Health cover, welfare drive India’s social gains: National Family and Health Survey
The latest National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-6) reveals significant social gains in India, particularly in health coverage and welfare initiatives. Institutional deliveries have risen dramatically, and the total fertility rate has stabilized at replacement level. However, challenges remain in child nutrition and the rising burden of lifestyle diseases as the population ages.
- ▪Institutional deliveries increased from 25.5% in NFHS-1 to 90.6% in NFHS-6.
- ▪India's total fertility rate has remained stable at 2 since NFHS-5.
- ▪The share of underweight children decreased from 53.4% to 31.8% between NFHS-1 and NFHS-6.
- ▪The proportion of overweight individuals has risen, with nearly 30% of men and women classified as overweight in 2023-24.
- ▪Households with health insurance coverage increased from 41% in 2019-21 to 60% in 2023-24.
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Health cover, welfare drive India’s social gains: National Family and Health SurveyThat’s the message from the results of the latest NFHS –– the sixth round, conducted in 2023-24 –– released by the ministry of health and family welfare.Published on: May 30, 2026 6:22 AM ISTBy Roshan Kishore, Abhishek Jha, New DelhiShare viaCopy link India’s impressive economic growth, and the revenue cushion it has generated over the past three-and-a-half decades have allowed it to surmount some of the most acute social sector challenges, and it no longer has to worry about population growth which is already on a declining trajectory.The findings also highlight the success of government programmes –– such as those in the areas of financial inclusion and health insurance.
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