India is rapidly becoming the world’s go-to destination for affordable, high-quality medical care, drawing thousands of international patients with its cutting-edge treatments, skilled doctors, and world-class facilities. The country’s rise as a top healthcare hub is fuelled by strong industry leadership, government support, and a growing demand for cost-effective medical solutions. These factors have placed India among the Top 10 medical tourism destinations globally.
India’s medical tourism market has shown strong growth, with an estimated market size of USD 8.71 billion in 2025 which is expected to grow to USD 16.21 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 13.23%, according to Mordor Intelligence. HFS Research predicts the market will expand even further, with a growth rate of over 20% between 2023 and 2027, potentially reaching USD 35 billion.
Beyond economic benefits, India’s medical tourism industry is helping to improve healthcare access and strengthen international ties. With advanced treatments, personalised care, and significant cost savings, India continues to attract patients seeking high-quality medical solutions at a fraction of the cost.
Medical tourism is the practice of travelling across borders to seek medical care, often driven by the promise of affordable treatments, world-class healthcare facilities, and shorter waiting times. It encompasses a broad spectrum of services, from life-saving procedures to wellness and rejuvenation therapies, offering patients a unique blend of medical excellence and holistic healing.
Medical tourism can be broadly classified into three key categories:
This includes curative procedures such as cardiac surgeries, organ transplants, orthopaedic treatments like hip and knee replacements, and other specialised medical interventions.
Countries like India offer access to ancient healing practices such as Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), providing natural and time-tested solutions for various ailments.
With the rapid evolution of the healthcare and tourism industries, Medical Value Travel (MVT) has emerged as a key growth driver. MVT goes beyond healthcare services, considering the economic impact and ancillary services such as hospitality, transportation, and cultural experiences that enrich the overall patient journey.
Several factors fuel the growth of medical tourism globally, including:
Affordability and accessibility of high-quality healthcare services.
Comprehensive hospitality services, ensuring a seamless patient experience.
Minimal waiting times, making it an attractive alternative to overloaded healthcare systems in developed nations.
Cutting-edge medical technologies and globally recognised accreditations, ensuring top-tier care.
Leading destinations for medical tourism include Thailand, Mexico, the U.S., Singapore, India, Brazil, Turkey, and Taiwan, with the global market estimated to be worth USD 60-80 billion, attracting around 14 million medical tourists annually.
India has firmly established itself as a key player, ranking 10th in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-21 among 46 global destinations. According to industry reports, India’s medical tourism market is projected to experience exponential growth, fuelled by cost-effective treatments, skilled professionals, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Wellness tourism, a major component of medical travel, is also experiencing significant growth. Countries like the U.S., Germany, China, France, and India dominate the wellness tourism landscape, with India’s rich heritage in holistic healing positioning it as a preferred destination for seekers of both modern and traditional medical solutions.
India’s booming medical tourism sector is a testament to its ability to deliver world-class healthcare at a fraction of the cost, offering a winning combination of affordability, quality, and holistic wellness experiences.
India has quickly become a global leader in medical tourism, with its market projected to grow at a rapid pace—an estimated USD 13 billion by 2026, up from USD 6 billion in 2020. The country’s medical tourism sector is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18-20% through 2025, reflecting its rising prominence. According to the Ministry of Tourism (2023), a significant portion of medical tourists originate from West Asia (22.7%), Africa (21.2%) and South Asia (19.8%), demonstrating India’s wide appeal. The India Medical Tourism Market is projected to soar to USD 14.31 billion by 2029, growing at a robust pace.
Key factors driving India's medical tourism success include:
Cost-Effectiveness: Treatments in India can be 50-70% more affordable than in Western countries, making high-quality healthcare accessible to a broader global audience.
Skilled Professionals: India is home to a large pool of internationally trained doctors and specialists, known for their expertise and success in performing complex medical procedures.
Accredited Hospitals: With over 40 Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited and 1,400 National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH)-accredited hospitals, India provides healthcare services that meet or exceed international standards. JCI accreditation is the world standard in global healthcare, and NABH is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India.
Technological Advancements: Many hospitals in India are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology, offering world-class diagnostic and treatment options.
Specialised Treatments: India is renowned for its expertise in high-demand specialities such as cardiology, orthopaedics, oncology, fertility, and cosmetic surgery. According to the 2021 report by the Medical Tourism Magazine, it ranks 4th globally for heart care, offering patients access to affordable, top-quality treatments.
