MTT Editorial Team
India is fast emerging as a leading destination for medical tourism, attracting patients from around the globe in search of advanced healthcare at significantly lower costs than those in Western nations.
Whether it’s intricate cancer surgeries, joint replacements, or rare orthopedic procedures, Indian hospitals are increasingly becoming the go-to option for people who face limited treatment options or long waits in their home countries.
Despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s medical tourism industry remained resilient, reaching an estimated value of $7.69 billion in 2024. According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the sector is expected to grow further, potentially hitting $14.31 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 14–15%.
This growth is being propelled in part by recent policy changes. The Union Budget 2025–26 introduced more relaxed visa rules, making it easier for international patients to travel for medical treatment. Combined with India’s reputation for offering high-quality care at affordable rates, these changes are expected to draw even more patients in the years to come.
Medical tourism is also spreading beyond India’s major cities, with smaller towns increasingly equipped to provide advanced treatments. In 2024 alone, the country received around 7.3 million foreign medical tourists.
On the global scale, India ranks 10th among 46 nations in the Medical Tourism Index for 2020–21, offering medical procedures at 60–80% lower costs than countries like the US. This price advantage is particularly appealing to patients from the UK, where many face long NHS wait times and rising healthcare expenses. In fact, treatment in India can be up to 70% cheaper than in the UK.
Data from India’s Ministry of Tourism (2023) reveals that medical tourists came predominantly from West Asia (22.7%), followed by Africa (21.2%) and South Asia (19.8%).
India’s appeal lies not only in its affordability but also in its skilled medical professionals, advanced surgical technologies, and world-class hospitals. For many patients, India represents more than just cost savings—it offers a renewed sense of hope when other healthcare systems fall short.