Kathmandu. Four out of five Indians fear rising healthcare costs and inadequate insurance coverage in case of a major illness in the family.
According to the results of a February 2026 survey conducted by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance, about 82 percent of Indians have this fear. Rising pollution levels, poor health outcomes and the availability of adequate health insurance coverage are major concerns for most survey respondents.
The data collected in the survey were verified by Strategic Research Services. It maps perceptions of health, risk and financial security in urban and semi-urban households.
The Pan-India survey found that a majority of Indians consider healthcare costs to be a major threat to their financial future. That has raised deep concerns about medical costs, emergency preparedness and environmental health risks.
In the context of rising medical costs, respondents’ main concerns were hospital bills, treatment costs, and the cost of long-term medical care. Respondents’ primary concern is that rising healthcare costs will continue to be a significant and serious challenge in the future.
An equal percentage of respondents fear a sudden medical emergency. This suggests that health shock will no longer be seen as an occasional event. However, household budgets are seen as potential financial constraints that can strain them.
The results indicate that overall preparedness is weak despite increasing awareness about health risks and an increasing number of Indians buying health insurance. About 79 per cent of Indians are not sure whether their current insurance coverage will adequately protect them from serious illness.
This uncertainty means that many families may still rely on personal savings or emergency loans during a medical crisis, and long-term financial goals will be difficult to meet.
The survey found that 81 per cent of respondents believe pollution will continue to worsen, with many directly linking it to future medical costs and increased health risks. However, industry experts say many families will prefer preventive healthcare, insurance cover and medical savings. —Agency
