The Ministry of Ayush has released findings showing that women make up 43 per cent of the overall workforce in India’s traditional and alternative medicine services sector. The representation is notably higher in organised settings, with women exceeding 50 per cent employment in hospitals, day-care centres, educational institutes and wellness establishments.
These figures come from the Ayush Service Sector Report, a study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries released in October 2026. The assessment reveals that the Ayush services economy—which includes Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy—is becoming an important employment avenue, particularly for women.
Key facts
- Women represent 43 per cent of the total Ayush services workforce
- Female representation exceeds 60 per cent in spas and wellness resorts
- Women account for 58 per cent in educational institutes, 57 per cent in day-care centres and 53 per cent in hospitals
- The Ayush services sector was valued at US$36.92 billion in FY2024-25
- The sector supports an estimated 1.76 million livelihoods directly
- The sector has registered 16.91 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since FY2022-23
- Standalone clinics contribute US$16.21 billion or 43.9 per cent of sector revenue
- Day-care centres account for US$10.13 billion
- Ayurveda is the largest system, accounting for US$17.73 billion or 48 per cent of revenue
- Wellness segment grew at 21.29 per cent CAGR
- Yoga centres recorded 75 per cent revenue growth over two years
- Medical Value Travel generated US$1.77 billion in FY2024-25
- Sector is projected to expand to US$216-318 billion by 2047
Where women work in Ayush
Women’s participation varies across different segments of the Ayush services sector. In spas and wellness resorts, female employment is strongest at over 60 per cent. Educational institutes training Ayush practitioners employ women at 58 per cent, while day-care centres where wellness services are delivered have 57 per cent women workers. Hospitals offering Ayush treatments employ women at 53 per cent of their workforce.
Beyond organised establishments, more than one million jobs exist in local and standalone clinics. These smaller operations, typically run by individual practitioners or small teams, form the largest employment segment and are distributed across both urban and rural areas.
The sector’s economic scale
Standalone clinics remain the biggest revenue generator, producing US$16.21 billion annually. Day-care centres focused on wellness treatments add another US$10.13 billion. Together, these two segments account for more than 70 per cent of the entire sector’s revenue.
Among the six Ayush systems, Ayurveda dominates, contributing nearly half the sector’s total revenue at US$17.73 billion. Yoga and wellness services are among the fastest-growing areas. Yoga centres have seen their revenue double in just two years, growing 75 per cent, while the broader wellness segment grows at 21.29 per cent annually, driven by rising demand for preventive health services.
International patients, though they represent only about 5 per cent of patient numbers, generate a disproportionate share of revenue, contributing 15 to 25 per cent of hospital earnings. This is part of Medical Value Travel, where foreign patients come to India for extended wellness and treatment programmes lasting 5 to 11 days, generating US$1.77 billion in FY2024-25.
Employment and growth potential
The Ministry of Ayush emphasises that the sector creates opportunities across healthcare delivery, education, wellness services and allied work. With 1.76 million people already employed, the sector is positioned as a significant engine for both job creation and economic growth.
Projections suggest the Ayush services sector could expand dramatically to between US$216 billion and US$318 billion by 2047. This expansion would create substantial employment across diverse areas including clinical practice, wellness, education, medical tourism, research, digital health and supporting services.
What this means for you
If you are looking for healthcare or wellness careers, the Ayush sector offers growing opportunities. Women, in particular, will find significant employment in hospitals, clinics, educational institutes and wellness centres. The sector is accessible across education levels, from practitioners trained in formal Ayush universities to skilled therapists and wellness assistants in clinics and spas.
If you work in traditional medicine or wellness, the data shows your field is growing rapidly and increasingly formalised through hospitals and organised wellness establishments. For entrepreneurs, both standalone clinics and organised chains offer business potential, particularly in the high-growth yoga and wellness segments.