The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the Middle East and North Africa’s largest wellness economy, now valued at $34.1 billion, according to new data released by the Global Wellness Institute.
The report, unveiled ahead of the Global Wellness Summit set to take place in Dubai this November, shows that the UAE’s wellness sector expanded by an impressive 58% between 2019 and 2023—one of the fastest growth rates in the world. Among countries with wellness economies above $5 billion, the UAE ranks second globally in growth pace.
The findings are part of Global Wellness Institute's Geography of Wellness platform, which tracks the size and growth of national wellness markets. The UAE now leads the MENA region in several key categories, including wellness real estate ($1 billion), personal care and beauty ($14.4 billion), spas ($2.4 billion), and wellness tourism ($7.2 billion).
Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of Global Wellness Institute, credited the UAE’s rise to “bold vision and strategic investments in wellbeing.”
“The UAE’s wellness economy is not only the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, it is also one of the fastest-growing markets in the world,” Ellis said. “This speaks to the country’s commitment to making wellness an integral part of its economic and social fabric.”
The upcoming Global Wellness Summit 2024, scheduled from November 18 to 21 in Dubai, will focus on the future of wellness real estate, tourism, and longevity innovation—areas in which the UAE is rapidly becoming a global hub.
Ellis said the timing of the report aligns with growing international attention on Dubai as a destination for wellness tourism and investment.
“With momentum building toward the 2025 Global Wellness Summit in Dubai, it’s the perfect moment to highlight these impressive numbers and what they mean for the future of wellness in the region,” she added.
The Global Wellness Institute defines the wellness economy as encompassing eleven sectors—from fitness and nutrition to mental wellness, traditional medicine, and spas. Globally, the wellness economy was valued at $5.6 trillion in 2023, and is expected to surpass $8.5 trillion by 2027.
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