
Study Period | 2021 - 2030 |
Market Size (2025) | USD 93.72 Billion |
Market Size (2030) | USD 218.16 Billion |
CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 18.41 % |
Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Largest Market | North America |
Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players![]() *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Medical Tourism Market Analysis
The Medical Tourism Market size is estimated at USD 93.72 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 218.16 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 18.41% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The key drivers of the market's expansion are the significant treatment expenses in developed nations, advancements in medical technology and health services in developing regions, the increasing medical procedures adopted by medical tourists, and increasing adherence to international quality standards.
Developing nations are witnessing a surge in medical tourism, primarily due to their significantly lower medical treatment costs. In contrast, developed countries grapple with elevated medical expenses. Factors contributing to affordability in developing nations include reduced labor costs, streamlined regulatory and administrative processes, and lower overhead expenses in healthcare. For instance, as per the latest article published by Medical Tourism Corporation in July 2024, cancer treatment costs between USD $7,000 and $11,000 in countries such as India and Turkey. In stark contrast, as per the same source mentioned above, the expenses in the United States can exceed $100,000. Thus, cost-effective treatments in the developing countries are expected to help expand their medical tourism market size and drive regional growth.
Market growth is expected to surge, driven by the rising trend of acquisitions among market players. For instance, in September 2024, EaseMyTrip.com acquired a 49% share in Pflege Home Healthcare and a 30% share in Rollins International, marking its entry into the medical tourism industry. This initiative seeks to incorporate wellness and healthcare services into its travel offerings. Additionally, in March 2023, the Medical Tourism Association, in collaboration with Global Healthcare Resources and the International Healthcare Research Center, initiated the first Medical Tourism Moonshot to address the major challenges hindering access and expansion in medical tourism. These initiatives aimed at promoting the development of advanced medical devices are expected to enhance the appeal for foreign patients seeking advanced medical care, thus contributing to market growth.
Thus, the increased treatment and healthcare expenses in developed nations and market player strategies drive the demand for medical tourism, which is anticipated to boost market growth throughout the forecast period. However, challenges related to patient aftercare, complications following procedures, and the transfer of medical records are likely to hinder the market growth.
Medical Tourism Market Insights and Trends
By Treatment Type, Bariatric Surgery Treatment Segment is Anticipated to Lead Growth Statistics Within the Medical Tourism Market
Bariatric surgery is conducted on people suffering from severe obesity to facilitate substantial weight loss when other approaches, like diet and exercise, have not worked. This surgical procedure modifies the digestive system, limiting food consumption and changing nutrient absorption. The bariatric surgery segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate, witnessing a CAGR of 19.19%. The market of bariatric surgery segment of treatment type is forecasted to be USD 6.3 billion in 2024 and reach USD 15.1 billion by 2029. The increasing prevalence of obesity and its associated risks are anticipated to significantly influence the market and boost the demand for bariatric surgery globally. For instance, the data published in the World Obesity Atlas 2024, reported that by 2035, 79% of adults who are overweight or obese will live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Afghanistan and Bangladesh, among others. Additionally, as per the above-mentioned source, it was anticipated that over 750 million children aged 5 to 19 globally will be classified as overweight or obese based on their body mass by 2035. This is equivalent to approximately two out of every five children worldwide, with most in middle-income countries such as China, India, Turkey, and others. Hence, the significant prevalence of obesity in low and middle-income countries and middle-income countries is anticipated to boost the demand for cost-effective bariatric surgery, fuelling the segment growth. The low treatment cost associated with bariatric surgery in developing countries is expected to attract patients from developed countries, thus boosting the market's growth. For instance, an article published by the Medical Tourism Corporation in March 2024 mentioned that various patients from Western countries, including the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland, travel to India for sleeve gastrectomy surgery. This trend is primarily driven by cost effective options, skilled bariatric surgeons, high-quality hospitals, and no wait times. Thus, due to such factors, patients are likely to opt for developing countries for bariatric surgery, thus contributing to segment growth.

The Cosmetic Treatment Segment is Anticipated to Experience Substantial Growth Throughout the Forecast Period
By treatment type, medical tourism industry statistics forecast cosmetic treatment segment to hold the largest market share, projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.66% from 2024 to 2029, with estimated market size values of USD 10.5 billion by 2024, reaching an estimated value of USD 24.6 billion by 2029.
Medical tourism is a crucial aspect of cosmetic treatment as it allows people to obtain top-notch cosmetic procedures at a significantly lower cost than in their home countries. Countries, especially in Southeast Asia and Latin America, gained a strong reputation for delivering excellent cosmetic services at affordable prices. This price benefit frequently attracts medical tourists from expensive healthcare systems in North America, Western Europe, and other developed areas. Additionally, the increasing number of cosmetic surgical procedures globally drives the segment growth.
