Summary of this article
Insured Indians scored higher wellbeing, while North India recorded the strongest overall health index.
High premiums and confusing plans remain key barriers to buying health insurance coverage.
Younger Indians faced greater stress, with financial pressures significantly affecting overall wellbeing.
Health insurance coverage is linked with higher overall well-being scores among urban Indians, according to the ManipalCigna India Health Quotient (IHQ) 2026, which surveyed urban Indians across 16 cities.
The study found that insured Indians scored 68 out of 100 on the Health Quotient index, while those without health insurance scored 62. The Health Quotient index measures well-being across five dimensions, including physical, mental, financial, occupational and social health.
Regional differences in wellbeing scores
North India recorded the highest overall Health Quotient score at 67, with the region leading in physical health at 69 and financial health at 65. Further, 57 per cent of respondents ranked adequate insurance coverage among their top financial priorities. South India recorded the lowest overall score at 63, with lower scores on focus, clarity and job stability confidence.
Regional variations were also visible in mental health and urban well-being indicators. The East showed greater openness towards mental health support, with 50 per cent of Kolkata respondents prioritising seeking help compared with 40 per cent in other eastern cities. In the West, Mumbai recorded a Health Quotient score of 62, below the national average of 65, reflecting lower well-being scores among major metros. Other western cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara recorded scores of 66 or higher.
Why are people delaying insurance
Beyond regional differences in wellbeing scores, the study also looked at the factors influencing health insurance decisions among urban Indians. As insurance coverage was associated with higher well-being scores, affordability and clarity around plans remained key concerns for many people.
Nearly half of those planning to buy insurance cited high premiums as a concern. Around 47 per cent of insurance intenders said premiums were expensive, while 32 per cent were unsure about which plan suited them, and 28 per cent found the process complicated or unclear.
Among existing policyholders, premium costs remained a key concern, with 38 per cent citing high premiums. Around 33 per cent said they were already covered through employers or government schemes, while 21 per cent were unsure about choosing the right plan.
Young Indians face greater well-being pressures
The challenges around health insurance decisions are also reflected in the broader well-being pressures faced by younger Indians. The study found that the youngest cohort recorded the lowest Health Quotient score among all age groups, with those aged 25 to 34 scoring 63 compared with 66 for the 35 to 49 age group and 65 for those above 50.
The study found that 20 per cent of young respondents reported unmanageable stress, while 54 per cent prioritised mental health over physical health.
Financial stress weighs on wellbeing
Financial health emerged as the weakest dimension in the Health Quotient index, with a score of 62 compared with physical health at 68. The report found that financial pressures continue to influence overall well-being, with 41 per cent of respondents saying that pursuing financial goals contributes to stress.
Around 40 per cent of respondents said stress affects their physical health, while 36 per cent said maintaining a healthy lifestyle puts pressure on their finances.
