India’s Medical Tourism Market May Nearly Double By 2030, Says Government

India is steadily emerging as a major global destination for medical tourism, with the country’s medical value travel (MVT) market projected to grow from an estimated $8.7 billion in 2025 to nearly $16.2 billion by 2030, according to the government.

The expansion comes amid rising global healthcare costs, long waiting periods for treatment in several countries, and increasing demand for both advanced medical care and preventive wellness services.

Globally, the medical value travel market, valued at nearly $115.6 billion in 2022, is expected to touch around $286.1 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10.8%.

“Across the world, rising healthcare costs, long waiting times, and the growing burden of lifestyle diseases are driving patients to seek treatment abroad,” an official statement said.

India’s growing appeal in the sector is being driven by a combination of comparatively affordable treatment, expanding healthcare infrastructure, internationally accredited hospitals, skilled medical professionals, and the integration of traditional wellness systems such as Ayurveda and yoga under the AYUSH framework.

The government said India’s medical value travel ecosystem rests on two major pillars—medical tourism for advanced clinical treatment and wellness tourism centred on AYUSH-based preventive healthcare systems.

“These two pillars address both advanced clinical treatment needs and the rising global demand for preventive healthcare,” the statement noted.

The country recorded 9.15 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2025, of which over 5.07 lakh visitors reportedly travelled specifically for medical treatment. Medical tourism currently accounts for nearly 5.5% of total foreign tourist arrivals.

According to official figures, Bangladesh remained the largest source country for medical tourists visiting India in 2025, accounting for more than 3.25 lakh arrivals. Other major countries included Iraq, Uzbekistan, Somalia, Turkmenistan, Oman, and Kenya.

Healthcare experts say India’s advantage lies not only in cost competitiveness but also in the availability of specialised treatment across fields such as cardiac surgery, oncology, organ transplantation, orthopaedics, fertility treatment, and minimally invasive procedures.

The government has also highlighted the role of policy initiatives in strengthening the sector. Measures such as digital facilitation systems, dedicated medical visas, and the AYUSH Visa scheme are expected to make access to treatment easier for international patients.

The AYUSH Visa initiative, introduced to facilitate travel for foreign nationals seeking traditional Indian systems of medicine, is seen as a key component in promoting wellness tourism.

India’s healthcare system is further supported by quality assurance and accreditation mechanisms aimed at improving patient confidence. Hospitals and healthcare institutions across the country increasingly seek accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), which lays down standards related to patient safety, clinical quality, and healthcare practices.

According to the government, internationally recognised accreditation systems are helping Indian hospitals build credibility among overseas patients.

India has also performed strongly in global medical tourism rankings. The country ranked 10th among 46 global destinations in the Medical Tourism Index 2020–21 and was placed fifth among the top wellness destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Officials say the integration of modern medicine with traditional systems such as Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy has created a unique healthcare offering that distinguishes India from several competing destinations.

The government has also announced plans to strengthen healthcare infrastructure further through the development of regional medical hubs. The Union Budget 2026–27 proposed the establishment of five such hubs integrating medical services, education, research, and wellness facilities.

According to the statement, each hub will include dedicated AYUSH centres and medical value travel facilitation centres to support international patients.

However, experts also caution that sustaining long-term growth would require continued investment in public health infrastructure, transparent pricing, patient safety standards, and stronger international outreach.

With rising global demand for affordable treatment and preventive healthcare, India’s medical tourism sector is expected to remain a significant contributor to both healthcare services and the broader economy in the coming years.