Global Wellness Institute Releases New Data on Thailand's Fast-Growing $46.5 Billion Wellness Economy

New research, made possible through continued partnership with BDMS Wellness Clinic, reveals Thailand's wellness economy grew 8.8% in 2025, with wellness real estate surging 66.7%—as global wellness leaders gather in Phuket for the 20th anniversary Global Wellness Summit.

PHUKET, Thailand, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the leading research and educational resource for the global wellness industry, today released new data revealing that Thailand's wellness economy reached $46.5 billion in 2025, continuing several years of strong growth. The new figures, released during the 20th anniversary Global Wellness Summit in Phuket, highlight Thailand's growing influence as a global wellness destination and a dynamic market for wellness investment and innovation.

According to GWI's latest research, Thailand's wellness economy grew by a robust 8.8% in 2025, following increases of 11.6% in 2024, 16.9% in 2023 and 15.3% in 2022 (with these exceptionally high growth rates reflecting a period of economic recovery after the pandemic-driven decline in 2020 and 2021). Thailand now ranks as the world's 26th largest wellness economy and ninth largest in the Asia-Pacific region.

The new data is part of GWI's Geography of Wellness initiative, which provides detailed economic insights into individual countries' wellness markets. Thailand's research is made possible through GWI's ongoing partnership with BDMS Wellness Clinic.

Wellness Real Estate Leads Thailand's Growth

Among the most striking findings is the rapid expansion of Thailand's wellness real estate sector, which grew an extraordinary 66.7% between 2024 and 2025, reaching $1.2 billion. This makes wellness real estate the country's fastest-growing wellness sector, with Thailand ranking first in the Asia-Pacific region and 11th globally for its wellness real estate growth in 2024-2025.

The surge reflects growing interest in integrating wellness into residential communities, hospitality developments and the built environment, as health and wellbeing become increasingly important considerations in how people live.

Thailand's thermal and mineral springs sector is another regional growth leader, expanding 12.9% between 2024 and 2025 and ranking fourth in Asia-Pacific and 17th globally for growth.

Several other sectors also recorded particularly strong growth, including:

• Spas: Up 19.6% to $2.3 billion in 2025, ranking 12th in Asia-Pacific for growth and 18th globally for market size.
• Healthy Eating, Nutrition and Weight Loss: Up 14.4% to $10.7 billion in 2025, ranking 6th in the Asia-Pacific region for growth.
• Personal Care and Beauty: Up 11.4% to $7.6 billion in 2025, ranking third in the Asia-Pacific region for growth.

Wellness tourism continues to be Thailand's largest wellness sector, valued at $14.5 billion in 2025, ranking 15th globally for market size. The country recorded 17.5 million inbound and domestic wellness trips, reflecting its enduring appeal to travelers seeking experiences that combine traditional healing practices, natural beauty, luxury hospitality and increasingly sophisticated medical wellness services.

"Thailand's wellness economy has demonstrated remarkable momentum over the past several years, and these latest figures show just how broad and dynamic that growth has become," said Susie Ellis, chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Institute. "From its world-renowned wellness tourism and spa industries to the extraordinary expansion of wellness real estate, Thailand is embracing wellness in ways that extend far beyond the traditional retreat or resort. It's especially meaningful to release this new research as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Global Wellness Summit here in Phuket. Bringing the world's wellness leaders together in Thailand underscores both the country's extraordinary wellness heritage and its increasingly important role in shaping the industry's future. We're deeply grateful to BDMS Wellness Clinic for its continued partnership in making this important research possible."

Dr. Tanupol Virunhagarun, Chief Executive Officer, Group 8, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS), said, "Through our vision, 'Thailand: The Land of Life', we aim to establish Thailand as a global wellness hub. We can build on our strengths in wellness tourism, sport and traditional Thai massage by applying scientific wellness across the industry. To raise the quality of services across the industry, we are also committed to developing Thailand's wellness workforce with the skills to put scientific evidence into practice and track health outcomes.

"At BDMS Wellness Clinic, we use science to understand each person's health risks and draw on their health data to create a personalized Wellness Life Blueprint," he continued. "This gives each person a plan for preventive care and a way to track their progress over time. The rapid growth of wellness real estate in Thailand also creates an opportunity to bring that approach into everyday life. At WellEra, our wellness complex in Bangkok scheduled to open in full in 2030, we are applying BDMS Wellness Clinic's expertise to the places people call home. That means designing for better indoor air quality and lighting, and making personalized preventive care easier for residents to access. Our aim is to help people stay healthier for longer."

Thailand: A Global Wellness Leader

Thailand's wellness economy draws on a distinctive combination of longstanding healing traditions and modern health and wellness innovation. Traditional Thai massage, herbal therapies, Buddhist spiritual practices and a cuisine rooted in fresh ingredients sit alongside world-class spas, wellness resorts and a rapidly expanding medical wellness sector offering advanced preventive healthcare, personalized medicine and longevity-focused services.

The country's position as a wellness leader is in the international spotlight this week as the Global Wellness Summit celebrates its 20th anniversary in Phuket, November 10–13, 2026. Bringing together leading voices from across the global wellness economy, the Summit explores the theme 'The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness,' examining the innovations, ideas and cultural traditions shaping the future of wellbeing.

To learn more about Thailand's wellness economy, visit its dedicated Geography of Wellness page on the GWI website, where you can download a free copy of the full report.

About the Global Wellness Institute

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3), is considered the leading global research and educational resource for the global wellness industry and is known for introducing major industry initiatives and regional events that bring together leaders to chart the future. GWI positively impacts global health and wellness by educating public institutions, businesses and individuals on how they can work to prevent disease, reduce stress and enhance overall quality of life. Its mission is to empower wellness worldwide.

About BDMS Wellness Clinic

As Thailand's largest private healthcare network, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) provides advanced medical-based wellness services through its flagship wellness center, BDMS Wellness Clinic. Grounded in scientific evidence and personalized medicine, BDMS Wellness Clinic has grown to become Thailand's largest wellness clinic network, with 25 branches nationwide. Building on more than 50 years of tertiary-level medical across its network of 60 hospitals, the BDMS group is extending its strengths into the wellness space, helping individuals proactively optimize their health and improve long-term wellbeing.

SOURCE GLOBAL WELLNESS INSTITUTE