Medical Tourism Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Service (Medical Treatment {Cardiac Procedures, Oncology Procedures, Orthopedic & Spine Procedures, Dental Procedures, and Others}, Cosmetic Treatment {Cosmetic Procedures, Rejuvenation Procedures, and Others}, and Alternative Treatment), By Service Provider (Public and Private), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global medical tourism market was valued at USD 24.14 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth USD 29.26 billion in 2024 and reach USD 137.71 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 21.4% during the forecast period (2024-2032). North America dominated the global medical tourism market with a market share of 25.81% in 2023.

According to the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), around 14.0 million people globally travel to other countries every year to receive medical care. Drastic advancements in the healthcare industry, such as the launch of medical devices and non-invasive surgical procedures, are major factors responsible for increased medical tourism globally. Medical tourism has gained traction in the last few years among high-income countries such as the U.S.

Furthermore, patients from developed countries, such as the U.S. and the U.K., are traveling to less developed countries to access health services, mainly driven by the low-cost treatments available in emerging economies. In addition, both national governments and private business sectors in developing and developed nations have significantly promoted medical tourism as a potential source of foreign revenue.

Most people travel to different countries to seek medical care owing to the availability of advanced technology and highly trained professionals. This shift is also due to the fact that patients require quick medical service without a long waiting period.

Moreover, the availability of low-cost treatment for various conditions, such as knee replacement, dental, and cosmetics, among others, in Singapore, Thailand, and Dubai is proliferating the market value in these countries. For example, Singapore receives 500,000 medical tourists annually; half of the tourists are from Indonesia. Therefore, the growing rate of medical tourists coupled with the demand for medical and cosmetic procedures is anticipated to drive the medical tourism market growth during the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the market growth as most of the countries had imposed travel restrictions in 2020. Moreover, hospitals had suspended their non-essential medical procedures to focus more on treating COVID-19 patients, owing to which patient visits were reduced, ultimately impacting the market growth. However, during 2021 and 2022, the market stabilized as the majority of the services resumed and travel restrictions were revoked.

Medical Tourism Market Trends

Active Consumer Preference Towards Cosmetic Procedures

Growing awareness among individuals about the importance of personal care has led to greater demand for cosmetic procedures, such as body fat reduction and acne treatment. The common surgeries performed typically consist of liposuction, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, and gluteal augmentation.

• According to data published by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the total number of cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons increased by 11.2% in 2022. In 2022, approximately 33.7 million surgical and non-surgical procedures were performed globally, compared to about 30.3 million in 2021.

As COVID-19 cases started to decline in some countries and travel restrictions were eased, there has been an increase in demand for procedures that were delayed or postponed during the pandemic. Awareness among individuals about the importance of personal care has led to greater demand for cosmetic procedures such as body fat reduction and acne treatment.

According to surgeons from the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), there was an increase in the appointments for and treatments, such as facelift, eyelift, and others, despite the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2021. Additionally, the availability of trained professionals coupled with access to quality care is responsible for the rising preference for these procedures in other countries.

Thus, the growing preference for cosmetic treatments is resulting in increased patient visits to clinics, which is expected to boost the market's growth during the forecast period.

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Medical Tourism Market Growth Factors

Low-Cost Care for Surgeries to Boost Market Progress

The rise in healthcare costs in developed nations has become a burden for healthcare providers and patients. Also, regulations imposed on the healthcare system by governments in several countries are leading to delays in various procedures. This has urged people to travel abroad for medical care. Thailand is the leading destination for healthcare tourism, with well-developed and affordable healthcare infrastructure and highly skilled medical professionals.

• According to the data published by the International Trade Administration, the average medical tourist can save 25%-75% on several procedures and treatment options. For instance, a heart bypass surgery costs around USD 13,000, which is nearly nine times less when compared to the U.S. (USD 113,000).

Therefore, a higher rate of inbound health tourism in countries such as Thailand and India to receive affordable and quick medical care is contributing to the increased volume of surgeries. Additionally, the lower cost of advanced surgeries is a major factor boosting the market growth.

According to Apollo Hospitals data, a hip replacement surgery in Thailand costs around USD 7,800, compared to USD 50,000 in the U.S.

