India’s Ayush services sector contributed an estimated $36.92 billion to the economy in FY25 and could expand to between $216 billion and $318 billion by 2047, according to a study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries.
The findings highlight the growing economic role of Ayurveda and other Ayush systems across healthcare, wellness, employment and Medical Value Travel. The sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate of 16.91 per cent since FY23 and currently supports around 1.76 million livelihoods.
The sector also generated an estimated $1.77 billion in Medical Value Travel revenue, underlining the growing role of Ayush-based healthcare and wellness services in attracting international patients.
The study was released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations. The Ministry of Ayush said the research provides the first nationally scaled assessment of the economic contribution of the Ayush services sector through an establishment-level survey covering the major Ayush systems.
According to the study, clinics and day-care centres form the core of the Ayush services economy, together accounting for more than 71 per cent of total sector revenue. Standalone clinics generated an estimated $16.21 billion, while day-care centres contributed around $10.13 billion.
Ayurveda remained the largest individual system, generating approximately $17.73 billion, or nearly 48 per cent of total Ayush services revenue. Hospitals also represented an important component of the sector’s wider economic activity.
Women account for about 43 per cent of the overall Ayush services workforce, with female participation exceeding 50 per cent in several organised segments. Women represent more than 60 per cent of the workforce in wellness establishments offering Ayush-based services, while their participation stands at 58 per cent in educational institutions and 57 per cent in day-care centres.
International patients currently account for only around five per cent of total patient volumes. However, they contribute an estimated 15 to 25 per cent of revenues in the hospital segment, indicating the relatively high economic contribution of overseas patients.
The government said the findings could provide a stronger evidence base for future investment, policy planning and reforms in the sector. The assessment also places greater emphasis on measuring Ayush as an economic activity rather than solely as a traditional healthcare system.
The projected expansion to as much as $318 billion by 2047 would represent a substantial increase from the sector’s current contribution. Growth is expected to be supported by healthcare and wellness demand, employment generation, Medical Value Travel and greater international engagement.
The findings indicate that Ayush is increasingly developing into a broader services economy, with healthcare delivery, education, wellness, tourism and related activities contributing to its overall economic footprint.
