NEW DELHI: The risk of being hospitalised in India doubles after the age of 45 and rises sharply among the elderly, signalling a shift in the country’s healthcare burden, according to the latest National Sample Survey Office (NSO) data for the last 365 days.The survey shows that hospitalisation rates climb from 23 per 1,000 people in the 30–44 age group to 42 per 1,000 among those aged 45–59, and then nearly double again to 81 per 1,000 in those aged 60 and above. In comparison, only 15 per 1,000 people aged 15–29 required hospital care over the year. Hospitalisation among children aged 0–4 (34 per 1,000) is also higher than among adolescents and young adults, pointing to a dual burden at the two ends of the age spectrum.The data point to a clear transition, with healthcare demand increasingly driven by middle-aged and older populations. Experts say this reflects a rising burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions and respiratory illnesses, which become more common with age and often require hospital treatment.“The sharp rise in hospitalisation after 45 reflects a systemic gap in preventive healthcare. Lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, fatty liver and heart disease are accumulating earlier, but structured screening and risk modification are not keeping pace,” said Dr Rommel Tickoo, Director, Internal Medicine, Max Hospital, Saket.“If India invests in early detection, routine metabolic screening, cardiovascular risk assessment, and primary care strengthening, we can significantly reduce avoidable hospital admissions in later decades,” he added.State-wise differences are stark. Kerala reports among the highest hospitalisation rates, with about 186 elderly persons per 1,000 admitted in a year—more than double the national average. Other regions such as Lakshadweep and Tripura also show elevated levels, while some northeastern states report lower rates. Experts say higher rates in states like Kerala may also reflect better access to healthcare and higher detection of illnesses.Among the elderly, hospitalisation rates are higher for men (93 per 1,000) than women (69 per 1,000), while differences are smaller or reversed in younger age groups.The trend highlights growing pressure on hospitals as India’s population ages. With more people living longer and developing long-term conditions, demand for inpatient care is expected to rise further in the coming years.The NSO data, based on hospitalisations over the past year (excluding childbirth), underline the need for stronger primary healthcare, early detection and better management of chronic diseases to reduce avoidable hospital admissions. The findings suggest India’s healthcare needs are shifting rapidly towards middle-aged and elderly populations.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIAF Rescues Two Children Stranded On Water Tank in Siddharthnagar, UP Using Mi-17 HelicopterMassive Fire in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar Building, 9 Dead as Rescue Operations Continue in ShahdaraPune Child Rape-Murder Sparks Protests, Highway Blocked Near Navale Bridge‘Reminder To Those Who Misuse State Power’: Pawan Khera Jabs Assam CM After SC Anticipatory BailUS Retains India on Special 301 Priority Watch List, Flags Patent Regime, Enforcement GapsCourt Rejects Nida Khan’s Anticipatory Bail in TCS Nashik Harassment and Conversion CaseCensus 2027 To Begin In UP From May 2026 With 5 Lakh Personnel, & Caste Data InclusionHome Minister Amit Shah Meets Sonam Wangchuk & Other Leaders in Leh Ahead Of TalksChhattisgarh IED Blast Kills 4 DRG Personnel During Defusal Operation Near Kanker-Narayanpur BorderIndia-Bound LPG Tanker Sarv Shakti On The Move Across Strait Of Hormuz: Why It Matters?123PhotostoriesAkshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor: Celebs who love pulling pranks on co-stars17-year-old ‘Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025′: 7 stunning photosPrincess Charlotte celebrates 11th birthday: 5 interesting facts about the Princess who’s an equal in the league of Queen Elizabeth II7 life lessons from Sundar Pichai that actually apply to your everyday lifeHow to make South Indian Onion Uttapam for Sunday breakfastRoyal deja vu! 5 times Queen Camilla’s wardrobe looked strikingly similar to Princess Diana’s10 beautiful and unique baby girl names with the letter “S”’The Devil Wears Prada 2’: Emily Blunt’s most iconic momentsMorning affirmation at 5 am: Affirmations that help you hear yourselfFrom Samay Raina roasting Sunil Pal and Navjot Singh Sidhu to Kapil Sharma pulling Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay’s leg over the India’s Got Latent controversy—highlights from The Great Indian Kapil Show123Hot PicksAssam key constituenciesKerala key constituenciesPuducherry election resultsTamil Nadu constituenciesAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingUS Germany relationsBank Holiday MayVande Bharat expressLPG cylinder price hikeMumbai missing linkPetrol, Diesel, LPG priceCBSE Class 12th ResultNEET 2026: Exam-day guideBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
NEW DELHI: The risk of being hospitalised in India doubles after the age of 45 and rises sharply among the elderly, signalling a shift in the country’s healthcare burden, according to the latest National Sample Survey Office (NSO) data for the last 365 days.The survey shows that hospitalisation rates climb from 23 per 1,000 people in the 30–44 age group to 42 per 1,000 among those aged 45–59, and then nearly double again to 81 per 1,000 in those aged 60 and above. In comparison, only 15 per 1,000 people aged 15–29 required hospital care over the year. Hospitalisation among children aged 0–4 (34 per 1,000) is also higher than among adolescents and young adults, pointing to a dual burden at the two ends of the age spectrum.The data point to a clear transition, with healthcare demand increasingly driven by middle-aged and older populations. Experts say this reflects a rising burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions and respiratory illnesses, which become more common with age and often require hospital treatment.“The sharp rise in hospitalisation after 45 reflects a systemic gap in preventive healthcare. Lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, fatty liver and heart disease are accumulating earlier, but structured screening and risk modification are not keeping pace,” said Dr Rommel Tickoo, Director, Internal Medicine, Max Hospital, Saket.“If India invests in early detection, routine metabolic screening, cardiovascular risk assessment, and primary care strengthening, we can significantly reduce avoidable hospital admissions in later decades,” he added.State-wise differences are stark. Kerala reports among the highest hospitalisation rates, with about 186 elderly persons per 1,000 admitted in a year—more than double the national average. Other regions such as Lakshadweep and Tripura also show elevated levels, while some northeastern states report lower rates. Experts say higher rates in states like Kerala may also reflect better access to healthcare and higher detection of illnesses.Among the elderly, hospitalisation rates are higher for men (93 per 1,000) than women (69 per 1,000), while differences are smaller or reversed in younger age groups.The trend highlights growing pressure on hospitals as India’s population ages. With more people living longer and developing long-term conditions, demand for inpatient care is expected to rise further in the coming years.The NSO data, based on hospitalisations over the past year (excluding childbirth), underline the need for stronger primary healthcare, early detection and better management of chronic diseases to reduce avoidable hospital admissions. The findings suggest India’s healthcare needs are shifting rapidly towards middle-aged and elderly populations.
