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Writer's pictureTav Keen

THE RESILIENCE OF THE WELLNESS ECONOMY

Updated: Jan 12

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Global Wellness Industry’s Growth and Future Prospects

The Global Wellness Economy

In the face of global challenges, the wellness industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a leading authority on wellness industry research, has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of the wellness industry’s landscape. Their comprehensive study has provided pivotal data and insights about the global wellness economy.


The wellness economy, initially defined and measured by the GWI in 2014, has shown a compelling narrative of recovery and growth. 2019 the global wellness economy was valued at a staggering $4.9 trillion. However, the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a dip to $4.5 trillion. Despite this setback, the wellness economy demonstrated resilience, soaring to $5.6 trillion in 2022, marking a nearly 14% increase from its 2019 size.

The wellness economy is a mosaic of eleven sectors, each with a valuation of billions...


These sectors range from Personal Care and beauty to Thermal/Mineral Springs, each presenting a unique opportunity for growth and innovation, catering to the diverse needs of consumers worldwide.

One sector that experienced explosive growth during the pandemic is wellness real estate. The GWI’s 2018 report, ‘Build Well to Live Well’, pioneered the sizing and analysis of the global wellness lifestyle real estate and communities market, which surged to $398 billion in 2022.


The resilience of the Wellness Economy.
A Global Consciousness Revolution.

Another key player in the wellness economy is the physical activity sector. The Global Economy of Physical Activity, outlined in GWI’s 2018 report ‘Move to be Well’, defines and measures six sub-sectors within physical activity. Despite the pandemic-induced dip in 2020, the physical activity economy swiftly recovered, reaching an estimated $976 billion in 2022.


Mental wellness, an emerging industry, was valued at $130 billion in 2019 and expanded to $181 billion in 2022, according to GWI’s 2020 report, ‘Defining the Mental Wellness Economy’.  Similarly, workplace wellness, valued at $52 billion in 2019, experienced a dip to $48 billion in 2020, rebounding to $51 billion in 2022, as per GWI’s 2016 report, The Future of Wellness at Work.


With its diverse sectors and robust growth, the wellness economy presents a beacon of hope in a post-pandemic world. As we navigate the current market landscape, the wellness industry is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the enduring pursuit of health and well-being.

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