New Delhi, 07 March 2026: Ahead of International Women’s Day, Niva Bupa Health Insurance has released new insights from its policyholder and claims data, highlighting evolving trends in how women across India are approaching health protection.
The analysis shows that women are increasingly purchasing health insurance at a younger age and taking a more active role in financial decisions related to healthcare. The shift is particularly visible in non-metro markets, where awareness and adoption of health insurance among women are increasing.
Women’s participation in Health Insurance is increasing
The share of women among insured members has increased over the past few years, signalling growing financial and health awareness among women.
- Women constituted 31% of insured members in 2021, which increased to 41% in 2025, reflecting strong adoption momentum.
- A growing number of women are also buying policies themselves. First-time policy buyers increased from 20% in 2021 to 22% in 2025.
- Younger women are also entering the insurance ecosystem earlier. The share of insured women in the 18–30 age group rose from 15% in 2021 to 18% in 2025.
This reflects a decent shift in financial decision-making, where women are prioritising health protection and long-term financial security.
Non-metro markets emerging as the growth engine
While health insurance adoption is increasing across India, non-metro markets are witnessing significantly faster growth among women policyholders.
- Female member growth in non-metro cities grew 32% year-on-year, compared to 24% growth in metro cities since 2021.
- Policies purchased directly by women in non-metro markets have also grown faster compared to metro markets over the last few years.
Several Tier-2 cities have emerged as high-growth markets for women policyholders, recording strong CAGR since 2021, including:
- Thiruvananthapuram – 51%
- Thrissur – 50%
- Indore – 41%
- Ernakulam – 38%
- Ahmedabad – 33%
- Raigarh (MH) – 33%
This growth reflects increasing awareness about healthcare costs and insurance penetration beyond major metropolitan centres.
Healthcare trends among women
Women account for around 40% of the life covered, with claim incidence slightly higher than men. Claims data indicates that women are more likely to seek treatment in certain high-impact health categories. For instance:
- Musculoskeletal procedures, including knee replacement surgeries, show higher claim incidence among women.
- Malignant neoplasms (cancers) also show a higher incidence among women, with conditions such as breast and cervical cancer accounting for a significant proportion of claims.
- Pregnancy-related hospitalisations remain a key component of women’s healthcare claims. Normal deliveries account for around 39% of maternity cases nationally.
Growing focus on health security among women
The data highlights a broader behavioural shift among women across India. Increasing adoption of health insurance by younger women and rising participation in non-metro markets signal a growing emphasis on healthcare, financial independence, and proactive health planning.
As awareness around rising healthcare costs and medical risks continues to grow, women are increasingly taking the lead in securing health protection—not only for themselves, but also for their families.
