July 2025
The global medical tourism market size accounted for USD 35.78 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 252.94 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 21.60% from 2025 to 2034.
The U.S. medical tourism market size was estimated at USD 6.54 billion in 2024 and is predicted to be worth around USD 47.11 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 21.80% from 2025 to 2034.
North America region dominates the global medical tourism market in 2024. The market growth is attributed to the growing number of tourists in the U.S. for treatment of orthopedic and cardiological disorders. The U.S. spent $3,930 million on inbound medical tourism in 2019, as per the World Travel and Tourism Council study. This factor is boosting the growth of medical tourism market in North America region.
Europe is also leading the market with highest market share. The factors such as rising development of medical facilities and infrastructure in nations such as France, the U.K., and Spain and growing trend of medical tourism are spurring the growth of medical tourism market in Europe. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak, these countries saw huge substantial lose in the market.
The Asia-Pacific region is growing at a rapid growth rate in the global medical tourism market. The Asian countries are considered as top most nations for medical tourism and travel due to low cost of treatments. India is the world’s tenth most popular tourist place for medical tourism, according to the Medical Tourism Index. Furthermore, bypass surgery in India costs roughly $10,000 against $113,000 in the U.S. which quite low in price. As a result, this factor is boosting the growth of market in Asia-Pacific region.
The rising burden of diseases among the global population and the availability of advanced medical technologies for the treatment of various chronic health disorders is propelling the demand for the medical tourism, globally. The support and assistance provided by the tourism department and the government of the source and the host destinations is expected to significantly drive the market growth. People seeks medical tourism owing to the expensive treatment in their home country or non-availability of any treatment. Therefore, to attain fast medical attention and affordable medical treatment people tend to opt for medical tourism. Medical tourism witnessed huge traction owing to the globalization of the healthcare market. The easy flow of patients, health professional, medical technologies, and capital across the borders has fueled up the growth of the medical tourism market all over the globe. Moreover, the rising awareness regarding medical tourism and rising affordability of advanced medical treatments is a major factor behind the burgeoning demand for the medical tourism.
The rising investments by the government to build strong and advanced healthcare facilities is boosting the medical tourism market. The favorable government policies, rising investments on the development of air connectivity and other transport mediums, and government initiatives to promote medical tourism are the major factors that contribute in the development of the market. Moreover, the readily available information regarding treatments of various diseases, cost, and best destinations for the treatment plays a major role in spreading awareness regarding the medical tourism. Furthermore, lack of adequate number of specialized health professionals results in the increased medical tourism. Health professionals undertake tourism activities to perform certain surgery that requires special knowledge.
Report Highlights | Details |
Market Size in 2024 | USD 35.78 Billion |
Market Size in 2025 | USD 43.51 Billion |
Market Size by 2034 | USD 252.94 Billion |
Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR 21.60% |
Largest Market | North America |
Base Year | 2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025 to 2034 |
Segments Covered | By Treatment Type, By Service Providers, By Type, By Healthcare Service, and Regions |
Regions Covered | Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa |
People travel to different places for cancer treatment, cardiovascular disease therapy, dental treatment, orthopedic treatment, and neurological treatment. The worldwide medical tourism business is growing due to the simple availability of finances and financial resources. People can get health insurance and medical insurance from a variety of financial and insurance companies. Medical travel and tourism are covered by several insurance policies. Consequently, health and medical insurance will drive the global medical tourism market forward during the forecast period. Countries with high-quality healthcare infrastructure include the China, the UK, and the U.S. These countries also have cutting-edge and cutting-edge technologies that can be used in the healthcare sector. All of these factors are contributing towards the growth of global medical tourism market.
The COVID-19 pandemic was the major challenge for the growth of global medical tourism market. The global medical tourism market suffered huge losses due to lockdown and travel restrictions. No individual was allowed to travel from one country to other. As per the World Tourism Organization, the introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a worldwide fall of about 73% in travelers in 2020.
In addition, as per the World Tourism Organization, the arrival of travelers in the Asia-Pacific region decreased by 84% in 2020 compared to 2019. In addition, one of the key challenges limiting the medical tourism market’s expansion is a lack of appropriate follow up care. After having medical care overseas, many have trouble receiving follow up treatment in their native nation.
Every year, over 14 million individuals travel to other nations for medical treatment, according to the Medical Tourism Association. Thus, the growing number of tourists and travelers for regular checkups is driving the growth of global medical tourism market. Some of the regions have low cost for treatment of various kind of diseases. Such nations are Dubai, Singapore, and Thailand. Every year, Singapore receives 500,000 medical tourists with Indonesia accounting for half of them. As a result, growth in the number of medical tourists as well as need for cosmetic and medical treatments is expected in the near future. This factor is boosting the growth of global medical tourism market. Another factor propelling the growth of global medical tourism market is the low cost of operations and surgeries.
Medical care in Asian nations is quite low than in the private institutions in the U.S., according to the Medical and Health Tourism Congress. In Thailand, a heart surgery costs $13,000 as compared to $113,000 in the U.S. A hip replacement procedure in Thailand costs roughly $7,800 as compared to $50,000 in the U.S., as per Apollo Hospitals. In addition, the growing technological advancements in several nations are contributing towards the growth of global medical tourism market. Moreover, the growing trend of cosmetic surgeries is also driving the expansion of global medical tourism market.
Cosmetic surgery costs in the U.S. range from $4,500 to $12,500 on average. As a result, the vast number of people are desiring cosmetic surgery travel overseas to receive the same level of care at a 50% lower cost. Thus, all of these aforementioned factors are resulting towards the growth and development of global medical tourism market.
