The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released its annual Country Rankings report, which reveals Australia is now a top 10 wellness market.

Australia rose three places in the rankings, up from twelfth to ninth place. Spending on wellness in Australia reached $141 billion in 2024, with the sector recording 7.6 per cent annual growth between 2019 and 2024.

GWI defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.

North America ($2.3 trillion), Asia-Pacific ($2 trillion), and Europe ($1.7 trillion) together accounted for nearly 90 per cent of the entire global wellness economy in 2024.

Overall, there are four wellness sectors driving most of the growth in the largest and fastest-growing markets. Wellness real estate is the biggest contributor to growth globally, while wellness tourism, beauty & personal care, and healthy eating, nutrition & weight loss are also major forces driving the wellness boom.

When measured on a per capita basis, wellness economy spending is highest in Iceland, Switzerland, Aruba, United States, the Seychelles, Austria and Australia.

GWI said the high per capita spending and large wellness economies in these countries reflected a substantial domestic consumer market for wellness products and services, bolstered by high spending by inbound and domestic wellness tourists. Per-person spending on wellness in Australia in 2024 was $5184.

Read the full report here.