India’s Ayush services economy reached an estimated US$36.92 billion in FY2024-25, with clinics, day-care centres, wellness facilities and medical travel emerging as major contributors to a sector that is expanding far beyond its traditional healthcare base.
A national study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries estimates that Ayush services have grown at a compound annual rate of 16.91 per cent since FY2022-23 while supporting around 1.76 million livelihoods. The sector also generated an estimated US$1.77 billion from Medical Value Travel during FY2024-25.
Ayurveda alone accounted for nearly half of total sectoral revenue, while Ayush-based wellness services recorded even faster growth. Looking further ahead, the study projects that the overall Ayush services economy could reach between US$216 billion and US$318 billion by 2047.
National Survey Maps the Ayush Services Economy
The RIS study, formally released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations in Nagpur on September 23, 2026, was detailed by the Ministry of Ayush on September 30. It represents the first nationally scaled establishment-level assessment of the economic contribution of Ayush services across all major systems.
The research covered 15,914 establishments representing Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, creating a broader evidence base for measuring the economic scale of the sector and supporting future policy, investment and institutional development.
Clinics and Day-Care Centres Generate More Than 71 Per Cent of Revenue
Clinics and day-care centres form the core of the Ayush services economy and together account for more than 71 per cent of total sectoral revenue.
Standalone clinics generated an estimated US$16.21 billion in FY2024-25, while day-care centres contributed about US$10.13 billion.
The figures indicate that much of the sector’s economic activity remains closely connected to community-level healthcare delivery rather than being concentrated only in large hospitals or wellness resorts.
Local and standalone clinics also play a major role in employment, supporting more than one million jobs across the country.
Ayurveda Remains the Largest Ayush System
Ayurveda accounted for the largest share of revenue among individual Ayush systems, generating an estimated US$17.73 billion.
This represented nearly 48 per cent of the entire Ayush services economy measured by the RIS study.
The scale reflects Ayurveda’s extensive network of clinics, hospitals, treatment centres, educational institutions, wellness facilities and specialised therapeutic programmes across India.
The figures also demonstrate how traditional healthcare systems are becoming increasingly integrated with organised healthcare delivery, preventive wellness and medical tourism.
Wellness Services Record Rapid Expansion
The Ayush-based wellness segment has emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas within the broader sector.
This category includes yoga centres, spas, resorts and other establishments providing Ayush-linked preventive health and wellness services.
The segment recorded a compound annual growth rate of 21.29 per cent, while yoga centres registered approximately 75 per cent revenue growth over a two-year period.
The expansion reflects rising domestic and international demand for preventive healthcare, holistic wellness, lifestyle management and traditional therapeutic practices.
Ayush Sector Supports 1.76 Million Livelihoods
The study estimates that Ayush services directly support around 1.76 million livelihoods across India.
Employment is distributed across clinics, hospitals, wellness establishments, educational institutions, day-care centres and other parts of the Ayush services ecosystem.
Women account for approximately 43 per cent of the overall workforce.
Female participation is considerably higher in several organised segments. Women constitute more than 60 per cent of employees in spas and resorts offering Ayush-based services, 58 per cent in educational institutions, 57 per cent in day-care centres and 53 per cent in hospitals.
These figures highlight the sector’s growing role not only in healthcare delivery but also in employment creation and workforce participation.
Medical Value Travel Generates $1.77 Billion
Ayush has also become an increasingly important component of India’s Medical Value Travel sector.
The RIS study estimates that Ayush services generated around US$1.77 billion in Medical Value Travel revenue during FY2024-25.
International patients account for only about 5 per cent of overall patient volumes, but they are estimated to contribute between 15 and 25 per cent of revenues within the hospital segment.
Ayush therapeutic programmes such as Panchakarma and residential Yoga typically involve longer stays than many conventional outpatient treatments. According to the study, the average length of stay for such programmes ranges from five to eleven days.
This extended duration contributes to higher spending on treatment, accommodation, wellness services and associated travel activities.
Digital Presence and Accreditation Improve International Reach
The study identifies digital visibility and recognised quality accreditation as important factors influencing an establishment’s ability to attract international patients.
Ayush establishments with dedicated functional websites were found to have 3.6 times higher odds of receiving international patients.
Recognised quality accreditation, including certifications such as NABH or ISO, was associated with roughly double the odds of attracting patients from overseas.
These findings point to the growing importance of digital accessibility, transparent service information, quality standards and internationally recognisable accreditation as Ayush expands into global healthcare markets.
Ayush Economy Could Reach $216-318 Billion by 2047
Looking towards 2047, the RIS study projects substantial long-term expansion of the Ayush services economy.
From an estimated US$36.92 billion in FY2024-25, the sector could grow to between US$216 billion and US$318 billion by 2047.
The projections are linked to further development of healthcare infrastructure, professional skills, quality systems, digital capabilities and access to international markets.
The report also identifies opportunities to strengthen enterprise capacity, institutional networks, research ecosystems and the global competitiveness of Ayush services.
Four-Pillar Strategy for Future Growth
The study outlines a strategic pathway based on four broad pillars.
These include strengthening the knowledge value chain of Ayush, improving enterprise and institutional capabilities, expanding global competitiveness and Medical Value Travel, and promoting innovation through digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence.
The report also emphasises the importance of wider quality accreditation, digital health records, workforce skilling, stronger international preparedness and responsible use of emerging technologies.
These areas are expected to become increasingly important as Ayush services expand from largely domestic healthcare networks into internationally accessible and digitally connected systems.
Ayush Expands Beyond Traditional Healthcare
The findings show that Ayush is evolving into a broader healthcare, wellness and services economy with growing links to employment, entrepreneurship, tourism and international healthcare.
Its economic footprint now extends from neighbourhood clinics and hospitals to yoga centres, wellness resorts, educational institutions and Medical Value Travel.
With nearly US$37 billion in estimated economic activity, 1.76 million livelihoods and strong growth across healthcare and wellness segments, Ayush has moved into a more prominent position within India’s services economy.
Continued expansion of quality infrastructure, skilled manpower, digital systems and global market access can strengthen this momentum and deepen the sector’s contribution to India’s healthcare, wellness and economic development in the decades ahead.
References
Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Ayush — “Ayush Emerges as One of India’s Fastest-Growing Service Sectors, RIS Study Estimates US$36.92 Billion Economy,” September 30, 2026.
Research and Information System for Developing Countries — Study on the Economic Contribution of India’s Ayush Services Sector, formally released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations in Nagpur on September 23, 2026.
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