Jose Sanchez
Research expert covering society, economy, & politics for Latin America
Wellness industry - statistics & facts
Wellness is about feeling good, and finding balance in your mind, body, and everyday life. In recent years, more people around the world have begun to recognize the importance of wellness, a trend that has seen the value of the industry increase year-on-year. The health and wellness market size worldwide was estimated at over 6.8 trillion U.S. dollars in 2024, a figure that was set to increase to almost nine trillion U.S. dollars by 2028.
Wellness all over the world
Wellness tourism is the pursuit of mental and physical well-being through travel. The wellness tourism industry is expected to boom in the coming years, with the global market size forecast to triple between 2021 and 2028. Estimates suggested that the market would reach a value of over 1.35 trillion U.S. dollars by 2028. Millions of wellness tourism trips are undertaken across the globe every year, with over 560 million trips taking place in the Asia-Pacific region alone in 2024. In terms of the leading countries in wellness tourism expenditure, the United States sat on the top of the list, with spending within this industry exceeding 300 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.
Wellness in the workplace
Another growing segment within the wellness industry is corporate wellness services. This industry involves companies providing workplace programs to improve or support the health and well-being of their employees. The value of the corporate wellness market worldwide was forecast to grow from around 70 billion U.S. dollars in 2022 to over 146 billion U.S. dollars by 2033. North America was the largest regional market for workplace wellness, followed by Europe; in both regions, the industry was estimated to be worth over 19 billion U.S. dollars.
Virtual wellness straight to your smartphone
Virtual and online wellness is also a growing industry, as increasing numbers of consumers are accessing a wealth of wellness information directly on their smartphones. During the Statista Global Consumer Survey in 2024, the most common fitness and health online services that consumers in the United States spent money on were fitness, yoga, and training apps and health tracking apps. Globally, some of the leading health and fitness apps downloaded in the Google Play Store included weight loss apps and home workout apps. Overall, the mobile meditation app market size was projected to grow from just over three billion U.S. dollars in 2021 to almost 7.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2029.
Massage services to relax and unwind
For those seeking a less active way of looking after their health and well-being, massage services offer a range of treatments for the body and soul. The revenue of the massage therapy service industry in Europe was estimated at just over 24 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 and was set to almost triple in value by 2034. Over in the United States, some of the most common health reasons for getting a massage, as stated by consumers, were soreness and stiffness, as well as pain relief and management. As the demand for massages has gone up, so has the number of massage therapists in the United States. In 2023, there were over 320,000 people employed in this profession, up from less than 175,000 at the turn of the millennium.
Ultimately, wellness means different things to different people. However, with the wealth of options available in today's society, everybody can find a way to find their inner zen.
