Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ayush · PIB Delhi · Read the original release on pib.gov.in
- Women's participation in hospitals, day-care centres, educational institutions and wellness establishments exceeds 50 per cent
- AYUSH service sector is supporting 17.6 lakh livelihoods; Is becoming an important medium of employment and economic development
AYUSH service sector is creating new opportunities for employment and economic participation for women. According to recent assessments of the sector, women constitute 43 per cent of the total workforce in the AYUSH services sector. At the same time, women's participation in many organized sectors like hospitals, day-care centres, educational institutions and wellness establishments is more than 50 percent.
AYUSH service economy includes Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy. The estimated size of the AYUSH service sector in the year 2024-25 was US$ 36.92 billion. An annual average growth rate (CAGR) of 16.91 percent has been recorded in this sector from the year 2022-23. The sector directly supports approximately 17.6 lakh livelihoods across healthcare, wellness, education and allied sectors.
Highlighting the growing employment opportunities in the AYUSH services sector, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare said, "The expansion of the AYUSH services sector is creating new employment opportunities in healthcare, wellness, education and other allied sectors. Its expansion is not only strengthening India's health system, but is also opening up new opportunities for entrepreneurship, skill development and participation of women in the workforce."
On the occasion of Ayurveda Day 2026, R.I.S. According to the AYUSH Service Sector Report released by (RIS), women's participation in organized AYUSH institutions is particularly important. Women's share is more than 60 percent in spa and wellness resorts, 58 percent in educational institutions, 57 percent in day-care centers and 53 percent in hospitals.
These figures of the report show the increasing role of women in health services, education, wellness and other related areas in the AYUSH services sector. Over 1 million livelihoods are linked to locally and independently run clinics. This shows that the employment impact of the AYUSH sector is widespread in cities as well as rural areas.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, said, "Expansion of organized AYUSH services supported by quality standards, skill development, digital facilities and strong institutional networks can increase both the number and quality of employment opportunities. Greater participation of women in organized AYUSH institutions also shows that the sector can significantly contribute to inclusive economic growth."
Independent and local clinics remain the highest revenue generating segment in the AYUSH services sector. These generate approximately US$16.21 billion, i.e. 43.9 percent of the total sector revenue. Day-care centers generate approximately US$10.13 billion in revenue. Taking both the sectors together, their share in the total revenue of the AYUSH services sector is more than 70 percent.
Ayurveda is the largest sector among the major medical systems of AYUSH and generates approximately US$ 17.73 billion, i.e. about 48 percent of the total revenue of the AYUSH service sector.
The wellness sector is also growing rapidly. The sector has recorded an annual average growth rate of 21.29 percent. At the same time, the revenue of yoga centers has increased by about 75 percent in two years. This reflects the increasing demand among people for services related to disease prevention and healthy lifestyle.
AYUSH sector is also progressing rapidly in the field of Medical Value Travel (MVT). In the year 2024-25, it generated revenue of about US $ 1.77 billion. The number of foreign patients is about 5 percent of the total patients, but their contribution to the revenue of the hospital sector is about 15 to 25 percent. Patients usually stay for 5 to 11 days in AYUSH related treatment services.
According to the assessment, the size of the AYUSH service sector may increase from US$ 36.92 billion by the year 2024-25 to US$ 216 to 318 billion by the year 2047. This is likely to create significant employment opportunities in healthcare, wellness, education, medical value travel, research, digital health and other related sectors.
The increasing participation of women in the AYUSH service sector and its growing economic and employment impact make it clear that this sector can make a significant contribution to the goal of women's economic participation, inclusive growth and Developed India@2047.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
