New Delhi: Women account for 43% of the workforce in India’s Ayush services sector, with their representation exceeding 50% across several organised segments, including hospitals, educational institutions, day-care centres and wellness establishments, according to a recent report by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).
The Ayush services sector, covering Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, was valued at $36.92 billion in 2024-25. It has recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.91% since 2022-23 and supports an estimated 1.76 million livelihoods across healthcare, wellness, education and allied services.
The Ayush Service Sector Report, released on Ayurveda Day 2026, found that women account for more than 60% of the workforce in spas and wellness resorts. Female representation stands at 58% in educational institutions, 57% in day-care centres and 53% in hospitals.
Union minister of state (independent charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav said the sector’s expansion was creating employment opportunities in healthcare, wellness, education and allied services. He said its growth was also opening avenues for entrepreneurship, skill development and greater participation of women in the workforce.
More than one million livelihoods are concentrated in local and standalone clinics, highlighting the sector’s extensive employment footprint across urban and rural areas.
Wellness segment grows at 21.29% CAGR; sector eyes expansion by 2047
Standalone clinics remain the largest revenue-generating segment, contributing $16.21 billion, or 43.9% of the sector’s total revenue. Day-care centres account for another $10.13 billion, with the two segments together contributing more than 70% of revenue. Ayurveda remains the largest individual system, generating $17.73 billion, or around 48% of the total.
The wellness segment has recorded a CAGR of 21.29%, while Yoga centres registered around 75% revenue growth over two years, reflecting rising demand for preventive healthcare and wellness services.
Secretary, ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said the expansion of organised services, supported by quality standards, skill development, digital infrastructure and stronger institutional networks, could improve the scale and quality of employment. He added that greater participation of women in organised establishments demonstrated the sector’s potential to contribute to inclusive economic growth.
The sector generated an estimated $1.77 billion through medical value travel in 2024-25. International patients account for around 5% of patient volumes but contribute approximately 15-25% of hospital-segment revenue. Therapeutic programmes typically involve stays of five to 11 days.
The report projects the Ayush services sector to grow from $36.92 billion in 2024-25 to an estimated $216 billion-$318 billion by 2047. The expansion could create further employment opportunities in healthcare delivery, wellness, education, medical travel, research and digital health, supporting India’s broader Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
