In a first, Economic Survey flags mental health of the youth is key to nation’s growth. The just released survey of state of affair of India’s economy also claims that Ayushman Schemes saved Rs 1.25 lakh crore of poor man’s pocket.
Economic Survey highlights that lifestyle choices, workplace culture and family situations are critical for productivity and if India’s economic ambitions are to be met, then immediate attention must be given to lifestyle choices that are often made during childhood/youth.
It highlights that the increase in mental health issues in children and adolescents is often linked to the overuse of the internet and, specifically, social media. Giving reference to Jonathan Haidt’s book ‘The Anxious Generation: How the great rewiring of children is causing an epidemic of mental illness’ Survey emphasizes that the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” is rewiring the very experience of growing up.
The Survey emphasizes that a better workplace culture will lead to better mental well-being. It also states that lifestyle choices and family situations also play a significant role in mental well-being.
The Survey states that individuals who rarely consume ultra-processed or packaged junk food have better mental well-being than those who regularly do. It also says that those who rarely exercise, spend their free time on social media or are not close to their families have worse mental well-being and spending long hours at one’s desk is equally detrimental to mental well-being.
It highlights that low levels of mental well-being is worrying, the ramifications of these trends on the economy are equally disturbing. The document also highlights that hostile work cultures and excessive hours spent working at the desk can adversely affect mental well-being and ultimately put the brakes on the pace of economic growth.
It also emphasizes the urgent need for school and family-level interventions to encourage healthy pastimes meeting with friends, playing outside, investing time in building close family bonds would go a long way towards keeping children and adolescents away from internet and improving mental well-being.
It states that returning to our roots may allow us to reach further for the skies in terms of mental health. Economic Survey 2024-25 notes that given the direct costs to human welfare and the spirit and sentiment of the nation, putting mental well-being at the centre of the economic agenda is prudent and the scale of the problem is immense.
The document also states that it is about time to find viable, impactful preventive strategies and interventions as India’s demographic dividend is riding on skills, education, physical health and, above all, mental health of its youth.
India’s economic growth strategy emphasises inclusivity and welfare for all its citizens. The government’s focus is on empowering citizens through education, healthcare, skill development, and social infrastructure development. Inclusive economic growth is central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Government initiatives, including preventive measures, universal access to high-quality healthcare, strengthened public health infrastructure, and advancements in medical education, have collectively contributed to making healthcare in India more accessible and affordable for all said the economic survey 2024-25 tabled in parliament today.
As per Economic Survey, the Total Health Expenditure (THE) in FY22 is estimated to be Rs.9,04,461 crore (3.8 per cent of GDP and Rs.6,602 per capita at current prices). Total Health Expenditure per capita (at constant prices) has shown an increasing trend since FY19.
In the total health expenditure of the country between FY15 and FY22, the share of government health expenditure has increased from 29.0 per cent to 48.0 per cent.
Out of the THE, current health expenditure (CHE) is Rs.7,89,760 crore (87.3 per cent of THE), and capital expenditure is Rs.1,14,701 crore (12.7 per cent of THE). An increase in the share of capital expenditure in THE from 6.3 per cent in FY16 to 12.7 percent in FY22 is a positive sign as it will lead to broader and better health infrastructure.
The AB-PMJAY has revolutionised healthcare by providing health coverage to bottom 40 per cent of India’s most vulnerable populations.
The increase in government spending on health has an important implication for the reduction of financial hardship endured by households
As of 15 January 2025, more than 40 lakh senior citizens have been enrolled in the scheme.
AB-PMJAY has played a decisive role in the significant reductions observed in Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) through an increase in social security and primary health expenditure, with over Rs.1.25 lakh crore in savings recorded.
Other initiatives, such as the Free Dialysis scheme, have benefited around 25 lakh people. The reduction in OOPE goes hand in-hand with increased public spending in healthcare, demonstrating progress towards universal health coverage.
Under the scheme, by transforming sub-health centres (SHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs), Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) (formerly Health & Wellness Centres) have been operationalised, in rural and urban areas, offering a universal, free, and expanded package of preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative services closer to communities.
