Health may be gaining greater attention among young professionals and employers, but stress remains a defining feature of urban life. Long working hours, financial pressures and the struggle to maintain a work-life balance continue to affect the well-being of millions across India’s cities.
A staggering 82% of urban Indians report experiencing stress, while 63% of respondents who consider work-life balance among the top five aspects of workplace health say it is critical to their wellbeing. Despite this, many struggle to achieve that balance in practice, highlighting the gap between health awareness and the realities of modern urban life.
Mental well-being is also emerging as a major priority, particularly among younger Indians. For the first time, mental health and physical health are considered equally important to overall well-being, with both accounting for 50% of health priorities. Among respondents below the age of 35, 54% place greater importance on mental health than physical health, reflecting changing attitudes towards wellness and emotional resilience.
Financial pressures are also taking a toll on overall well-being. About 41% of urban Indians say pursuing financial goals is a source of stress, while 36% report that investing in their health places a strain on their finances. The numbers highlight the close link between financial security and health, with many urban Indians balancing healthcare costs against other financial priorities.
These findings are drawn from the inaugural India Health Quotient (IHQ) 2026 by ManipalCigna Health Insurance, which examines how urban Indians perceive, prioritise and manage their wellbeing across physical, mental, financial, occupational and social health.
The report found that India’s overall Health Quotient stood at 65 out of 100. Physical health emerged as the strongest dimension with a score of 68, followed by social health at 66. Occupational and mental health scored 65 each, while financial health recorded the lowest score at 62.
Despite the high levels of stress reported, only 1 per cent of respondents rated their health as poor, pointing to a gap between the challenges people experience and how they perceive their overall wellbeing.
The study also found that work-related pressures continue to weigh heavily on the salaried workforce, which reported higher levels of stress and poorer outcomes across several health indicators than self-employed respondents.
Health insurance emerged as a key factor in overall well-being, with insured urban Indians recording a Health Quotient score of 68, compared with 62 among those without health insurance.
The report also found growing acceptance of artificial intelligence in healthcare, with 63% of urban Indians expressing positive views about its role over the next year. Respondents cited benefits such as improved diagnosis, early detection and continuous health monitoring, although concerns around privacy and reduced human interaction persist.
Commenting on the findings, Joydeep Saha, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ManipalCigna Health Insurance, said, “The health conversation in India is moving beyond treatment, with mental and physical health now seen as equally important to overall wellbeing.”
Meanwhile, Sapna Desai, Chief Marketing Officer, ManipalCigna Health Insurance, said, “The study reflects the daily trade-offs urban Indians make across health, finances, work and relationships, with stress remaining a key challenge.”
Got questions or experiences to share? Comment below or connect with me on Instagram @samuelmjosh and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-joshua-maddela-ab210b1b9
