Madhya Pradesh Records Third Highest Population Growth In India, Only Behind UP & Bihar

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the third fastest-growing state in the country in terms of population growth, according to the latest Sample Registration System (SRS) 2025 report released by the Registrar General of India earlier this month.

MP’s natural population growth rate — difference between birth and death rates — is 15.7, ranking it behind only Bihar (19.0) and Uttar Pradesh (17.8). The national average stands at 11.8.

A closer look reveals a rural growth rate of 17.3 and an urban rate of 11.2 for Madhya Pradesh, highlighting a sharper increase in the countryside.

The report, based on data from 2019–21, also shows MP has the third highest birth rate in India, with 23.8 live births per 1,000 people per year, higher than the national average of 19.3. Bihar tops the list with 25.6, followed by UP at 24.8. The rural birth rate in MP is 25.7, and the urban rate is 18.5.

In contrast, Kerala (12.9) and Tamil Nadu (13.4) have the lowest birth rates in the country.

On the other end of the spectrum, MP ranks eighth in death rate, with an overall figure of 8.1 deaths per 1,000 people per year — 8.4 in rural areas and 7.3 in urban areas. The national death rate is 7.5. Chhattisgarh (10.1), Kerala (9.0) and Karnataka and Gujarat (8.5) report higher death rates.

State in SRS 2025

* Natural Growth Rate: 15.7 (3rd highest in India)

* Birth Rate: 23.8 (Rural: 25.7 | Urban: 18.5)

* Death Rate: 8.1 (Rural: 8.4 | Urban: 7.3)

* National Growth Rate: 11.8

* National Birth Rate: 19.3

* National Death Rate: 7.5

* Rankings:3rd in population growth, 3rd in birth rate&8th in death rate