Health is no longer simply equated to the absence of illness. Today, people increasingly aspire to live better, eat cleaner, move more, and feel mentally well. This shift can create opportunities for both consumers and investors.
Wellness investing includes everything from fitness apps to organic food, yoga retreats to mental health platforms. As the wellness trends gains attention, what is being dubbed as a ‘wellness economy’ has emerged.
Viewed through an investment lens, wellness is increasingly being recognised as a megatrend—one that reflects long-term structural shifts in how people live, consume, and prioritise health. This is giving rise to new avenues within megatrend investing, where wellness-focused businesses and sectors may align with durable lifestyle transformations.
Wellness as a trillion-dollar economy: Global and Indian outlook
The wellness sector is growing rapidly across the globe. It includes various areas like healthy food, personal care, fitness, preventive healthcare, meditation, and wellness tourism.
- Globally, the wellness economy is estimated to be worth over $5.6 trillion as of 2023, according to the Global Wellness Institute, and is expected to grow steadily.
- In India, the market is projected to reach approximately $72 billion by 2025, driven by rising demand and digital access.
- Urban lifestyles, rising income levels, and greater health awareness are pushing this growth. Apart from being a personal goal, wellness is seen as a long-term lifestyle investment.
Sources: Global Wellness Institute (2023); FICCI and EY wellness reports
Trends in healthy eating, preventive care, and mental wellness
Health and wellness trends are changing how people spend money. The focus is shifting from treatment to prevention. This means more people are:
- Choosing sugar-free, low-carb foods
- Going for annual health check-ups
- Using apps that track sleep, stress, or calorie intake
- Joining online therapy sessions or meditation groups
This rise in demand has led to the emergences of businesses offering clean labels, natural ingredients, and customised health plans.
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Rise of fitness tech, nutraceuticals, and wellness real estate
The fitness industry in India is becoming more digital and inclusive. Whether it’s a fitness tracker or a virtual yoga class, health tech is an emerging and growing domain. Some important developments:
- Fitness apps and wearables are helping users monitor their activity in real time.
- Gyms are offering hybrid models with both offline and online training.
- The nutraceutical market is booming. As the name suggests, nutraceuticals (nutrition + pharmaceuticals) are products derived from food sources that provide potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These include protein powders, herbal supplements, and vitamin mixes.
- Wellness real estate is also growing. These are homes or communities designed around natural, clean surroundings.
All these areas are part of the broader wellness investing theme. They offer scalable business models with recurring revenue and loyal customers.
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India’s role: Ayurveda, organic food, and yoga economy
India is playing an important role in the wellness wave. Many of its age-old practices are now becoming part of modern health routines.
- Ayurveda startups are combining traditional knowledge with scientific research.
- The organic food market in India is expanding, with more people looking for chemical-free produce.
- Yoga is now seen as a wellness and lifestyle choice across age groups and is seeing increased global adoption.
- Wellness tourism, i.e. visiting spas, retreat centres, and Ayurvedic resorts, is also on the rise.
India’s unique advantage lies in its rich natural heritage, which is now being packaged in modern formats.
Companies tapping into the wellness economy
Several brands and businesses are tapping into this trend and building long-term value.
- Online platforms offer live fitness, meditation and yoga sessions
- Food startups make plant-based, vegan, or organic snacks
- Health tech firms offer preventive tests and personalised care plans
- Ayurveda startups offer herbal teas, oils, skincare products, etc.
- Large FMCG companies are entering the organic food market and launching wellness sub-brands
As more people see wellness as a priority, the space has the potential for significant expansion.
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Investing in a healthier future
Wellness is now seen as a way of life, a sum total of the big and small choices that people make towards their health. In it lies a new theme in business and investing. The opportunities in wellness investing are growing. From health and wellness trends to the fitness industry in India, from Ayurveda to organic farming, the movement is touching lives across age groups, cities, and income levels.
Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.
This document should not be treated as endorsement of the views/opinions or as investment advice. This document should not be construed as a research report or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. This document is for information purpose only and should not be construed as a promise on minimum returns or safeguard of capital. This document alone is not sufficient and should not be used for the development or implementation of an investment strategy. The recipient should note and understand that the information provided above may not contain all the material aspects relevant for making an investment decision. Investors are advised to consult their own investment advisor before making any investment decision in light of their risk appetite, investment goals and horizon. This information is subject to change without any prior notice.
The content herein has been prepared on the basis of publicly available information believed to be reliable. However, Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Ltd. does not guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness or warrant such information will not be changed.The tax information (if any) in this article is based on current laws and is subject to change. Please consult a tax professional or refer to the latest regulations for up-to-date information.
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