Increase Inbound Medical Travel to Augment Market Growth

Growing technological advancements in the healthcare industry in terms of medical devices, surgical procedures, wearables, and connected healthcare have urged end-users to adopt better healthcare facilities to improve the quality of patient care. Telemedicine, information & communication technology, and telehealth have opened doors for patients across the world to consult doctors, book appointments, and receive high-quality medical attention without hesitation.

This has increased inbound tourism in developing nations, such as Thailand, India, and many others. For instance, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, Thailand has been ranked fifth in terms of inbound medical travel after the U.S., France, Turkey, and Belgium. Therefore, the demand for low-cost treatment and availability of advanced medical infrastructure are contributing to the expansion of the market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Pandemic-Induced Travel Restrictions Hampered Market Growth

Medical tourism is solely dependent on patients’ ability to travel from one country to the other to receive medical treatments. However, the COVID-19 pandemic compelled governments to impose strict regulations regarding medical care abroad, which hampered the market's growth. For instance, according to the World Tourism Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic caused an almost 73% decline in tourist travel globally in 2020.

This negatively impacted the industry owing to a decline in the rate of medical procedures for international travelers. Asia Pacific was severely impacted due to travel restrictions, causing a decline in the number of tourists by 84% in 2020. Such a factor hampered the market value and is anticipated to take a longer duration to return to pre-pandemic growth levels.

Medical Tourism Market Segmentation Analysis

By Service Analysis

Lower Cost of Surgeries in Developing Countries to Boost Demand for Medical Treatment

Based on service, the market is segmented into medical treatment, cosmetic treatment, and alternative treatment. The medical treatment segment dominated the global market in terms of market share in 2023. Increased demand for medical procedures, such as dental, orthopedic, spinal, and cardiac, is contributing to the growth of the segment. Availability of advanced facilities & services in developing countries, such as India, Singapore, and Thailand, at a lower cost is encouraging tourists from high-income countries to opt for medical visas to visit these nations.

• According to the data published by the Ministry of Health in December 2023, India has witnessed a significant increase in medical tourists. The statistics published by MOH India state that the visits increased from 183,000 in 2020 to 504,000 in 2023.

However, as the restrictions have been eased in some countries, the uptake of these procedures is likely to surge, resulting in strong growth of the segment during the forecast period. Additionally, the cosmetic treatment segment is likely to flourish during the forecast period owing to the rising demand for enhancing aesthetic appearance, body fat reduction, and rejuvenation. Also, the launch of advanced medical devices for cosmetic procedures is another factor contributing to the growth of the segment.

By Service Provider Analysis

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Emergence of Private Players Offering Advanced Facilities to Boost their Demand among Patients

Based on service provider, the market is segmented into public and private. The private segment held a dominating medical tourism market share in 2023. The growing number of private service providers globally delivering world-class medical services has attracted several tourists. The availability of advanced medical infrastructure, increasing government support, constant technological advances, and value-based care at a lower cost are some major factors responsible for the dominance of private service providers in the market.

• According to the data published by the International Trade Administration, the Thailand government plans to invest in Phuket healthcare and convert it into a healthcare tourism hub by 2028. Thus, continuous support by the country’s government will advance the healthcare service offerings in the country, thereby increasing international medical visits and preferences.

However, the public service provider segment is anticipated to witness slower growth owing to the lack of funding received for medical treatment in some countries. For example, Canadians prefer private service providers as the majority of medical treatments are either not available or not funded in public hospitals.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

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The market size in North America stood at USD 6.23 billion in 2023. The regional market is characterized by the higher rate of tourists visiting the U.S. for medical treatments, such as cardiology and orthopedic procedures, thereby increasing the revenue margins of the medical service providers.

According to the data published by the International Trade Administration (ITA) 2023, education and health-related tourism in the U.S. totaled USD 4.20 billion in January 2023, an increase of approximately 11% compared to the previous year. Medical tourism, short-term workers, and education accounted for 29% of the total U.S. travel and tourism exports.

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Europe accounted for a leading position in the global market due to the growing availability of medical infrastructure and facilities for medical tourists in countries such as Spain, the U.K., Mexico, France, and Belgium.

