Ayush Emerges as One of India’s Fastest-Growing Service Sectors, RIS Study Estimates US$36.92 Billion Economy

Key Highlights:

• The Ayush services sector is estimated at US$36.92 billion in FY2024-25, emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing service sectors.
• It registered a 16.91% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) since FY2022-23, as per a study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).
• The Ayush economy is projected to scale to US$216–318 billion by 2047, contributing to the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
• The sector significantly contributes to healthcare, wellness, employment generation, and Medical Value Travel (MVT).
• The report was formally released during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations in Nagpur.

Detailed Insights:

• The RIS study is based on a nationally scaled survey of 15,914 establishments across all six Ayush systems.
• Clinics and day-care centers form the core of the Ayush services economy, accounting for over 71% of total sectoral revenue.
• Ayurveda remains the largest individual system, contributing nearly 48% (US$17.73 billion) of the sector’s total revenue.
• The Ayush-based wellness segment, including yoga centers, recorded a 21.29% CAGR, with yoga centers showing 75% growth in revenue.
• The sector directly supports 1.76 million livelihoods, with over one million jobs concentrated in local and standalone clinics.
• Women constitute 43% of the overall Ayush services workforce, exceeding 50% in organized segments like wellness and education.
• Medical Value Travel (MVT) generated an estimated US$1.77 billion in FY25, with international patients contributing 15–25% of hospital revenues.
• Digital visibility and quality accreditation like NABH or ISO significantly increase the odds of attracting international patients.
• Future growth potential is contingent on strengthening infrastructure, quality systems, skills, digital capabilities, and international market access.
• Strategic pillars for growth include knowledge value chain, enterprise capabilities, global competitiveness, MVT, and digital innovation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ayush: Acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy, representing traditional Indian healthcare systems.
• Viksit Bharat @2047: Government's vision for India to become a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its independence.
• Medical Value Travel (MVT): Travel to another country for medical treatment, often combining healthcare with tourism.
• Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS): An autonomous policy research institute specializing in international economic issues.