Health Infrastructure India

India’s Public Health Spending

India’s public health spending remains persistently low, with total government expenditure hovering around 1.5–2% of GDP, far below the 2.5% target set by the National Health Policy. While States have gradually increased their health allocations, the Union government’s share as a percentage of GDP has declined after a temporary rise during COVID-19. This underinvestment leads to overburdened public hospitals, weak primary healthcare, high out-of-pocket expenses, and regional inequalities. Despite major initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission, inadequate and inconsistent funding continues to limit progress toward universal, affordable, and equitable healthcare in India.