The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation conducted the survey on household consumption expenditure.
It aims to generate estimates of household MPCE and its distribution separately for the rural and urban sectors, for states and UTs, and for different socio-economic groups.
According to the HCES, a significant shift has occurred over time, with both rural and urban areas witnessing a notable transition from food to non-food expenditures.
This uptick in spending on beverages and processed food, which encompasses purchased cooked meals, is causing alarms to go off among healthcare professionals and experts.
Dr Kiran Madala pointed out that the connection between changing consumptive behaviour and health expenses, it’s plausible that changes in food habits are influencing health costs.
Non-hospitalisation costs, which cover expenses for treatments on an outpatient basis, seem to be on the rise, possibly indicating an increase in lifestyle-related diseases,” said Madala.