Ayush Sector Emerges as High-Growth Services Economy
A comprehensive study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) estimates that India's Ayush services sector has grown to become a $36.92 billion economy in FY2024-25, registering a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.91% since FY2022-23. The study, based on a nationally scaled survey of 15,914 establishments across all six Ayush systems, was formally released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations in Nagpur on September 23rd.
Sector Composition and Revenue Distribution
Clinics and day-care centers form the core of the Ayush services economy, collectively accounting for over 71% of total sectoral revenue. Standalone clinics generated an estimated $16.21 billion, while day-care centers contributed $10.13 billion. Ayurveda remains the dominant individual system, accounting for $17.73 billion or nearly 48% of the sector's total revenue. The wellness segment, including yoga centers, spas, and resorts offering Ayush-based services, recorded an even higher CAGR of 21.29%, with yoga centers registering approximately 75% growth in revenue over two years.
Employment and Gender Participation
The Ayush services sector supports 1.76 million livelihoods directly, with more than one million jobs concentrated in local and standalone clinics. Women account for 43% of the overall Ayush services workforce, with particularly high participation rates in organized segments: over 60% in wellness settings (spas and resorts), 58% in educational institutions, 57% in day-care centers, and 53% in hospitals.
Medical Value Travel and International Reach
The sector generated an estimated $1.77 billion in Medical Value Travel (MVT) revenue in FY25. While international patients account for only about 5% of patient volumes, they contribute an estimated 15–25% of hospital-segment revenues. Ayush therapeutic programs, including Panchakarma and residential Yoga, are associated with longer patient stays ranging from 5 to 11 days on average. Digital visibility and quality accreditation significantly impact international patient attraction—establishments with dedicated functional websites have 3.6 times higher odds of attracting international patients, while recognized quality accreditation such as NABH or ISO doubles these odds.
Future Growth Projections and Strategic Pathway
The study projects that the Ayush services economy could expand from the current $36.92 billion to $216–318 billion by 2047, contingent on strengthening infrastructure, quality systems, skills development, digital capabilities, and international market access. The report outlines a strategic pathway focused on four pillars: knowledge value chain of Ayush, enterprise and institutional capabilities, global competitiveness and Medical Value Travel, and innovation through digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence. The findings emphasize the need for wider quality accreditation, digital health records, workforce skilling, international readiness, and responsible adoption of emerging technologies to realize this growth potential.