Global Medical Tourism Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecasts 2031

Key Findings

• Medical tourism refers to the practice of traveling across international borders to obtain health care services, ranging from elective procedures to complex surgeries.

• The market is being driven by high treatment costs in developed countries, long waiting periods, and the availability of affordable care in emerging economies.

• Popular destinations such as Thailand, India, Mexico, Turkey, and Costa Rica are known for advanced medical infrastructure and skilled professionals offering treatments at significantly reduced costs.

• Services in high demand include orthopedic surgery, dental care, fertility treatments, cosmetic surgery, and cardiovascular procedures.

• Increased internet penetration and digital health platforms are helping patients research, compare, and book international treatments with greater transparency.

• Insurance companies are beginning to offer packages that include international treatment options, further encouraging outbound medical tourism.

• Language compatibility, government promotion, and post-treatment recovery services are key differentiators among destination countries.

• The rise of JCI-accredited hospitals and international certifications has strengthened patient trust in overseas care providers.

• Teleconsultation and pre/post-operative virtual care are increasingly integrated with medical travel packages to offer end-to-end treatment continuity.

• Key players in the ecosystem include Apollo Hospitals, Bumrungrad International Hospital, KPJ Healthcare, Fortis Healthcare, and Gleneagles Global Hospitals.

Market Overview

The global medical tourism market is a fast-growing segment in the healthcare industry, characterized by the cross-border movement of patients seeking quality healthcare at competitive prices. Medical tourism enables patients to access timely and often cost-effective treatments that may be unavailable or unaffordable in their home countries. It encompasses a wide range of services including dental, orthopedic, cosmetic, fertility, and cardiovascular procedures.

Key drivers of the market include the globalization of healthcare, increased health awareness, and technological advancements in both medical practices and travel infrastructure. Patients are also motivated by the opportunity to combine medical treatments with tourism, further enhancing the value proposition.

As healthcare costs continue to escalate in Western countries and waiting times for public health systems increase, patients are increasingly willing to travel for high-quality care. Meanwhile, hospitals in countries like India, Thailand, and Malaysia offer world-class services, often at one-third or even one-fourth of the cost in the US or Europe. This affordability, combined with high standards of care and favorable patient experiences, is propelling the market forward.

Medical Tourism Market Size and Forecast

The global medical tourism market was valued at USD 61.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 198.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 18.4% during the forecast period.

The growth is underpinned by a rise in chronic diseases, aging populations, and the expanding middle-class demographic in emerging economies that can now afford out-of-country medical services. Additionally, governments and private health providers in popular medical tourism hubs are investing in infrastructure, marketing, and international accreditation to attract foreign patients.

Technology is playing a transformative role as well. Mobile apps, virtual consultations, and blockchain for medical records are improving trust and transparency. As global health insurance companies begin to collaborate with international hospitals, medical tourism is becoming a structured, streamlined option for elective and urgent care.

Future Outlook

The future of medical tourism is expected to be shaped by deeper integration between healthcare, hospitality, and digital platforms. AI-driven matchmaking between patients and providers, transparent pricing models, and holistic treatment packages will become standard features.

Medical tourism hubs will diversify to include not only well-established countries but also emerging destinations in Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. These regions will likely compete on specialization—for instance, cosmetic dentistry in Hungary or organ transplants in the Philippines.

In the next five years, robotic surgeries, genomic diagnostics, and regenerative medicine are expected to be key value drivers, attracting affluent and tech-savvy medical tourists. Cross-border insurance policies and AI-powered decision tools will also enable patients to make informed decisions more easily.

Overall, the market will evolve into a patient-centric, tech-enabled global healthcare marketplace, blending affordability, quality, and accessibility.

Medical Tourism Market Trends

• Rise of Wellness and Preventive Tourism:
  There is a growing trend of combining conventional medical treatment with wellness tourism, including services like Ayurveda, detox programs, and yoga retreats. Patients are looking beyond surgical care to full-body wellness, often seeking destinations that offer both recovery and rejuvenation.

• Integration of Digital Health Platforms:
  Digital tools like telemedicine, virtual consultations, and online patient reviews are making it easier for patients to evaluate and select international healthcare providers. These platforms enable seamless communication before and after procedures, boosting patient confidence and satisfaction.

• Insurance Coverage Expansion:
  A growing number of insurance providers are offering medical tourism coverage, including travel and accommodation. This expansion is reducing out-of-pocket costs and making international healthcare accessible to a wider population, especially in countries with limited specialty services.

• Specialized Medical Tourism Hubs:
  Countries are increasingly focusing on specific medical niches—India for cardiac care, South Korea for cosmetic surgery, Turkey for hair transplants—to build global reputations. This strategic specialization allows them to attract targeted patient segments and offer center-of-excellence services.