The cardiovascular treatment segment held the largest share of 21.40% in the 2024 medical tourism market. The medical tourism for cardiovascular treatment is fueled by its low cost, high-quality care, mainly in regions with enhanced medical infrastructure and early expertise. The developing regions likely provide significantly more affordable costs for cardiac surgery procedures in comparison to developed countries. This affordability has engaged the robust techniques, making medical tourism a seamless alternative to various individuals seeking low-cost, quality cardiovascular treatment.
The oncology (cancer treatment) segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.80% during the forecast period. The medical tourism for oncology is rapidly growing due to the prevalence of oncology disorders in many individuals. Likewise, the technologies and precision medicines and care have also entered the hospital and operating settings. Affordability has been achieved in certain regions, depending on local income levels. Medical tourism can enable access to effective cancer treatments, technologies, and therapies. The demand for this segment is rapidly growing in developed regions. If precision-based effective treatments and medicines reach every individual, regardless of their area and status, the segment could develop at every level.
The private service providers segment held the largest share of 74.10% in the 2024 medical tourism market. The private service providers, such as facilitators and hospitals, are essential for the progress and development of medical tourism. This segment rules the industry with its strategic marketing places, specialized services, and recommendations, leading travel arrangements. The private service providers play a crucial role in managing good patient engagement and experiences, and market medical tourism, contributing to the economic sector within the operating region or internationally. They earn largely according to the expansion of their services. Their specialized expertise and clinics, popularly for cosmetic and fertility treatment the scope rapidly uncovering new aspects of growth in the medical tourism industry globally.
The public service providers segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.50% during the forecast period. The public service providers, mainly the public government and hospitals efforts strengthen the backbone of the region’s healthcare system. Their huge support for the foundation of the healthcare infrastructure by providing affordable alternatives has contributed significantly to the regulatory trust in safety and quality for treatment. The powerful public sector engagement can form confidence in the region’s healthcare system. This will interest medical tourist and will help this segment to unlock new opportunities to develop more engagements and innovation targeting international-level treatments and integrating them into their field of honor with smart costing.
The 30-45 age segment held the largest share of 35.70% in the 2024 medical tourism market. The 30-45 age group demonstrates an exponential growth in the medical tourism industry globally. This age group largely opts for medical treatments overseas. More the cost of healthcare, majority-wise seems reliable. The influential mindset of this age group has helped developed countries to compete in the long run of the healthcare sector. The demand for specialized treatment is a trend among this segment. The merged medical procedures with leisure and travel are an attractive aspect of this market. This segment is a major reason for the growth of the medical tourism companies globally.
The above-60 age segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.90% during the forecast period. The senior population above 60 is accelerating the growth and development of medical tourism by bolstering factors such as quick service (eliminating waiting time), optional specialized care and treatments, and age concession at most of the hospitals and medical sectors. With the higher exemption limit, the senior population is the most advantaged group. The increasing senior population has more privileges and thus has begun to promote this market with the awareness and requirement of major treatments.
The international segment held the largest share of 64.30% in the 2024 medical tourism market. Traveling abroad across borders for surgeries and operations is a common practice for the high-income source population. This segment is fueled more due to the upper class's need for specialized treatments and has supported the medical tourism companies worldwide. International tourists rely on specialized professionals and advanced technology for their health. Other than this, numerous emergency operations are held across borders according to their severity of the conditions. In cases where a certain area or region is running out of sources or has limited access to patient care, this segment is the only option to treat life-threatening conditions.
The domestic segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.60% during the forecast period. The domestic medical tourism is flourishing on the recommendation basis. The patient relies on local hospitals or facilitators they trust. The patient travels within their region for better healthcare services and treatments. The quality of care for many individuals is essential, especially in rural areas. The medical travel represents patients' trust and confidence in the healthcare providers of the locality, respectively. The rebuilding of the patient’s health is a win for this segment and has the potential to serve on the largest platform. The beneficial rights of the skilled local will help strengthen the healthcare sector in all ways.
The self-paying patients segment held the largest share of 38.60% in the 2024 medical tourism market. This segment is a vital element of the medical tourism company. It has seamlessly made it convenient to seek quality healthcare services internationally, rapidly contributing to the growth of the medical tourism industry. The increasing demand for procedures such as orthopaedics, dental work, and cosmetic surgery led to the expansion of medical tourism locations. The trend of this segment is elevated by time and increased healthcare costs in developed regions. This made medical tourism interesting to a vast population with its cost-effective treatments.
The government-sponsored insurance programs segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.20% during the forecast period. The government's current initiatives for medical tourism look promising, and the economic contribution is steadily helping most of the local income and seniors prominently. By initiating improvement in mechanical visa policies and leveraging funding for the healthcare market, the governments of several regions are putting efforts to enable affordable and accessible healthcare in developing and rural regions. The segment demonstrates rights and awareness of treatments for every individual seeking effective healthcare services and safety. The health security and safety are rising among the geriatric population, so the demand for this segment in this market is also expanding.
The market is moderately fragmented with the presence of several local companies. These market players are striving to gain higher market share by adopting strategies, such as investments, partnerships, and acquisitions & mergers. Companies are also spending on the development of improved products. Moreover, they are also focusing on maintaining competitive pricing.
The various developmental strategies like acquisition, partnerships, mergers, and government policies fosters market growth and offers lucrative growth opportunities to the market players.
By Treatment Type
By Service Providers
By Age Group
By Tourist Type
By Insurance Coverage
By Type
By Healthcare Service
By Geography
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