Minimal Waiting Times: Patients can get fast-track appointments with minimal waiting time, unlike in many Western countries where delays are common.
Traditional Systems of Medicine: India uniquely combines modern healthcare with AYUSH, attracting patients seeking holistic wellness and treatment options.
Government Support: The Indian government has introduced several initiatives, including the “Heal in India” campaign and e-visas for medical tourists from over 165 countries, to promote medical tourism. In 2022 alone, it issued more than 650,000 medical visas to international patients. It has also launched the interactive “Advantage Healthcare India” portal to provide information to prospective medical tourists.
Cultural and Tourism Appeal: Beyond healthcare, India offers a diverse range of cultural and natural attractions, allowing patients to combine medical treatments with relaxation in serene locations like Kerala's backwaters or the Himalayan retreats.
India’s strong position in medical tourism is also enhanced by its large diaspora, the increasing demand from countries with ageing populations, and the potential for collaboration with other Asian regions that lack advanced medical facilities.
With these strengths, India continues to solidify its place as a premier global destination for medical tourism.
India is well-positioned to harness the growing global demand for medical tourism. The sector's expansion presents numerous opportunities for the country to strengthen its position as a healthcare hub:
Demand from Ageing Populations: As the global population ages, especially in developed countries, there will be a higher demand for healthcare services, providing India with a significant opportunity to cater to this growing need.
Rise in Wellness and Alternative Treatments: The modern, fast-paced lifestyle has led to a surge in demand for wellness and alternative therapies, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19. With India’s strong focus on AYUSH, it is uniquely positioned to attract medical value travellers seeking holistic healing and wellness solutions.
Long Waiting Times in Developed Countries: Many developed nations face long waiting times for medical treatments due to supply shortages. This opens a window for India, where patients can access timely treatment without delays.
Undeveloped Medical Facilities in Certain Countries: Many countries lack advanced medical infrastructure, creating a demand for medical travel. India’s state-of-the-art healthcare systems can meet these needs, making it a prime destination for medical value travel.
Diaspora as Potential Clients: India’s large diaspora can combine visits to their home country with medical treatment, creating an additional influx of patients.
Improved Connectivity: Advancements in global air travel have made India more accessible than ever. Enhanced connectivity allows for seamless travel, encouraging more international patients to seek treatment in India.
These emerging opportunities create a vibrant landscape for India to become a global leader in medical tourism.
To unlock the full potential of India's medical tourism sector, the government is implementing a series of strategic initiatives aimed at positioning the country as the world's top destination for healthcare. With an ambitious goal to triple industry revenue to $13 billion within four years, the government has allocated an unprecedented US$ 28.7 billion for health and well-being—an increase of 137% from the previous year’s budget.
Key initiatives by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare include:
Medical Visa Expansion: Special medical visas have been introduced for tourists seeking healthcare in India, now available to citizens from 165 countries.
Integrated Feedback System:A streamlined, 'one-step' portal has been launched to gather testimonials from medical tourists, enhancing transparency and trust.
Heal in India Initiative: This flagship initiative aims to establish India as a global hub for medical and wellness tourism. Through an online portal, patients can access a comprehensive list of hospitals, treatment costs, visa application details, grievance redressals, and feedback channels. Additionally, it will feature a database of healthcare professionals, allowing medical experts to explore overseas opportunities and further expand India’s influence in global healthcare.
The Ministry of Tourism has also introduced several initiatives to enhance India's appeal as a medical tourism destination:
Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme: This scheme provides financial support to approved tourism service providers, ensuring a well-connected network of accommodations and facilities for medical tourists.
Promotional Campaigns:India’s rich healthcare offerings, including Yoga, Ayurveda, and wellness treatments, are being actively promoted in international markets through brochures, CDs, and digital media under the "Incredible India Campaign." Over the past two years, these efforts have been reinforced across print, electronic, and outdoor platforms to attract a global audience.
Through these proactive measures, the Indian government is steadily strengthening the nation’s medical tourism infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to providing world-class healthcare services to international patients.
India's 10th rank in medical tourism among 46 countries underscores its strong potential to become a top destination. To catch up with leaders like Canada and Singapore, India must enhance medical infrastructure, streamline visas, collaborate with insurers, and strengthen healthcare BPO and legal frameworks. Partnerships between healthcare providers and IT firms can boost patient experiences and drive growth. With rising post-Covid demand and government-backed initiatives, India is well-positioned to attract global medical tourists, generate over $13 billion in forex, and create valuable jobs, making it a future hub for medical tourism.
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