House­hold Social Con­sump­tion: Health

Why in News?

The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released a report titled “Household Social Consumption: Health”. The survey on health was conducted during January-December, 2025 as part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS).

The Survey on Household Social Consumption: Health constitutes a significant source of empirical data to compile indicators on morbidity, hospitalisation, childbirth, and households’ out-of-pocket spending on medical and healthcare services in India.

The survey covers over 1.39 lakh households (both rural and urban) in India (except the villages in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

Key Findings of House­hold Social Con­sump­tion: Health

• Morbidity (Ailing Rate): Approximately 13.1% of the population reported illness (ailments) during the last 15-day period in 2025. The reported hospitalisation rate was higher in urban areas than in rural areas. 

• Disease Prevalence: Reporting of infectious diseases decreased in 2025 compared to the previous NSS survey (2017-18). Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and thyroid disorders showed an increase. 
• Childbirth & Maternal Health: 
  • Institutional deliveries accounted for nearly all births (about 96.2%) during the last 365-day period. A higher rate of institutional deliveries is observed in urban areas than in rural areas. 
  • Both rural and urban areas showed near-universal access to ante-natal care (98%). 
• Hospitalisation Expenditure: 
  • The estimated average out-of-pocket medical expenditure per hospitalisation case (excluding childbirth) during the last 365 days was about ₹34,064. 
  • Median out-of-pocket medical expenditure was about ₹11,285  in 2025 (Urban > Rural).

• Insurance Coverage: Government health insurance increased to 45.5% in rural areas and 31.8% in urban areas, compared to the NSS survey (2017-18). It is due to the rapid scal­ing­ up of gov­ern­ment-­fin­anced health insur­ance cov­er­age, includ­ing under the Ayush­man Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana, and vari­ous State schemes.

• Public Facility Utilisation: In rural areas, 35% of people used public health facilities for outpatient care (up from 28% in 2014).
• Concerns: High private-sector dependency remains, with nearly 58% of hospitalisations in rural areas and 65% in urban areas utilising private hospitals. 

Health­seek­ing beha­viour in India is improv­ing. This improve­ment has been attrib­uted to the expan­sion of com­pre­hens­ive primary health­care ser­vices, with an emphasis on pre­vent­ive, pro­mot­ive, and early dia­gnostic care, sup­por­ted by the avail­ab­il­ity of free drugs and dia­gnostics. 

Practice MCQ:

Q. With reference to the report “Household Social Consumption: Health” released by the National Statistical Office, consider the following statements:

1. Prevalence of infectious diseases has increased compared to 2017-18.

2. Institutional deliveries accounted for more than 95% of births. 

3. Public health facility usage in rural outpatient care has increased over time.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)    2 and 3 only

(b)    2 only

(c)    1 and 3 only

(d)    1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 

UPSC PYQ 2018

Q. As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements:

1.  Rajasthan has the highest percentage share of agricultural households among its rural households.

2. Out of the total agricultural households in the country, a little over 60 per cent belong to OBCs.

3.  In Kerala, a little over 60 per cent of agricultural households reported to have received maximum income from sources other than agricultural activities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)    2 and 3 only

(b)    2 only

(c)    1 and 3 only

(d)    1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 

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