Diabetes on the Rise: Wellness Index Study Report

Mumbai:ICICI Lombard General Insurance, India’s leading private general insurance company, today released the 8th edition of its India Health Index study 2025 on the occasion of World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2025. The study highlights that while the country’s overall health score remains stable at 72 for the fourth year in a row, India continues to suffer from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, stress and heart diseases that have been silently eroding wellness across generations.

The study, conducted in partnership with Kantar, is based on a robust sample of over 2,000 respondents across 19 key urban centres, representing metros and Tier I cities across India, and assesses six dimensions of well-being – physical, mental, family, social, financial and workplace health. The findings reveal a stark generational divide: While Gen Z reports declines in all pillars of wellness, Gen X and women show strong improvements, underscored by changing lifestyle patterns.

A key finding of this report is that 17% of Indians now report diabetes; This makes it one of the five most common ailments after stress, joint pain and high blood pressure. Diabetes is especially common among millennials and corporate workers, where sedentary lifestyles, poor eating habits, and high stress combine to pose long-term health risks.

Today, Health Insurance for Indians has become more than just a policy; It’s a sense of security. One in two people think it is essential for their well-being, and diabetics are leading the way in proactively embracing health insurance.

Speaking about the report, Sheena Kapoor, Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications and CSR, ICICI Lombard, said: “The 2025 Health Index reminds us that India’s health story is changing faster than we think. While lifestyle conditions such as diabetes continue to be a growing concern, lies a deeper understanding of how our choices shape these outcomes. Younger cohorts, especially Generation Z, are feeling the impact of irregular routines and increased stress, pushing them into early risk categories. In contrast, women and Gen X are stronger, more conscious about personal well-being.” “This shift shows us that wellness in India is increasingly based on daily discipline, not episodic awareness. The call to action is clear: small, consistent habits – balanced diet, regular exercise, mindful living – supported by preventive health tools and comprehensive insurance solutions, can truly redefine. At ICICI Lombard, our focus is on enabling this transition and empowering India to live healthier, more resilient lives.”

Key Findings from the 2025 Health Index:

Diabetes and Lifestyle Diseases:

17% of Indians report diabetes; The incidence is higher among generation Y and companies

Stress and fatigue still dominate; 1 in 3 Indians face high daily stress and 41% report constant fatigue.

Indians without heart/diabetes scored 79 points on the Wellness Index, while those with heart/diabetes scored only 70 points

Generational and Regional Distinction in Health:

Generation Z crisis – Health is in decline in all areas (physical, financial, mental, workplace and social). Level 1 Generation Z are the most vulnerable

Gen X and Women are thriving – Showing gains in physical fitness, financial literacy, workplace balance and family ties

Millennials are on the rebound – Strong growth in financial and workplace wellness driven by greater adoption of insurance and financial planning

On average, Indians face ~1.3 symptoms of depression; The most common are fatigue and hopeless outlook. Vulnerability is highest among millennials and corporate women, while Generation X and Tier 1 towns remain least affected.

The North region continues to rank high in wellness scores, while the West remains the lowest; Metro cities like Mumbai and Pune lag behind the regional average.

Corporate Health Gap:

Corporate employees lag behind overall scores; sharp declines in physical and financial health, especially among women and younger generations

73% of Indians believe high-pressure environments affect the heart, but 4 in 10 often ignore symptoms, thinking they are stress

Work-life balance remains an issue due to guilt, burnout and family issues affecting 2/3 of Indians; Companies are having the hardest time.

Diet and Nutrition:

While 66% of Indians claim to follow a balanced diet, many fail to reduce sugar, salt or fat. Consistency collapses due to lack of time, motivation or awareness

Those who follow a truly balanced diet score 4 points higher on the Wellness Index

Insurance and Technology as Healthcare Providers:

Having health insurance improves overall health, especially financial and family well-being

Growing need for holistic insurance solutions – People with physical conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity) are demanding pre-existing and critical illness cover, while people with mental health symptoms are placing emphasis on mental health insurance and wellness integration.

Fitness tracker users score ~20 points higher on the Wellness Index than non-users