NSO Survey findings on Health Parameters
Context:
The National Statistical Office (NSO) recently released findings from the 80th round of its household consumption health survey conducted between January and December 2025.
The data paints a complex picture of India's healthcare landscape, showing significant increases in health insurance coverage alongside a simultaneous rise in out-of-pocket medical expenditures and a shift towards private healthcare providers.
Findings from the NSO Survey:
Increased Insurance Coverage:
The percentage of the population covered under government health finance and insurance schemes (GFHI), such as PMJAY, has surged dramatically.
In rural areas, coverage increased from 12.9% in 2017-18 to 45.5% in 2025.
In urban areas, it rose from 8.9% to 31.8%.
Improved Health-Seeking Behaviour:
The proportion of the population reporting ailments (PPRA) nearly doubled between 2017-18 and 2025.
In rural areas, it rose to 12.2% (from 6.8%), and in urban areas, it increased to 14.9% (from 9.1%).
Utilisation of Public Facilities:
Public healthcare utilisation for outpatient care in rural areas strengthened slightly, rising from 33% to 35%, driven by the expansion of comprehensive primary healthcare services and free drugs/diagnostics.
Furthermore, institutional deliveries reached 95.6% in rural areas and 97.8% in urban areas.
Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE):
Despite increased insurance coverage, OOPE on hospitalisation has more than doubled in both rural and urban areas since 2017-18.
The NSO notes the median OOPE per hospitalisation case in 2025 was ₹11,285, but acknowledges a small number of high-cost cases push up the overall average.
Average hospitalisation expenses in private hospitals have spiked by 70% in rural areas and 80% in urban areas.
The Paradox of Care:
Analysts point out that increased insurance has not translated into significantly higher overall hospitalisation rates (which remain below 2014 levels).
Instead, there is a clear shift away from public institutions towards private care for hospitalisation.
Alarmingly, data suggests GFHI schemes disproportionately benefit the relatively better-off, with only 13% of urban hospitalisation users belonging to the poorest class.