New Delhi, April 20 (NationPress) A recent government survey reveals a significant growth in health insurance coverage throughout India, comparing data from 2017–18 (approximately 14% in rural areas and 19% in urban areas) to 2025 (around 47% in rural and 44% in urban).

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) published these findings in their health survey titled ‘Household Social Consumption: Health’, conducted from January to December 2025.

The data indicates that the average out-of-pocket medical expenses per hospitalization (excluding childbirth) over the past year stood at approximately Rs 34,064 (with Rs 31,484 in rural and Rs 38,688 in urban). The median out-of-pocket expenses were around Rs 11,285 (with Rs 10,500 in rural and Rs 12,400 in urban).

The survey also noted that in public hospitals, the average expense per hospitalization case (excluding childbirth) across the nation was about Rs 6,631, with half of those treated in public institutions spending Rs 1,100 or less.

For out-patient care in the last 15 days, the average out-of-pocket expenditure in India was estimated at Rs 861 (with Rs 847 in rural and Rs 884 in urban), while the median was about Rs 400 (approx. Rs 395 in rural and Rs 420 in urban).

The average cost per out-patient visit in public hospitals during the last 15 days was around Rs 289, and the median was noted at Rs 0, suggesting that half of the treatments received in public hospitals were provided at no cost.

Additionally, the average out-of-pocket medical expense per childbirth in the past year was about Rs 2,299 in public hospitals, whereas the overall average across all facilities was around Rs 14,775. The median childbirth expense in public hospitals was Rs 801, less than one-third of the median cost in all hospitals, which was Rs 2,851.

The survey further highlighted that 13.1% of individuals reported experiencing illness (identified as ailing) in the 15 days prior to the survey, with urban dwellers (14.9%) slightly more likely to report illness than those in rural areas (12.2%).

The highest incidence of illness was recorded in individuals aged 60 years and older (43.9%), followed by those aged 45–59 years (22.5%) and children aged 0–4 years (9.9%).

Infections and respiratory issues were the most commonly reported health concerns during childhood and adolescence, while psychiatric/neurological and gastrointestinal conditions were most prevalent among young adults. The report further noted that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular issues (hypertension) and endocrine/metabolic disorders (diabetes) were frequently reported after the age of 30.