The medical tourism market is segmented by treatment type. By treatment type, the market is segmented into cosmetic treatment, dental treatment, cardiovascular treatment, orthopedics treatment, bariatric treatment, fertility treatment, ophthalmic treatment, cancer treatment, neurology treatment, pneumology treatment, ear, nose and throat treatment, obstetrics and gynecology treatment and other treatments. Other treatment types encompass organ, cell, and tissue transplantation, care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and rehabilitation tourism for substance use disorders, among various others. This segmentation aids in identifying target markets, customizing services, and creating effective marketing strategies to address the needs of various patient groups worldwide.
Asia Pacific is Anticipated to Capture a Substantial Medical Tourism Market Share Throughout the Forecast Period
The Asia Pacific medical tourism market growth rate is forecast to witness a CAGR of 22.38% during 2024-2029, with projections valuing it at USD 27.24 billion in 2024 and rising to USD 74.76 billion by 2029. The medical tourism market in Asia Pacific is projected to expand during the forecast period due to various factors, including the government's rising focus on promoting medical tourism with high-quality services, reduced cost of medical treatment as compared to many other developed countries and cost-effective treatment, and the presence of highly trained professionals.
The increasing government initiatives to promote medical tourism in the Asia Pacific countries are expected to boost this region’s health tourism market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in August 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs, India, created a new visa category, the Ayush Visa, for foreign nationals who are keen to visit the country for medical treatment, including therapeutic care, wellness, and yoga in India. Further, in March 2023, the Union Government of India launched a Heal in India campaign to promote India’s medical facilities and infrastructure with plans to standardize processes and treatment packages for foreign nationals. With this launch, the government intends to boost Indian health care globally and to make medical value travel (MVT) size 13 billion by 2026. Such initiatives are expected to boost medical tourism in India, as well as strengthen the endeavor of making Indian traditional medicine a global phenomenon. Consequently, these initiatives are poised to drive market growth in the Asia Pacific in the years ahead.
Moreover, as more patients flock to countries like South Korea, the demand for top-notch services and diverse treatment options surges, propelling the growth of the region's. For instance, according to the data published by the Ministry of Health, South Korea, in April 2023, it was observed that the number of foreign patients who visited the country for treatment in 2022 reached 248,000, with a rise of 70% as compared previous year. It further highlighted that about 22.3% of foreign patients visited South Korea for integrated internal medicine, including general internal and family medicine and infectious disease, followed by plastic surgery with 15.8%, dermatology with 12.3%, and physical check-ups with 6.6%. As per the above-mentioned source, the number of American patients who visited South Korea for medical treatment increased by 52.6% and Chinese by 56.8%. Thus, the rising number of patients seeking plastic surgery and dermatology treatments in the APAC countries is expected to increase the number of medical tourists, which, in turn, is expected to boost the market growth during the forecast period.
Thus, the Asia Pacific medical tourism industry is set for significant expansion, propelled by cutting-edge healthcare facilities, technological innovations, and government funding focused on improving healthcare services.
By geography, the global market is segmented into North America (United States, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East and Africa (GCC, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa), and South America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America). The East Africa and Asia Pacific regions, especially countries like China, Japan, and India, are witnessing significant growth due to several factors, including access to affordable treatment costs, the availability of cutting edge medical technologies, high-quality service, and increasing adherence to international quality standards.

Medical Tourism Industry Overview
The global health tourism market exhibits moderate competition with several key participants. The competitive landscape features an assessment of various recognized international and local companies, such as MedRetreat, Healthbase, Apollo Hospitals, KPJ Healthcare, Klinikum Medical, BB Health Solutions, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Fortis Healthcare Limited, NTT Medical Center Tokyo and Prince Court Medical Centre, possessing notable market shares. Market players are adopting strategic initiatives, such as partnerships, to drive growth during the forecast period.
For instance, in February 2024, KPJ Healthcare Berhad from Malaysia and Mayo Clinic established partnerships aimed at enhancing the country's medical tourism industry through the support of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Thus, such partnerships by the market players are likely to boost the medical tourism industry.
Medical Tourism Market Leaders
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Klinikum Medical Link
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Apollo Hospitals
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KPJ Healthcare Behard
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Healthbase
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the medical tourist.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Medical Tourism Market News
- October 2024: TransNusa achieved an important milestone by forming partnerships with Sunway Medical Centre and Asia OneHealthCare (Subang Jaya Medical Centre, and Ara Damansara Medical Centre), marking its entry into the medical tourism industry. These collaborations aim to provide TransNusa passengers with improved healthcare options, thereby expanding the airline's range of services.
- June 2024: Thailand and Bhutan signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on medical and tourism cooperation. The initial MOU was established between the Medical Services Department and the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan to promote academic and research collaboration and exchange medical professionals. The subsequent MOU focused on enhancing tourism collaboration between the two kingdoms.
- March 2024: the Egyptian government began formulating a comprehensive developmental plan aimed at transforming various unique locations into medical tourism destinations within the country.
- January 2024: Parexel collaborated with the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) to enhance the accessibility of oncology clinical trials in Japan, creating broader opportunities for patients to engage in cancer research.
