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The survey shows that 67% of urban Indians rate themselves high in maintaining a balanced diet, while 64% say they engage in regular physical activity. Yet stress remains universal
The central finding of the survey is that money worries are no longer just an economic concern. They have become a health concern.
In India, healthcare conversations usually revolve around hospital charges, illnesses, insurance cover and access to treatment. But a new health survey has revealed that money may be the reason why most Indians, especially in cities, are stressed.
The inaugural India Health Quotient (IHQ) 2026 shows that Indians look relatively healthy as the country’s overall health score stands at 65 out of 100, placing it in the “good” category. Physical health has the highest score of 68, while social health has the highest score of 66. But 82% of urban Indians say they are stressed.
The survey was conducted by ManipalCigna Health Insurance in partnership with YouGov India with a sample size of 2,600 urban Indians across 16 cities. The findings show that there is a growing gap between how healthy Indians appear to be and how they actually feel.
mental health vs physical health
Urban Indians today are exercising more, paying more attention to diet and paying more attention to their health. According to the survey, 67% of people consider themselves highly focused on maintaining a balanced diet, while 64% say they engage in regular physical activity. Yet stress remains almost universal.
Only 1% of respondents described their overall health as poor, but more than eight in 10 admitted feeling stressed. About 14% say their stress levels are unbearable. This figure rises to 20% among young Indians aged 25-34.
The report describes this as India’s “stress paradox” – a country that looks healthy on the outside but feels exhausted on the inside.
India’s health scorecard: good, not great
An overall health score of 65 out of 100 suggests that urban India is neither thriving nor struggling. Instead, it takes a middle path.
Physical health is at the forefront with 68 points. Social well-being stands at 66 points, while mental and occupational health both have a score of 65. However, financial well-being lags behind every other category at only 62 out of 100. This distinction matters because financial well-being affects almost every other aspect of life.
When respondents were asked which areas of their lives needed the most improvement, financial health emerged as one of the top concerns, ahead of occupational and social well-being.
The central finding of the survey is that money worries are no longer just an economic concern. They have become a health concern.
What is the health debt trap?
The report identifies what it calls the ‘health debt trap’ – a cycle in which financial pressures and poor health reinforce each other.
Nearly 41% of urban Indians say that pursuing financial goals in itself is a source of stress and anxiety. Another 40% say managing stress is affecting their physical health. And 36% say spending on healthy foods, supplements, preventive checkups and other health-related expenses puts a strain on their finances.
In simple words, people work harder to earn more money. Pressure creates tension. Stress begins to affect sleep, concentration and physical health. Fixing those problems requires additional expense. That spending creates new financial pressures. The cycle repeats.
The report argues that financial well-being is no longer a separate pillar of health. It is deeply associated with physical, mental and social well-being.
Why are young Indians struggling the most?
Perhaps the most surprising finding is that young urban Indians are not the healthiest group.
Despite having access to fitness apps, wellness content and health information, the 25-34 age group records the lowest overall health score at 63 out of 100. This is lower than both the 35-49 group and respondents aged 50 and older.
Young adults also report the highest levels of unbearable stress. More than half (54%) of respondents in this age group say mental health is more important than physical health, while 56% say managing stress from external pressures is one of their biggest concerns.
The findings reflect the realities of urban life: rising rents, home loan EMIs, career uncertainty, competitive workplace and the increasing responsibility of supporting aging parents while planning their own families.
The financial well-being score among this age group is only 59 out of 100 – the lowest among all age groups.
Why has mental health become a major priority?
One of the most significant changes identified by the report is the changing perception of mental health.
For the first time, mental health and physical health are recognized as equally important for overall well-being. When respondents were asked to choose between the two, the split was 50-50. Among young Indians, mental health was prioritized over physical health. But awareness has not yet translated into action.
Only 40% of urban Indians rank seeking professional help as their top mental health priorities. The report suggests that stigma may be weakening, but behavior change is slow.
India believes that mental health matters. It’s still learning how to act on that belief.
Why are smaller cities performing better?
Another surprising finding is that non-metro India looks healthier than metro India. Respondents in smaller cities recorded an overall health score of 67 out of 100, compared to 63 in India’s largest metropolitan centres. This difference is visible in physical, mental, financial and professional well-being.
These findings raise uncomfortable questions for India’s largest cities.
Higher income does not necessarily translate into better well-being. Long commutes, pollution, rising costs of living, intensification of work and social isolation can erode the benefits associated with urban prosperity.
Thus, it seems that urban Indians are primarily not worried about getting sick. They are worried about staying in the water.
About the author
Shilpi Bisht is the news editor at News18, where she leads the English app operations. She writes on world affairs, health, AI, career, business and issues affecting women and children. A preprint…read more
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