor
“Due to an increase in urbanisation in the state, the influx of migrants has also increased. They are unable to access government intervention programmes. It is one of the biggest reasons for high malnutrition in the state.” — Prof Aswini Kumar Nanda, health economist
Haryana Tribune