In their latest report, global real estate consultancy Knight Frank and their US partners Berkadia, noted that India is currently facing a deficit of 2 billion square feet of healthcare space to cater to its current population base of 1.42 billion people. The estimated need for additional beds to reach the recommended ratio of 3 beds per 1000 people stands at 2.4 million beds.
According to the report, India has a considerable gap between the number of hospital beds available in the country and the number of hospital beds required. India’s existing bed to population ratio is 1.3/1000 population (both private and public hospitals included), and there is a deficit of 1.7/1000 population, it added.
To cater to the existing population, there is an additional requirement of 2.4 mn beds. This disparity provides an opportunity for public and private players to expand their footprint in the healthcare industry in India.
The report added that as per government estimates, there are about 582 investment opportunities in medical infrastructure including hospitals valued at US$ 32bn. The hospital industry accounts for 80% of the healthcare market in India. Currently, India has an estimated 70,000 hospitals of which the private sector constitutes 63% of the total share, the report said.
India’s healthcare market was estimated to be at US$ 372 bn in 2022, a significant growth from US$ 73 bn a decade ago, in 2012, the report said. At this level and pace, India’s healthcare industry has grown at an annual average rate of 18% and got accelerated with pandemic as it challenged the healthcare sector by stretching the need for infrastructure and service delivery, therefore making it a trigger for transformation.
Global investments in healthcare related real estate has reached US$38 bn, accounting to 4.3% of total global real estate investments.
Expansion of India’s healthcare market
As part of the Sustainable Development Goals, India is committed to achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage. To achieve its goals, the policy makers in India have introduced schemes over the years pertaining to insurance as well as access to affordable healthcare services. India’s National Healthcare Policy (2017) aims to achieve government spending on healthcare upto 2.5% of the GDP.
Demand drivers of India’s healthcare industry
As per Knight Frank’s analysis, India is one of the fastest growing economies with high personal spending potential of individuals of which healthcare comprises a major share. Factors such as the gradual rise in an ageing population, increasing per capita incomes, growing health awareness and the penetration of health insurance drive the demand for the healthcare industry in India.
Additionally, there has been a growing incidence of lifestyle diseases in India led by cardiovascular diseases, which will heighten the demand for specialised healthcare.
India: Popular destination for healthcare tourism
India is emerging as one of the most affordable healthcare destinations in the world providing quality medical procedures at a relatively cheap cost. In the pre-pandemic years between 2014-2019, the inflow of foreign tourist arrivals on medical visas grew at a CAGR of 30%. It is noteworthy that despite the deficit in healthcare infrastructure in India, the country is an attractive market for healthcare tourism.
The report added that as per Medical Tourism Index (2020-21), India ranked 10th out of 46 destinations in the world. With an aim to improve medical tourism, India’s tourism ministry formulated a national strategy and roadmap for medical and wellness tourism in 2022 under the ‘Heal in India’ initiative with the primary objective to strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in the country.
Shishir Baijal, chairman and MD, Knight Frank India, said, “The challenge of India’s population to bed ratio, coupled with increasing population, underscores the pressing need for significant enhancement in the country’s healthcare infrastructure. Addressing this demand necessitates nearly doubling the current real estate capacity to adequately meet the expanding healthcare requirements of the population.”
“Post the pandemic, healthcare ranks amongst the mainstream avenues for investors looking for investments into long income generating assets. According to our Attitudes Survey, almost one-fourth of the Indian ultra-high net worth individuals had cited to invest in healthcare related assets in 2023. There is also an emerging opportunity for investments in medical research and development, to accentuate discovery of new drugs to navigate any future break out of pandemic inflicted diseases.”
The global healthcare sector remains buoyant and is expected to grow despite a challenging economic outlook. This comes as the global population shifts rapidly towards an ageing demographic, which is anticipated to drive demand for elderly care beds, particularly for full-time nursing care delivered in specialised facilities.
Investors have seized upon this trend, with North American capital contributing almost 68% of the funds deployed in the past year, while France and Belgium attracted the highest levels of cross-border investments. Recognising the potential of APAC’s ageing demographic, the private sector is actively exploring opportunities in response. Acquisitions of operating assets in the APAC care sectors reached a record high of US$2.8 billion in 2022.
Julian Evans, partner and head of healthcare, Knight Frank, said, “Broad in its coverage, the case for investment in the healthcare sector remains consistent not only across its various sub sectors but also across geographic borders. Supported by an ageing population across the globe and shifting demographic trends, the healthcare sector is seeing increased demand for long-term care facilities. Furthermore, as private equity, REITS and institutional investors continue to chase the strong, long income generated, there is growing interest in healthcare’s capabilities to aid ESG investing strategies.”
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