Ayush sector supports 1.76 million livelihoods, with women accounting for more than half of the workforce in several organised segments
New Delhi : Women account for 43 per cent of India’s Ayush services workforce, with their representation exceeding 50 per cent in hospitals, day-care centres, educational institutions and wellness establishments, according to a recent assessment of the sector released 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 an estimated US$36.92 billion in FY2024–25. The sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.91 per cent since FY2022–23 and supports approximately 1.76 million livelihoods across healthcare, wellness, education and related services.
Women’s participation across Ayush services
The Ayush Service Sector Report, released around Ayurveda Day 2026, highlights substantial female participation in organised establishments. Women account for more than 60 per cent of the workforce in spas and wellness resorts, 58 per cent in educational institutions, 57 per cent in day-care centres and 53 per cent 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 also highlighted its potential to support entrepreneurship, skill development and women’s workforce participation.
More than one million livelihoods are concentrated in local and standalone clinics, reflecting the sector’s broad employment footprint across urban and rural areas. Ayush services are increasingly contributing to healthcare delivery, wellness programmes and related economic activities.
Clinics and Ayurveda lead the sector
Standalone clinics are the largest revenue-generating segment, contributing an estimated US$16.21 billion, or 43.9 per cent of total sector revenue. Day-care centres contribute another US$10.13 billion. Together, the two segments account for more than 70 per cent of the sector’s revenue, according to the assessment.
Ayurveda is the largest individual system within the sector, generating an estimated US$17.73 billion, equivalent to around 48 per cent of total Ayush services revenue.
Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said the expansion of organised services, supported by quality standards, skills development, digital infrastructure and stronger institutional networks, could improve employment opportunities and service delivery. He also noted the potential for greater participation of women to contribute to inclusive economic growth.
Wellness and medical travel expand
The wellness segment recorded a compound annual growth rate of 21.29 per cent, while Yoga centres reported around 75 per cent revenue growth over two years. The report links these trends to increasing demand for preventive healthcare and wellness services.
Ayush also contributes to medical value travel, generating an estimated US$1.77 billion in FY2024–25. International patients account for around 5 per cent of patient volumes but contribute an estimated 15–25 per cent of hospital-segment revenue. Therapeutic programmes typically involve stays of five to 11 days.
The assessment projects that the sector could grow from US$36.92 billion in FY2024–25 to between US$216 billion and US$318 billion by 2047. Potential employment opportunities span healthcare delivery, wellness, education, medical travel, research, digital health and allied services.
The findings point to the Ayush sector’s potential to expand employment and support women’s economic participation as India pursues its broader development goals under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
