India's overall wellness score has remained stable at 72 for the fourth consecutive year but the country continues to suffer from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, stress and heart ailments that are silently eroding wellness across generations according to a new survey.
The eighth edition of India Wellness Index study 2025 published on the occasion of World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2025 reveals that diabetes is particularly prevalent among millennials and corporate employees, where sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits and high stress are converging to create long-term health risks.
The study conducted by ICICI Lombard General Insurance in partnership with Kantar found a sharp generational divide. Gen Z has reported decline across all pillars of wellness, while Gen X and women show strong improvements, underscoring shifting lifestyle patterns.
The study is based on the survey of over 2,000 respondents across 19 major urban centres, representing metros and Tier I cities across India, assessing six dimensions of well-being – physical, mental, family, social, financial, and workplace wellness.
A major finding of this report is that 17% of Indians now report diabetes and it is one of the top five ailments after stress, joint pain and high blood pressure.
ICICI Lombard Head marketing, CC & CSR Sheena Kapoor said, “Younger cohorts, particularly Gen Z, are feeling the impact of erratic routines and rising stress, pushing them into early risk categories. In contrast, we see women and Gen X demonstrating a stronger, more intentional approach to personal well-being — prioritising fitness, family health, and financial protection. This shift tells us that wellness in India is increasingly anchored in everyday discipline, not episodic awareness.”
The study found that corporate employees lag behind overall scores, with steep declines in physical and financial wellness, especially among women and younger cohorts. It found that 73% Indians believe high-pressure environments impact the heart, however 4 in 10 frequently ignore symptoms dismissing them as stress. Work-life balance remains a challenge, with guilt, exhaustion and family strain affecting two thirds of Indians and the corporates are struggling the most.
The study also reveals that health insurance ownership boosts overall wellness, especially in financial and family well-being. People with physical conditions (like heart disease, diabetes, obesity) push for pre-existing and critical illness coverage, while those with mental health symptoms emphasise mental health cover and wellness integration.