A new survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO) reveals that the cost of childbirth in Punjab is nearly 50 percent higher than the national average. The survey, titled 'Survey on Household Social Consumption: Health', conducted from January to December 2025, shows that families in the agrarian border state continue to bear a heavy out-of-pocket healthcare burden across various treatments.
Hospitalisation Costs in Punjab
The average out-of-pocket medical expenditure per hospitalisation case in Punjab was Rs 35,703, slightly higher than the all-India average of Rs 34,064. The burden is particularly visible in the private sector, where a stay costs Rs 45,080 on average. In public hospitals in rural areas, the cost is Rs 15,464, more than twice the national average of Rs 6,905.
Outpatient Care and Routine Illnesses
For routine illnesses that do not require hospitalisation, households in Punjab spend Rs 1,158 per treated ailment, compared to Rs 884 at the national level. The pattern extends to outpatient care: in rural areas, 53.7 percent of patients rely on private providers versus 15.8 percent on government facilities. In urban areas, 47.7 percent seek care from private doctors or clinics and 37.9 percent from private hospitals.
Childbirth and Delivery Expenses
The survey showed that the average out-of-pocket expenditure on institutional deliveries was Rs 21,826, compared to the national average of Rs 14,775. In Punjab, people in rural areas spend Rs 4,837 in public hospitals and Rs 4,404 in urban areas, against the national averages of Rs 2,189 and Rs 2,747, respectively.
Total Expenditure Including Non-Medical Costs
When all expenses are combined, including non-medical costs such as transport and food, the average total expenditure per hospitalisation in Punjab reaches Rs 42,319, marginally above the national average of Rs 41,463. The state's average medical expenditure is Rs 39,793 and the average non-medical expenditure is Rs 2,526.
Private Healthcare Dominance
In Punjab, private healthcare dominates. About 65.9 percent of rural hospitalisations and over 71 percent in urban areas take place in private hospitals, compared to 31.3 percent and 23.1 percent, respectively, in public facilities. Healthcare demand remains high: around 14.4 percent of Punjab's population reported ailments over a 15-day period, above the national average of 13.1 percent. Among those aged 60 and above, over 42 percent reported health issues, indicating rising needs with ageing. Hospitalisation rates are also higher, with 35 cases per 1,000 persons annually, compared to 28 in Haryana and 29 nationally.
Comparison with Neighbouring States
Costs vary across neighbouring states. Average out-of-pocket expenditure per hospitalisation is Rs 33,713 in Haryana and Rs 18,814 in Himachal Pradesh, where over 68 percent of rural patients use government hospitals, helping keep costs lower.
Expert Commentary
Dr Vitull K Gupta, chairman of the Association of Physicians of India, said, 'Punjab's higher healthcare spending is closely linked to its reliance on private providers and relatively higher costs even in public facilities. For households, this translates into a significant financial burden, especially for hospitalisation or long-term treatment.' He noted that insurance has not substantially reduced out-of-pocket costs or ensured equitable access, instead contributing to rising treatment costs, over-prescription and unnecessary investigations. 'Healthcare is increasingly being treated as a commodity rather than a service,' he added. Dr Gupta called for higher public investment, suggesting health spending be raised to at least 3.5 percent of GDP to strengthen public systems and restore trust. He cautioned that growing corporatisation has shifted healthcare from welfare to profit, further increasing out-of-pocket expenditure.
