National Health Accounts 2022-23: out-of-pocket spending falls to 43.4%
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The Health Ministry released National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23 on 27 May 2026, the tenth NHA report. Out-of-pocket expenditure fell from 64.2% of Total Health Expenditure in 2013-14 to 43.4% in 2022-23. Government Health Expenditure rose from 1.15% of GDP to 1.43% (1.48% on the new GDP series with base 2022-23).
- Release
- 27 May 2026; tenth NHA report
- Prepared by
- NHATS, NHSRC (SHA 2011 framework)
- OOPE share of THE
- 64.2% (2013-14) to 43.4% (2022-23)
- GHE share of THE
- 28.6% to 43.7%
- GHE / GDP
- 1.15% to 1.43% (1.48% on new GDP series)
- GHE per capita
- ₹1,042 to ₹2,786 (~2.7 times)
National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23: what happened?
When families pay most of their hospital bills from their own pocket, illness becomes a poverty trap. National Health Accounts track who pays for healthcare—government, insurance or the household—so we can see if public spending is actually crowding out ruinous OOPE.
- GHE share of General Government Expenditure rose from 3.78% to 4.89%.
- COVID year 2021-22: GHE touched 1.84% of GDP (ECRP-I and II, mass vaccination); OOPE fell to 39.4% that year as a one-time effect.
- Social Security Expenditure on health (incl. AB PM-JAY, reimbursements, social health insurance) rose from 6% to 9.9% of THE.
- Private health insurance rose from 3.4% to 9.2% of THE.
Who prepares NHA?
- National Health Accounts Technical Secretariat at NHSRC, designated in 2014.
- Uses the OECD System of Health Accounts (2011) framework.
How did the financing mix change over a decade?
| Indicator | 2013-14 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| OOPE % of THE | 64.2% | 43.4% |
| GHE % of THE | 28.6% | 43.7% |
| GHE % of GDP | 1.15% | 1.43% (1.48% new series) |
| GHE % of GGE | 3.78% | 4.89% |
| SSE % of THE | 6% | 9.9% |
| Private insurance % of THE | 3.4% | 9.2% |
Why does National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23 matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Equity | Lower OOPE means less medical impoverishment. |
| Public finance | GHE rising as a share of GDP and of THE. |
| UHC | Social security and insurance shares are up. |
| Data | Tenth NHA report; institutionalised since 2014. |
What are the challenges in National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23?
- OOPE at 43.4% is still high by global UHC standards.
- COVID-year OOPE of 39.4% was helped by one-time public spending that later eased.
- Private insurance growth can leave the poorest behind if public cover is thin.
What should be done next on National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23?
- Push GHE further toward the National Health Policy aspiration while expanding PM-JAY and primary care.
- Keep publishing NHA so States can track their own OOPE.
What can Prelims ask on National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23?
- NHA 2022-23: OOPE 43.4% of THE (from 64.2% in 2013-14).
- GHE/GDP 1.43% (1.48% new series); GHE/THE 43.7%.
- Prepared by NHATS/NHSRC using SHA 2011.
- SSE share of THE: 6% to 9.9%.
How to write about National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23 in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Falling out-of-pocket health spending is a better test of health policy than rising budgets alone. Examine with NHA 2022-23 data.
- Intro: OOPE 64.2% to 43.4%.
- GHE and SSE trends.
- COVID one-time spike.
- Gaps remaining.
- Way forward for UHC.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-27): NHA estimates 2022-23: Government Health Expenditure rose from ₹1.30 lakh crore (2013-14) to ₹3.85 lakh crore; GHE/GDP rose from 1.15% to 1.43%; GHE share of THE rose from 28.6% to 43.7%; OOPE share of THE fell from 64.2% to 43.4%; social security spending on health rose from 6% to 9.9%.
- Lower OOPE means less impoverishment from illness; public spending still below target.
Quotable data pointNHA estimates 2022-23: Government Health Expenditure rose from ₹1.30 lakh crore (2013-14) to ₹3.85 lakh crore.
PIB: Health: NHA 2022-23, 27 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: NHA indicators. · Mains: health financing.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
As per NHA 2022-23, out-of-pocket expenditure as a share of THE is
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Health), 27 May 2026.
National Health Accounts in India use which framework?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Health), 27 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What happened to out-of-pocket health spending?
Its share of Total Health Expenditure fell from 64.2% in 2013-14 to 43.4% in 2022-23.
What is GHE as a share of GDP in 2022-23?
1.43%, or 1.48% using the new GDP series with base year 2022-23.
Who prepares the NHA estimates?
The National Health Accounts Technical Secretariat at NHSRC under MoHFW.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Health: NHA 2022-23, 27 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending