The Union Health Ministry has released the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India report, highlighting a significant increase in government spending on healthcare and a steady decline in out-of-pocket expenditure over the past decade. The report, prepared by the National Health Accounts Technical Secretariat (NHATS) under the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), uses the System of Health Accounts (SHA 2011) framework.
The findings of the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India underline the government’s continued focus on strengthening public investment in the health sector and improving financial protection for citizens.
Rise in Government Health Expenditure
According to the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India report, Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as a share of GDP has increased from 1.15% in 2013–14 to 1.43% in 2022–23. Based on the new GDP series (base year 2022–23), it stands at 1.48%.
The report also shows that GHE as a share of General Government Expenditure (GGE) has risen from 3.78% to 4.89% during the same period. This reflects a growing priority for healthcare in public spending, as highlighted in the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India findings.
Per Capita Health Spending Rises Significantly
The National Health Accounts 2022-23 India data reveals that per capita government health expenditure has increased nearly 2.7 times—from ₹1,042 in 2013–14 to ₹2,786 in 2022–23—indicating stronger investment in healthcare infrastructure and services.
Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure
A key highlight of the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India report is the sharp decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE). It has fallen from 64.2% of Total Health Expenditure (THE) in 2013–14 to 43.4% in 2022–23, significantly reducing the financial burden on households.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, government health spending rose sharply, reaching 1.84% of GDP in 2021–22 due to emergency response measures, vaccination drives, and health infrastructure support, as noted in the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India report.
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Increased Share of Public and Social Health Spending
The report shows that Government Health Expenditure’s share in Total Health Expenditure has increased from 28.6% to 43.7% over the decade. This shift, as highlighted in the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India, reflects stronger public financing and progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Social Security Expenditure in healthcare has also increased from 6% to 9.9%, driven by schemes such as AB PM-JAY, medical reimbursements, and social health insurance programmes.
Private Insurance and Health Awareness
The National Health Accounts 2022-23 India report also notes an increase in private health insurance share from 3.4% to 9.2%, indicating rising awareness, improved health-seeking behaviour, and increased purchasing power among citizens.
Overall, the National Health Accounts 2022-23 India report highlights a clear positive trend in public health financing, reduced financial burden on households, and stronger progress toward equitable and accessible healthcare across the country.