India: health and care

What is the infant mortality rate in India?

India's infant mortality rate was 25 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, down from 44 in 2011, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation publication Children in India 2025, which uses Sample Registration System data. The under-five mortality rate in 2023 was 29 per 1,000.

The Sample Registration System, run by the Registrar General of India, is a large continuous survey of births and deaths, and is the official source for mortality rates between censuses. Rates differ widely between states and are higher in rural areas. SRS statistical reports are published with a lag of about two years.

Official sources: PIB: Release of Children in India 2025

What is the maternal mortality rate in India?

India's maternal mortality ratio was 93 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019-21, down from 130 in 2014-16, according to the Sample Registration System Special Bulletin on Maternal Mortality, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in May 2025.

The ratio counts deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end. Because these deaths are relatively rare, the SRS pools three years of data, so the latest figure covers 2019 to 2021. The ministry says eight states, including Kerala (20) and Maharashtra (38), had already reached the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 or below.

Official sources: PIB: Steady downward trend in maternal and child mortality

How many doctors are there in India?

There are 13,88,185 registered allopathic doctors and 7,51,768 registered AYUSH practitioners in India, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a reply published on 27 March 2026. The ministry estimates the doctor-population ratio at 1:811, assuming 80% of registered practitioners in both systems are available.

The counts come from the National Medical Commission and state medical councils, and registers can include doctors who have retired, moved abroad or died. The 1:811 ratio combines allopathic and AYUSH (traditional medicine) practitioners. Staffing in public health facilities is published separately in the annual Health Dynamics of India.

Official sources: PIB: Measures taken to Increase Availability of Doctors

How many people are covered by Ayushman Bharat?

Over 48.51 crore people held Ayushman cards on 21 September 2026, about 33% of India's population, according to a Press Information Bureau explainer marking the eighth anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The scheme had funded 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth ₹2.03 lakh crore.

PM-JAY offers health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospital care at empanelled public and private hospitals. Having a card means a person has been verified as eligible; it does not mean they have used the scheme. Figures are cumulative since the launch in September 2018. The National Health Authority runs the scheme.

Official sources: PIB: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY at eight

How much do Indians pay for health care out of pocket?

Out-of-pocket spending by households was 43.4% of India's total health expenditure in 2022-23, down from 64.2% in 2013-14, according to the National Health Accounts Estimates for India 2022-23, released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 27 May 2026. Government health expenditure rose to 43.7% of the total and 1.43% of GDP.

Out-of-pocket spending is money paid directly by patients at the point of care, such as doctors' fees and medicines, net of insurance reimbursements. The National Health Accounts follow the international System of Health Accounts 2011. The share dipped in 2021-22, when government spending rose during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Official sources: PIB: National Health Accounts Estimates for India 2022-23

What is the average life expectancy in India?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in India was 72.2 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 5th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 74.1 years. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 115th highest.

What is the infant mortality rate in India?

The latest figure from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, for 2024, is 23.3 per 1,000. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across South Asia the middle value was 17.9 per 1,000, and India placed 2nd highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 61st of 192.

What is maternal mortality in India?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in India was 80.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 63.5 per 100,000, and India placed 3rd highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 73rd of 192.

What is India's health spending?

The WHO puts current health spending in India at 3.3% of GDP in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.9% of GDP (2018) to 3.9% of GDP (2005). South Asia median: 4.0% of GDP; India is 5th highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 169th of 191.

How much of health care in India do patients pay for?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 43.9%. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 4th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 49.3%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 47th highest.

How many doctors per person does India have?

In 2020, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in India was 0.72 per 1,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 0.89 per 1,000 in 2019 and the low 0.71 per 1,000 in 2014. South Asia median: 0.72 per 1,000; India is 3rd highest of 5. Worldwide: 97th of 136.

How many hospital beds does India have?

In 2021, hospital beds per 1,000 people in India was 1.6 per 1,000, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 4th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 1.9 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 90th of 124.

How many children in India are vaccinated against measles?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in India at 97.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 97.0%, and India placed 3rd highest of 6. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 31st highest.