COVID-19 and mortality among infants: Evidence from India

Erdal Asker, Shatakshee Dhongde and Abu S. Shonchoy

Journal of Health Economics, 2025, vol. 101, issue C

Abstract: We present the first survey-based evidence on infant mortality in a developing country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing high-quality, nationally representative data from India, our analyses document a significant rise in mortality rates among infants during a six month period in 2020 covering the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown. The difference-in-differences estimates show that mortality among infants at ages 1, 3, and 6 months increased by about 9, 13, and 16 deaths per 1000 births, corresponding to an increase of 30, 42, and 44 percent, respectively. Since COVID-19 had minimal direct impact on infant mortality, our estimates likely capture some of the indirect effects on infant mortality through income shocks, reduced healthcare access, and behavioral changes such as avoidance of hospitals for maternal care during this period.

Keywords: COVID-19; India; Infant mortality; Lockdown; Pre-natal care; Child vac- cinations; Hospital births (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 J13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:101:y:2025:i:c:s0167629625000256

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2025.102991

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