• Focus on Accreditation and Patient Safety:
  Medical tourists are increasingly demanding internationally accredited facilities with robust infection control, clinical governance, and patient rights protocols. This is pushing providers to align with global standards like JCI and ISO, improving overall quality and trust.

Market Growth Drivers

• Rising Cost of Healthcare in Developed Countries:
  High medical costs in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Canada are prompting patients to seek alternative options abroad. These savings can range from 30% to 80%, depending on the procedure and destination, making medical travel an attractive alternative.

• Shorter Waiting Times for Procedures:
  Public health systems in countries like the U.K. and Canada are often burdened with long queues for surgeries and treatments. Medical tourism offers quicker access to procedures, reducing wait times for patients in need of timely intervention.

• Improved Healthcare Infrastructure in Emerging Markets:
  Countries like India, Thailand, and Turkey have invested heavily in advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities. Coupled with highly trained specialists and affordable costs, these regions are increasingly seen as reliable options for global healthcare.

• Government Support and Strategic Promotion:
  Governments in popular medical tourism destinations offer visa assistance, invest in marketing campaigns, and create special economic zones for healthcare services. These initiatives are boosting inbound patient traffic and establishing strong public-private partnerships.

• Increased Awareness Through Digital Media:
  Social media, medical tourism agencies, and patient review platforms are helping individuals explore, compare, and select overseas treatment options. Word-of-mouth and verified testimonials are playing a crucial role in market expansion.

Challenges in the Market

• Regulatory and Legal Barriers:
  Medical tourism involves navigating various regulatory frameworks, including licensing, malpractice liability, and patient privacy laws. Lack of harmonization between countries can deter patients or complicate care continuity post-treatment.

• Quality and Safety Concerns:
  Inconsistencies in quality and safety across providers, especially in lesser-known destinations, can lead to patient mistrust. Issues like infection risk, counterfeit drugs, or unlicensed practitioners pose reputational threats to the industry.

• Post-Operative Complications and Follow-Up:
  One of the main challenges in medical tourism is ensuring follow-up care and monitoring after the patient returns home. The lack of integrated post-operative support can compromise recovery outcomes and expose patients to risks.

• Language and Cultural Barriers:
  Communication gaps due to language differences or cultural misunderstandings may affect diagnosis, treatment quality, and overall patient experience. Some patients are also reluctant to seek care in unfamiliar environments, limiting market reach.

• Geopolitical and Travel Restrictions:
  Political instability, pandemics, and visa restrictions can severely affect patient flows. The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the vulnerability of the medical tourism industry to global disruptions, with lasting implications on recovery timelines.

Medical Tourism Market Segmentation

Medical Tourism Market

• Cosmetic Surgery

• Dental Treatments

• Orthopedic Surgery

• Cardiovascular Treatments

• Fertility Treatments

• Cancer Treatments

• Organ Transplants

By Service Provider

• Public Hospitals

• Private Clinics

• Specialty Centers

• Wellness and Rejuvenation Facilities

By Traveler Type

• Inbound Travelers

• Outbound Travelers

By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

Leading Key Players

• Apollo Hospitals

• Bumrungrad International Hospital

• KPJ Healthcare Berhad

• Fortis Healthcare

• Gleneagles Global Hospitals

• Anadolu Medical Center

• Bangkok Hospital

• Medicana Health Group

• Seoul National University Hospital

• Raffles Medical Group

Recent Collaborations

• Apollo Hospitals signed a strategic agreement with international insurance providers to streamline medical travel logistics for inbound patients from the Middle East and Africa.

• Bumrungrad International partnered with U.S.-based concierge health platforms to enhance pre- and post-operative teleconsultation services.

• Fortis Healthcare collaborated with Indian tourism boards to promote integrated healthcare-tourism packages tailored for elective and wellness procedures.

• KPJ Healthcare initiated joint ventures with airlines and travel agencies in ASEAN to offer bundled packages, including visa support and local accommodations.

• Anadolu Medical Center expanded its partnerships with digital health platforms to provide multilingual patient support and remote diagnostics for European medical tourists.

This Market Report Will Answer the Following Questions

• How many Medical Tourists travel globally per annum, and which countries are the leading treatment destinations? Who are the local facilitators and international referral partners in different regions?

• Cost Breakdown of a Medical Tourism Treatment Package and Key Hospital Selection Criteria

• Where are the most popular procedures performed? What is the average profit margin per patient for hospitals?

• Market share of leading international hospitals and facilitators in the Global Medical Tourism market and their upcoming service offerings

• Cost advantage for patients seeking treatments abroad compared to local healthcare options

• Key predictions for the next 5 years in the Global Medical Tourism market

• Average B2B treatment costs in all major service categories of the Medical Tourism market

• Latest trends in the Medical Tourism market, by treatment type, region, and traveler demographics

• The market size (both volume and value) of the Medical Tourism market in 2025–2031 and every year in between

• Patient volume distribution by region, hospital affiliation, and treatment category in the Medical Tourism market