Medical Tourism Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
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4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.2.1 High Treatment Cost in Developed Countries
- 4.2.2 Availability of the Latest Medical Technologies and High Quality of Service
- 4.2.3 Growing Compliance With International Quality Standards
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4.3 Market Restraints
- 4.3.1 Issues With Patient Follow-up and Post-procedure Complications
- 4.3.2 Medical Record Transfer Issues
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4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size by Value in USD Billion)
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5.1 Cosmetic Treatment
- 5.1.1 Dental Treatment
- 5.1.2 Cardiovascular Treatment
- 5.1.3 Orthopedics Treatment
- 5.1.4 Fertility Treatment
- 5.1.5 Bariatric Treatment
- 5.1.6 Ophthalmic Treatment
- 5.1.7 Cancer Treatment
- 5.1.8 Neurology Treatment
- 5.1.9 Pneumology Treatment
- 5.1.10 Ear, Nose and Throat Treatment
- 5.1.11 Obstetrics and Gynecology Treatment
- 5.1.12 Other Treatments
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5.2 By Geography
- 5.2.1 North America
- 5.2.1.1 United States
- 5.2.1.2 Canada
- 5.2.1.3 Mexico
- 5.2.2 Europe
- 5.2.2.1 Germany
- 5.2.2.2 United Kingdom
- 5.2.2.3 France
- 5.2.2.4 Italy
- 5.2.2.5 Spain
- 5.2.2.6 Rest of Europe
- 5.2.3 Asia-Pacific
- 5.2.3.1 China
- 5.2.3.2 Japan
- 5.2.3.3 India
- 5.2.3.4 Australia
- 5.2.3.5 South Korea
- 5.2.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.2.4 Middle East and Africa
- 5.2.4.1 GCC
- 5.2.4.2 South Africa
- 5.2.4.3 Rest of Middle East and Africa
- 5.2.5 South America
- 5.2.5.1 Brazil
- 5.2.5.2 Argentina
- 5.2.5.3 Rest of South America
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
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6.1 Company Profiles
- 6.1.1 MedRetreat
- 6.1.2 Healthbase
- 6.1.3 Apollo Hospitals
- 6.1.4 KPJ Healthcare Behard
- 6.1.5 Klinikum Medical Link
- 6.1.6 BB Health Solutions
- 6.1.7 Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital
- 6.1.8 Fortis Healthcare Limited
- 6.1.9 NTT Medical Center Tokyo
- 6.1.10 Prince Court Medical Centre
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
Medical Tourism Industry Segmentation
As per the scope of the report, medical tourism (also called medical travel, health tourism) is a term used to describe the rapidly growing practice of traveling across international borders to seek healthcare services.
The medical tourism market is segmented by treatment type and geography. By treatment type, the market is segmented into cosmetic treatment, dental treatment, cardiovascular treatment, orthopedics treatment, bariatric treatment, fertility treatment, ophthalmic treatment, cancer treatment, neurology treatment, pneumology treatment, ear, nose and throat treatment, obstetrics and gynecology treatment and other treatments. By geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America. The market report also covers the estimated market sizes and trends for 17 countries across major regions globally. For each segment, the medical tourism market size is provided in terms of value (USD billion).
Cosmetic Treatment | Dental Treatment | ||
Cardiovascular Treatment | |||
Orthopedics Treatment | |||
Fertility Treatment | |||
Bariatric Treatment | |||
Ophthalmic Treatment | |||
Cancer Treatment | |||
Neurology Treatment | |||
Pneumology Treatment | |||
Ear, Nose and Throat Treatment | |||
Obstetrics and Gynecology Treatment | |||
Other Treatments | |||
By Geography | North America | United States | |
Canada | |||
Mexico | |||
Europe | Germany | ||
United Kingdom | |||
France | |||
Italy | |||
Spain | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
Asia-Pacific | China | ||
Japan | |||
India | |||
Australia | |||
South Korea | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
Middle East and Africa | GCC | ||
South Africa | |||
Rest of Middle East and Africa | |||
South America | Brazil | ||
Argentina | |||
Rest of South America |
Medical Tourism Market Research FAQs
What is the medical tourism market trend?
The medical tourism market trend shows significant growth driven by factors such as high healthcare costs in developed countries, increased access to advanced care, and rising cosmetic and elective procedures.
What is the #1 medical tourism destination country in the world?
Thailand is recognized as the leading destination for medical tourism globally due to its blend of high-quality healthcare services, cost-effectiveness, and warm hospitality.
Which choice factors are most important to medical tourism consumers?
When selecting a medical tourism destination, travelers focus on several important factors, such as the cost of treatment, quality of healthcare, and availability of specialized treatments.
What are the top 10 medical tourism destinations in the world 2024?
Major medical tourism destinations in the world include India, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, Malaysia, Brazil, Costa Rica, and the United Arab Emirates.
What is the medical capital of the world?
Cleveland, Ohio, is referred to as the "medical capital of the world" because of its globally recognized healthcare facilities, especially the Cleveland Clinic.