UAE Wellness Economy Reaches US$40.8bn, Fastest Growth in the MENA Region

The latest figures show the UAE’s wellness economy expanded by 14.3 per cent between 2019 and 2024, marking the fastest growth rate in the MENA region over the period. The updated valuation builds on data published earlier this year and forms part of GWI’s ongoing Geography of Wellness research series.

The report highlights the UAE’s top regional ranking across several major wellness sectors, based on 2024 data. These include wellness real estate, valued at US$1.4 billion; personal care and beauty, which accounts for US$14.8 billion; and spa revenue, totalling US$2.9 billion. Together, these segments reflect the breadth and maturity of the country’s wellness ecosystem.

Beyond these established categories, the UAE is also home to some of the region’s fastest-growing wellness segments. Public health and prevention, personalised medicine, physical activity and workplace wellness are all expanding at a quicker pace in the UAE than in other MENA markets, according to the study.

Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute, said the momentum is particularly strong in wellness-focused real estate. She noted that the sector grew by 22.8 per cent between 2019 and 2024, driven by rising demand for lifestyle-led, health-oriented developments. With several large-scale projects in the pipeline, she added that the sector is positioned for further growth in the coming years.

Wellness tourism is also emerging as a key contributor. The report shows the UAE’s wellness tourism sector recorded a compound annual growth rate of 23.5 per cent over the same period, a trend GWI links in part to the country’s broader tourism strategy and investment in destination experiences.

The full 2019–2024 analysis is available through the Global Wellness Institute’s Geography of Wellness platform, offering a detailed breakdown of sector performance and regional comparisons.