Page 54 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Aging and health facilities in Indian cities

Figure 3. Hotspots of older population concentration among Class I cities in India, 2011 computed by authors using data from Census of India, 2011

Table 4. Comparison of the older population share and mean
Health Facilities Index, 2011
Characteristics Share of older population Mean HFI
City size
100,000 – 200,000 8.2 0.01
200,000 – 500,000 8.3 0.02
500,000 – 1 million 8.2 0.04
Million plus 7.9 0.09
Figure 4. Relationship between the population size (natural log) of cities Civic status
and the HFI score, 2011 computed by authors using data from Census of Census Town 5.5 0.01
India, 2011 City Municipal Council 8.1 0.02
Municipality 9.3 0.01
Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Delhi,
have adequate health facilities relative to their aging M. Council 8.3 0.02
populations. In contrast, many cities that have experienced M. Corp 8.0 0.1
rapid population aging in the last decade lack health Others 7.7 0.03
facilities. Emerging aging cities in states such as Kerala, Note: Computed by authors using the Census of India data,
Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, which already have a higher 2001 and 2011.
older population, are particularly lacking in terms of Abbreviation: HFI: Health Facilities Index.
health facilities. Therefore, improving health facilities in resources and infrastructure to meet the healthcare needs
such cities is crucial for ensuring healthy urban aging.
of their populations, particularly older adults. Conversely,
This examination of the health facility infrastructure in cities with lower HFI scores, older adults are required
across various Indian cities has generated certain noteworthy to travel significantly long distances to access healthcare.
findings (Figure 6). Larger cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi This is especially true for cities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
Municipal Corporation, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chennai, Bhopal, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Thiruvananthapuram, Agra, and Guwahati demonstrate In contrast, cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu offer more
high HFI scores, indicating that they possess the necessary accessible health facilities, with shorter travel distances.

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 46 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3993