Study Reveals Severe and Unequal Life Expectancy Declines in India Due to COVID-19

New research finds significant mortality increases among women, younger populations, and marginalized groups during the pandemic's first wave.

India experienced 1.19 million excess deaths in 2020, eight times the official COVID-19 toll.
Life expectancy dropped by 2.6 years overall, with women and marginalized groups suffering the most.
Muslims, Dalits, and tribespeople saw life expectancy declines of up to 5.4 years.
Mortality increases were particularly pronounced among younger age groups compared to high-income countries.
The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes.