Spending on alcohol and tobacco is bigger than spending on preventive healthcare, a new study shows.
An average household in rural India spends more money on alcohol and tobacco than on accessing preventive healthcare.
A six-month long survey by a New Delhi-based research firm found that in rural homes, about 5% (Rs140) of monthly expenditure goes towards alcohol and about 7% (Rs196) is spent on tobacco. Household expenditure on preventive healthcare constitutes 2%, or roughly Rs56, a month and another 7% (Rs196) is spent on medical expenses, which also includes transportation. The survey was conducted by Chrome Data Analytics and Media, which tracked 50,000 villages in 19 states.
Monthly household expenditure in rural India averages at about Rs2,800.