India will need nearly 2.9 million additional hospital beds and 2.6 billion square feet of healthcare real estate by 2035 to address growing demand for medical services, according to a report by real estate consultancy CBRE South Asia.
The report, titled Beyond Core: A 2035 View of India’s Alternate Sectors, highlights the need for substantial investment in hospital infrastructure and the expansion of healthcare facilities across the country.
Hospital Bed Availability Below Global Average
India currently has approximately 1.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people, compared with the global average of 3.3 beds. The report estimates that the country’s healthcare real estate footprint, valued in terms of physical space at around 2.1 billion square feet in 2025, will need significant expansion to meet future requirements.
The projected demand creates opportunities for real estate developers, healthcare providers and institutional investors to develop new hospitals and expand existing medical facilities.
Regional Disparities in Healthcare Infrastructure
CBRE identified considerable differences in healthcare infrastructure across Indian states.
Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have relatively low hospital bed availability compared with their disease burden, indicating gaps in access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
In contrast, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have comparatively stronger healthcare infrastructure, supported by higher household incomes.
Healthcare Expansion to Drive Real Estate Demand
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO for India, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa at CBRE, said the healthcare sector represents a significant real estate opportunity due to rising demand for medical services and the need for a more extensive healthcare network.
The report indicates that expanding hospital capacity and improving the geographical distribution of healthcare facilities will be important to addressing India’s healthcare infrastructure requirements over the coming decade.