Kolkata, May 25, 2026: Kolkata emerged as one of the country’s strongest markets in terms of health preparedness and financial security among young consumers, according to the latest Young India Health Insurance Report unveiled by Niva Bupa Health Insurance. The report revealed that 54% of Kolkata’s youth were classified as “Safe & Secure” in terms of handling medical emergencies—more than double the national average of 24%.
The comprehensive study, conducted among over 2,400 respondents across 35+ urban and rural centres including Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, introduced the Health Protection Score (HPS), a first-of-its-kind composite metric designed to assess an individual’s preparedness to manage health emergencies. The score evaluated four key dimensions including lifestyle discipline, family health history, preventive healthcare behaviour, and financial adequacy.
Kolkata recorded a Health Protection Score of 5.87, significantly higher than the national average of 4.54, underlining the city’s stronger awareness and preparedness towards healthcare and financial protection. The report further highlighted that 21% of young consumers in Kolkata owned personal health insurance policies, notably higher than the national average of 14%. The city also recorded one of the lowest policy lapse rates in the country at just 2%, compared to 6% nationally.
Despite estimating emergency healthcare expenses at nearly ₹96,000—lower than the national average—young consumers in Kolkata demonstrated remarkable financial resilience, with the ability to arrange approximately ₹4.9 lakh at short notice during medical emergencies. The findings reflected a strong financial safety net and a disciplined approach towards long-term healthcare planning.
In contrast, the national findings exposed a concerning gap between awareness and preparedness among young Indians. While 51% considered health insurance among their top financial priorities, only 14% actually owned a policy, leaving nearly 76% financially or medically vulnerable during unforeseen health situations.
Commenting on the findings, Nimish Agrawal said, “Kolkata stood out as a market where awareness, financial preparedness, and health insurance adoption came together strongly. The higher ownership levels and lower lapse rates reflected a deeper understanding of the importance of health protection among young consumers. The city’s strong financial preparedness also indicated greater confidence in handling medical uncertainties.”
The report further observed that while Kolkata excelled across financial preparedness, awareness of ailments and regular health assessments, there remained an opportunity to strengthen preventive lifestyle habits, positioning the city as a potential national benchmark for holistic health preparedness and responsible insurance adoption.
