Indian Economy News

Women Account for 43% of Overall Ayush Services Workforce; Representation Exceeds 50% Across Several Organized Segments

The Ayush services sector is emerging as an important avenue for women’s workforce participation and employment, with women accounting for 43% of the overall Ayush services workforce and representation exceeding 50% across several organized segments. The sector, covering Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy, was estimated at Rs. 3.12 lakh crore (US$ 36.92 billion) in FY2024-25, registering a robust 16.91% CAGR from FY2022-23. It directly supports an estimated 1.76 million livelihoods across healthcare, wellness, education and allied services. According to the Ayush Service Sector Report, a study by RIS released on Ayurveda Day 2026, women account for more than 60% of the workforce in spas and wellness resorts, while representation stands at 58% in educational institutes, 57% in day-care centres and 53% in hospitals. Mr. Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, highlighted the sector’s growing role in creating employment opportunities across healthcare, wellness, education and allied services, while opening avenues for entrepreneurship, skill development and women’s participation.

The expanding Ayush services ecosystem is also strengthening its economic footprint across healthcare delivery, wellness, education and medical value travel. Standalone clinics remain the largest revenue-generating segment, contributing Rs. 1.37 lakh crore (US$ 16.21 billion), or 43.9% of total revenue, while day-care centres account for Rs. 85,659.28 crore (US$ 10.13 billion). Ayurveda remains the largest individual system, contributing Rs. 1.50 lakh crore (US$ 17.73 billion), or around 48% of total Ayush services revenue. The wellness segment recorded a 21.29% CAGR, while Yoga centres registered around 75% revenue growth over two years, reflecting rising demand for preventive health and wellness services. Medical Value Travel generated an estimated Rs. 14,967.12 crore (US$ 1.77 billion) in FY2024-25, with international patients contributing approximately 15-25% of hospital segment revenue. The sector is projected to expand to Rs. 20.53 lakh crore–Rs. 30.23 lakh crore (US$ 216–318 billion) by 2047, creating further employment opportunities across healthcare delivery, wellness, education, medical travel, research, digital health and allied services. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, emphasized that organized Ayush services supported by quality standards, skilling, digital infrastructure and stronger institutional networks can enhance employment and contribute to inclusive economic growth.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.