Childbirth costs 16 times higher in pvt hosps: NSO report

Childbirth in private hospitals costs nearly 16 times more than in govt facilities yet there is a growing shift towards private care driving up out-of-pocket spending, said the latest National Sample Survey health report. The average out-of-pocket spend per childbirth during the last fiscal was Rs 37,630 in private hospitals, compared to Rs 2,299 in govt hospitals.

New Delhi: Childbirth in private hospitals costs nearly 16 times more than in govt facilities, with a growing shift towards private care driving up out-of-pocket spending, according to the latest National Sample Survey Office (NSO) health report.

The survey shows the average out-of-pocket expenditure per childbirth during the last 365-day period is Rs 37,630 in private hospitals (including govt-empanelled facilities), compared to Rs 2,299 in govt hospitals, highlighting a sharp affordability gap. The gap remains significant even when typical spending is considered. The median expenditure per childbirth stands at Rs 32,000 in private hospitals versus Rs 801 in govt facilities, underscoring the financial burden on households opting for private care.

The survey also points to a gradual shift towards private care, with the share of childbirths in private hospitals rising from 21.3% to 28.8% in rural areas and from 47.89% to 50.89% in urban areas.

“Despite higher costs, many prefer private hospitals due to better access, round-the-clock services and perceived quality. With changing rural-urban boundaries and increased presence of private providers, reliance on private care has grown,” said Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, senior physician and public health specialist.

Govt facilities still account for majority of deliveries overall, especially in rural areas, while private hospitals play a larger role in urban India. Institutional deliveries, meanwhile, have become the norm, accounting for 96.2% of all births. They have also risen further from 90.5% το 95.6% in rural areas and from 96.1% to 97.8% in urban areas between 2017-18 and 2025, reflecting steady improvement in access.