The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the Middle East’s leader in the wellness sector, with its wellness economy valued at $34.1 billion, according to the inaugural report by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). This positions the UAE as the largest wellness market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Key Highlights:
Significant Growth: Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE’s wellness economy experienced a remarkable 58% growth, outpacing most global markets. Among countries with wellness economies exceeding $5 billion, the UAE recorded the second-fastest growth rate worldwide.
Sector Leadership: The UAE ranks first in the MENA region in several wellness markets as of 2023, including:
Personal Care & Beauty: $14.4 billion
Wellness Tourism: $7.2 billion
Spas: $2.4 billion
Wellness Real Estate: $1 billion
Strategic Vision: The UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, launched six years ago, positioned wellness as an essential pillar of national development. Private sector partners, such as Aldar, are helping turn this vision into reality through bold investments in wellness communities, real estate, and hospitality.
This growth underscores the UAE’s commitment to becoming a global hub for wellness innovation, real estate, and tourism. The upcoming Global Wellness Summit (GWS) in Dubai, scheduled for November 18-21, will further highlight these developments. The event will be held at the newly opened Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, with a full list of confirmed speakers available on the GWS website.
Source: Global Wellness Institute
