A new study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) has valued India’s Ayush services sector at US$36.92 billion in FY2024-25, with growth of 16.91 per cent annually since FY2022-23. The Ministry of Ayush commissioned the research to measure the economic contribution of India’s traditional and complementary medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy and Naturopathy. The study surveyed 15,914 establishments across all six Ayush systems to establish the first nationally scaled measurement of the sector’s size and economic impact.
Key facts
- Ayush services sector economy: US$36.92 billion in FY2024-25
- Annual growth rate: 16.91 per cent CAGR since FY2022-23
- Employment: 1.76 million direct livelihoods supported
- Medical Value Travel revenue: US$1.77 billion in FY2024-25
- Projected size by 2047: US$216 billion to US$318 billion
- Establishments surveyed: 15,914 across six Ayush systems
- Women in workforce: 43 per cent overall; over 50 per cent in organised segments
- Study released: 23 September during 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations in Nagpur
Structure of the Ayush economy
Standalone clinics and day-care centres form the backbone of the sector, together accounting for over 71 per cent of total revenue. Standalone clinics generated US$16.21 billion, while day-care centres contributed US$10.13 billion. Ayurveda is the largest individual system within Ayush, representing US$17.73 billion or nearly 48 per cent of sectoral revenue. The remaining revenue is distributed across Homeopathy, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Naturopathy systems.
Rapid growth in wellness services
The wellness segment, which includes yoga centres, spas and resorts offering Ayush-based services, is expanding particularly fast. Yoga centres alone recorded around 75 per cent revenue growth over two years, and the overall wellness segment grew at 21.29 per cent annually. This reflects growing demand among Indians and international visitors for preventive health, wellness services and holistic care approaches.
Employment and gender participation
The Ayush sector directly supports 1.76 million jobs, with the majority concentrated in local and standalone clinics. Women represent 43 per cent of the overall workforce. In organised segments, female participation is even higher: women make up 60 per cent of workers in wellness facilities offering Ayush services, 58 per cent in educational institutions, 57 per cent in day-care centres and 53 per cent in hospitals. This indicates the sector offers significant employment opportunities for women across various skill levels.
Medical Value Travel potential
While international patients account for only around 5 per cent of total patient volumes, they contribute an estimated 15 to 25 per cent of hospital segment revenues. The sector generated US$1.77 billion in Medical Value Travel revenue in FY2024-25. International patients tend to stay longer, averaging 5 to 11 days, particularly for therapeutic programmes such as Panchakarma and residential Yoga. The study found that establishments with a dedicated functional website have 3.6 times higher odds of attracting international patients, and those with quality accreditation such as NABH or ISO certification see approximately double the odds.
What this means for you
If you work in or are considering a career in traditional medicine, the findings suggest sustained job growth in a rapidly expanding sector. If you run an Ayush clinic or wellness facility, the study highlights the importance of digital presence and quality certification to attract both domestic and international patients. As a patient or wellness consumer, the sector’s growth suggests improving availability of Ayush services, though quality and standards vary. If you are interested in entrepreneurship in healthcare and wellness, Ayush represents a high-growth opportunity backed by government support and increasing consumer demand.
Future growth potential
The study projects the Ayush services economy could reach between US$216 billion and US$318 billion by 2047, conditional on strengthening of infrastructure, quality systems, workforce skills, digital capabilities and international market access. The growth pathway depends on four pillars: the knowledge value chain of Ayush systems, enterprise and institutional capabilities, global competitiveness through Medical Value Travel, and innovation via digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The report recommends wider quality accreditation, digital health records, workforce training and responsible adoption of emerging technologies to realise this potential.