With nearly 2 million international patients arriving in India for treatment from about 78 countries annually, the medical tourism sector in India is on an upward swing.
From 6.1 million international patients arriving into the country in 2023, the number jumped to 7.3 million international patients arriving in the country 2024. India with just 8 percent share of the international patient market is slated to reach much higher becoming a prominent global healthcare destination.
Indian medical tourism market valued at $18.2 billion in 2025, is estimated to reach $58.2 billion by 2035, according to a report by KPMG India and Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association. International patients are keen on coming to India because its doctors are renowned world over, the treatment is nearly 60-80% less expensive compared to procedures in the US or Europe and there is virtually no compromise on quality.
A heart bypass surgery might cost around $100,000 in the US, but only $5,000-$7,000 in India. Indian hospitals mostly in the metropolitan cities have latest cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, including robotic surgeries and AI-driven diagnostics.
Those who can afford in foreign countries would prefer to get a procedure done in India rather than waiting for their chance in the long waiting lists in their own countries. Major Indian healthcare chains such as Max Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis, are today catering to a patient clientele worldwide from developing countries like south Asia, Africa, west Asia to developed countries like Europe and UK.
In the Medical Tourism Index ( ranking countries based on the appeal of the destination, healthcare systems, and service quality) India holds the 10th rank (out of 46) globally offering international patients savings of 60 to 90 percent on treatments. Canada tops the index due to its proximity to the United States (UN) and its world-class healthcare system, followed closely by Singapore.
The international medical tourism market has increased exponentially, from US $ 32.02 billion in 2021 to estimated US $ 54.43 billion by 2026. India’s large number of qualified and English-speaking doctors, advanced diagnostic infrastructure has been to its advantage.
Interestingly the fact that it offers both modern and traditional medical treatments, including Ayurveda and Yoga, have made it a more attractive destination from health care point of view.
India’s healthcare system in 2025 is on par with the best medical tourism destinations, including Thailand, Singapore, and Türkiye, owing to globalisation. India has been placed seventh among the world’s top 20 wellness tourism markets with over -560 lakh trips and earning roughly US$16.3 billion in revenues while holding the third rank among wellness-focused countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Leading medical tourism hubs include Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore. India is placed among the top 10 nations by the Medical Tourism Association. Most medical tourists come from Bangladesh nearly 54 percent. The government to boost medical tourism has developed a National Strategy for Medical and Wellness Tourism.
The government has launched Medical Value Travel (MVT) portal, expanded e-visa access, and targeted infrastructure investments in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. While emphasising medical tourism, the priority of the government must remain strengthening of the public health system which is in a poor condition as tries to cater to the large population of the common masses of the can meet country.
It is the private hospitals which primarily cater to the medical tourists who are ready to meet their hefty bills. The downside of medical tourism many feel is the moving of experienced staff to private medical facilities to serve wealthy domestic and foreign patients. In India a balance has to be maintained between requirements of international health care business cannot be at the cost of domestic healthcare requirements.