NSO Survey Finds 39.7 Percent Morbidity Rate in Kerala, Highest in India

The National Sample Survey Organisation's 80th round health survey reveals Kerala has the highest morbidity rate in India at 39.7 per cent, measured as the proportion of people reporting illness in the past 15 days, far above the national average of 13.1 per cent. West Bengal ranks second at 24.5 per cent and Andhra Pradesh third at 21.1 per cent, with demographic ageing and improved health reporting identified as key explanatory factors.

In Kerala, illness reporting is higher in urban areas at 41.5 per cent than in rural areas at 38.1 per cent, with women reporting illness at a significantly higher rate than men across both settings — 44.6 per cent versus 38 per cent in urban areas. West Bengal's morbidity rate of 24.5 per cent shows a similar urban-rural divide, with urban areas at 29.8 per cent and rural areas at 22.2 per cent. States below the national average include Bihar at 9.9 per cent, Madhya Pradesh at 9.5 per cent, Jharkhand at 9.2 per cent and Chhattisgarh at 8.8 per cent.

Researchers attribute Kerala's high rate primarily to demographic transition and health literacy rather than poor health outcomes. Kerala has the nation's highest share of elderly people and its highest life expectancy, with ageing populations carrying elevated rates of chronic illness including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A study by the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research found that in highly literate societies like Kerala, people report illness even for minor conditions and seek treatment promptly — a pattern that elevates morbidity statistics without necessarily reflecting worse underlying health.

West Bengal's rapid demographic shift toward an ageing society, with the elderly comprising approximately 12 to 14 per cent of total population, has driven growth in age-related acute and chronic illnesses including joint pain, respiratory disorders and vision impairment. In Andhra Pradesh, approximately 64 per cent of the elderly population suffers from some form of chronic illness, with musculoskeletal ailments, hypertension and vision impairment most prevalent and around 25 per cent of elderly residents managing more than one condition. The survey data underscore the growing public health and healthcare financing pressure across India's rapidly ageing southern and eastern states.

Key figure — 39.7% morbidity rate in Kerala