• For instance, according to the data published by HealthCare, Inc., approximately 787,000 Americans are anticipated to travel abroad for dental and medical treatment in 2022. Mexico is the preferred destination for the U.S. outbound medical and dental travel markets owing to the lower prices of the services offered. The liposuction procedures performed in Mexico cost USD 2,500 compared to the U.S., which costs USD 6,000.

The market in Asia Pacific is projected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period owing to the high number of patients travelling to Asian countries for medical treatment due to the availability of low-cost facilities.

• For instance, according to the Medical Tourism Index, India is ranked 10^th on the list of popular destinations for healthcare treatments in the world. Also, bypass surgery in India costs around USD 10,000 as compared to the U.S., which costs USD 113,000. Moreover, countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea are expected to gain traction during the forecast period owing to the increased volume of patients for cosmetic procedures in these countries.

The Latin American market is expected to witness slower growth as the region is still in its early stages with respect to offering a robust medical infrastructure to foreign patients. The Middle East & Africa are among the famous destinations for healthcare tourism for cosmetic and rejuvenation procedures. Countries such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Turkey are popular destinations.

• For instance, according to the Dubai Health Authority report published in 2023, 674,000 medical tourists visited Dubai in 2022, of which 39% were from Asian countries, 22% were from Europe, and 21 % from Arab and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

List of Top Key Companies in Medical Tourism Market

Diverse Service Portfolio of Healthcare Providers at Lower Cost to Increase Volume of Medical Tourists

The global market is a fragmented one, with the majority of the medical service providers emerging from the Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern countries. A diversified service portfolio and the constant launch of new programs by healthcare providers are prominent factors responsible for the strong presence of reputed companies.

• For instance, in June 2022, the Greek Health Tourism Council (ELITOUR) entered into a definitive agreement with the Athens International Airport to promote health tourism. This agreement aims to contribute to the development of the visitor economy in Athens and ensure the development of Greek health tourism.

Bumrungrad International Hospital is one of the leading providers of medical services for international travelers. Such initiatives are likely to boost the medical tourism industry in Asian countries. Moreover, a strong emphasis on international tourists getting cosmetic treatments at a lower cost is anticipated to drive the profit margins of the service providers during the forecast period.

LIST OF TOP KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Bumrungrad International Hospital (Thailand)


• Apollo Hospitals (India)


• Bangkok Chain Hospital (Thailand)


• Fortis Healthcare (India)


• Asian Heart Institute (India)


• KPJ Healthcare Berhad (Malaysia)


• Livonta Global (India)


• Gleneagles Hospital (India)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• February 2024 – The Ministry of Tourism announced the launch of a unified platform for health tourism, with both healing and medical services. The Tourism Ministry will partner with international experts to identify Egypt’s healthcare tourism destinations and outline a unified health tourism strategy to receive investments in this market.


• January 2024 – Sunway Healthcare Group entered into a collaboration agreement with PT JCB International Indonesia, JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCB) subsidiaries, to promote medical tourism in Malaysia by introducing Sunway Healthcare Group’s services to more than 156.0 million JCB card members worldwide.


• May 2023 - Advantage Health Care India acknowledged Fortis Healthcare for making India a preferred healthcare tourism destination.


• April 2023 - The Rattinan Medical Centre, specializing in cosmetic surgery and laser treatments in Thailand, in collaboration with FICO Group, launched a new clinic to augment wrinkle-free medical tourism.


• January 2023 - The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) launched ‘Dubai in One day’, an innovative medical tourism package targeting international patients. DHA’s health initiative at the Arab Health 2023 aimed to allow international medical tourists to book procedures and access a wide range of tourism services within a few hours.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report includes detailed information regarding various insights and statistics of the market. Some of them are growth drivers, restraints, competitive landscape, and regional analysis. It further offers an analytical depiction of the global market trends and estimations to illustrate the market’s investment potential. The market is quantitatively analyzed from 2019 to 2032 to provide the financial competency of the industry. The information gathered in the report has been taken from several primary and secondary sources.

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Report Scope & Segmentation