Women Make Up 43% of India’s Ayush Workforce as Sector Supports 17.6 Lakh Livelihoods

India’s Ayush services sector is emerging as a significant source of employment for women, with female participation exceeding 50% across several organised healthcare, education and wellness segments. According to the Ministry of Ayush, women account for 43% of the sector’s overall workforce, highlighting their growing contribution to India’s traditional healthcare and wellness economy.

The findings come from the Ayush Service Sector Report, prepared by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and released on Ayurveda Day 2026. The study estimates that India’s Ayush services economy reached US$36.92 billion in FY2024–25, supporting approximately 17.6 lakh livelihoods across healthcare, wellness, education and allied services.

Women Lead Employment Across Several Organised Ayush Segments

Women have established a particularly strong presence in organised Ayush institutions, where their workforce participation exceeds the sector-wide average. The study finds that female representation crosses 60% in spas and wellness resorts offering Ayush-based services, followed by 58% in educational institutions, 57% in day-care centres and 53% in hospitals.

These figures indicate that women constitute a majority of the workforce in several important areas of Ayush service delivery. Their participation extends across patient care, therapeutic services, professional education, wellness management and associated institutional activities.

The findings also reveal differences between organised establishments and the broader Ayush services economy. While women account for 43% of the overall workforce, their higher representation in institutional settings highlights the employment opportunities available through the expansion of organised healthcare and wellness services.

Ayush Sector Supports 17.6 Lakh Livelihoods Across India

The Ayush services sector encompasses Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy. Its employment footprint extends beyond hospitals and formal institutions to include independent practitioners, local clinics, wellness establishments and educational organisations.

According to the RIS assessment, more than 10 lakh livelihoods are concentrated in local and standalone clinics. These establishments form an important part of the sector’s service network, providing traditional healthcare services across urban and rural India.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav said the sector’s expansion was generating employment opportunities while encouraging entrepreneurship, skill development and greater participation of women. He emphasised that the growing Ayush economy was strengthening India’s healthcare ecosystem alongside its contribution to economic development.

Ayush Services Economy Reaches US$36.92 Billion

India’s Ayush services economy recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.91% between FY2022–23 and FY2024–25, reaching an estimated US$36.92 billion. The expansion reflects increasing economic activity across traditional healthcare delivery, therapeutic services and wellness establishments.

Standalone clinics remain the largest revenue-generating segment, contributing approximately US$16.21 billion, equivalent to 43.9% of the sector’s total revenue. Day-care centres contribute another US$10.13 billion, taking the combined share of these two segments above 70%.

Among the individual traditional medical systems, Ayurveda maintains the largest economic presence, generating an estimated US$17.73 billion. This represents approximately 48% of total Ayush services revenue, underscoring Ayurveda’s position within India’s traditional healthcare economy.

Wellness and Yoga Services Record Strong Growth

The wellness segment has emerged as one of the faster-growing components of the Ayush economy, recording a CAGR of 21.29%. Yoga centres registered approximately 75% revenue growth over two years, reflecting expanding demand for wellness programmes and preventive healthcare services.

This growth has broadened employment opportunities in establishments offering yoga instruction, wellness programmes, therapeutic services and residential wellness experiences. The strong participation of women in spas and wellness resorts is particularly notable as these establishments expand their services.

The development of organised wellness facilities also creates opportunities for professional training and entrepreneurship. As service providers adopt structured operating models and quality standards, the sector is developing a wider range of institutional and specialised employment roles.

Medical Value Travel Generates US$1.77 Billion

Medical Value Travel has become another significant component of the Ayush services economy. The RIS study estimates that services catering to international patients generated approximately US$1.77 billion during FY2024–25.

International patients account for around 5% of patient volumes but contribute an estimated 15–25% of hospital segment revenue. Their therapeutic programmes typically involve stays ranging from five to eleven days, creating demand for accommodation, treatment facilities and related services.

The figures demonstrate the economic contribution of international patients to organised Ayush establishments. Medical Value Travel also connects traditional healthcare services with tourism, hospitality and other supporting industries, expanding the sector’s commercial reach.

Skill Development and Quality Standards to Support Employment

Ministry of Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha emphasised the importance of quality standards, professional skilling, digital infrastructure and stronger institutional networks in supporting the sector’s development.

These measures are particularly relevant as organised Ayush establishments expand their operations and require trained professionals across healthcare delivery, administration, education and wellness services.

Greater institutional development can also improve opportunities for women to enter specialised professions, establish healthcare enterprises and participate in the management of organised Ayush facilities. Professional training and recognised service standards will remain important components of the sector’s long-term growth.

Ayush Services Economy Projected to Reach US$216–318 Billion by 2047

The RIS assessment projects that India’s Ayush services economy could expand to between US$216 billion and US$318 billion by 2047, compared with its estimated value of US$36.92 billion in FY2024–25.

These projections represent a substantial expansion in the sector’s economic potential, with opportunities extending into healthcare delivery, wellness, medical travel, professional education, research, digital health and allied services.

The rising participation of women adds an important dimension to this growth. With women already forming a majority of the workforce in several organised segments, the expansion of Ayush institutions can strengthen their contribution to healthcare services, entrepreneurship and economic activity.

India’s traditional healthcare systems are increasingly developing into a substantial services economy with a broad employment footprint. The combination of rising economic activity, institutional development and women’s participation positions the Ayush sector as an important contributor to inclusive growth and the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

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References

1. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Ayush, October 8, 2026. Women Account for 43% of Overall Ayush Services Workforce; Representation Exceeds 50% Across Several Organised Segments.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2320577&lang=1&reg=3
2. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Ayush, September 30, 2026. Ayush Emerges as One of India’s Fastest-Growing Service Sectors, RIS Study Estimates US$36.92 Billion Economy.
   https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2316869&lang=1&reg=3

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