Global Medical Travel Market: US$66.8 Billion in 2024, Key Destination Trends

The global medical travel market reached US$66.8 billion in 2024, more than doubling its US$31.3 billion value from 2022, according to a recent Global Market Insights report. The report projects this market will expand from an estimated US$84.5 billion in 2026 to US$174.1 billion by 2035.

This expansion is driven by developing countries increasingly matching developed nations’ care standards at a fraction of the cost. Expatriates and high-net-worth individuals now often expect, or prefer, to travel for procedures, anticipating quality equal to or better than their country of residence. This trend creates a challenge for insurers balancing cost-effectiveness, care quality, and patient expectations.

UK Medical Tourism: London’s Specialist Care Draws GCC and Wider Markets

London remains a popular destination for foreign nationals, with Cleveland Clinic reporting growing demand from overseas patients and expatriates. Patients seek complex and specialist procedures, valuing local expertise, infrastructure, equipment, and cultural familiarity.

Professor Nadey Hakim MD, International Relations Director at the Cleveland Clinic, stated, “International medical travel patterns continue to evolve. We continue to care for patients from the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) through our long-established relationships with governments, embassies, and insurers, and we also increasingly see patients from the wider Middle East, as well as Europe and Africa.”

The UK’s established medical tourism sector often incorporates cultural sensitivity, with healthcare professionals accustomed to diverse international patients. Dr Nick Losseff, the Cleveland Clinic’s Medical Director for Global Patient Services, highlighted the importance of trust, transparency, and consistency.

Dr Losseff noted: “That trust is earned through clear clinical communication, outcomes data, international accreditations, and reputation. We offer Arabic-speaking staff, cultural liaisons, and VIP coordinators, alongside faith-sensitive care, halal catering, private suites, and flexible visiting policies. We also work closely with embassies and referring medical offices to ensure continuity of care and clarity throughout the process.”

Demand includes preventative and wellness services, such as executive health screenings, advanced cardiac assessments, and lifestyle medicine. Complex tertiary referrals remain a key driver.

Dr Losseff added: “Particularly in oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics, and neurological rehabilitation. These patients are often seeking multidisciplinary, high-acuity care delivered within a single, integrated system they trust.”

The London Clinic also receives a “steady influx” of overseas and expatriate patients. Mohamed Ibrahim, Head of International Business Development at The London Clinic, reported a patient split of approximately 70% embassy-sponsored and 30% self-pay. Primary source markets include Gulf states, particularly Kuwait, with increasing numbers of patients from China and Africa. The clinic specialises in oncology and haematology treatment, alongside urology, lung health, breast and gynaecology, male and female health, orthopaedics, and ophthalmology. Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders is a niche treatment offered.

Mexico: JCI-Accredited Hospitals Attract US Patients and Expatriates

Mexico is a sought-after medical travel destination, particularly for US patients, who are attracted by lower costs and numerous Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited hospitals. Médica Sur, a multi-award-winning hospital, has seen a sustained increase in foreign patient inflow, estimated at 20% across patient categories.

Dr Misael Uribe, Chairman and Founder of Médica Sur, identified two main segments: US medical tourists seeking specialised treatment and Mexico’s growing expatriate community, who use hospitals like Médica Sur for consultations, diagnostics, and surgical procedures.

High-complexity and elective clinical pathways show concentrated demand. International and expatriate patients primarily seek specialised care in:

• Orthopaedics
• Cardiology
• Bariatric surgery
• High-precision services in ophthalmology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and advanced dentistry

Accessible costs are a factor, but Dr Uribe also cited JCI and General Health Council endorsements as crucial for patient confidence. These international standards provide certainty that facilities and procedures meet rigorous US standards. Médica Sur offers an “all-in-one healthcare ecosystem” including bilingual staff, private transport, and on-site hospitality services.

Malaysia: Asia-Pacific Growth with RM3.22 Billion Revenue in 2025

Malaysia has seen growing popularity as a medical travel destination, becoming a national priority. Its “Year of Medical Tourism” aligns with the “Visit Malaysia 2026” initiative. Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) are collaborating to promote the nation, highlighting hospital infrastructure upgrades and improved service standards.

MHTC reported that pre-pandemic (2015-19) medical tourism revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16%, reaching RM1.67 billion (US$406 million) in 2019, with over 1.2 million foreigners served. Post-pandemic recovery saw the industry achieve its first RM3 billion mark in 2025, two years after reaching RM2 billion in 2023. Preliminary 2025 revenue figures are RM3.22 billion, with over 1.8 million foreigners served. The health tourism revenue CAGR for 2023-25 is 20%.

Between 2023 and 2025, Malaysia saw major increases in medical travellers from:

• Indonesia (most popular source market)
• China
• India
• Bangladesh
• Singapore (fifth most popular)

Top 10 inpatient specialties in 2025 included:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious diseases
• Respiratory medicine
• Accidents and injuries
• Obstetrics and gynaecology
• Orthopaedic surgery
• ENT
• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular disorders

Indonesians seek almost all specialties. Orthopaedic surgery and oncology are common among travellers from all top five countries. Cardiology is in demand by all top five except China. Reproductive medicine is popular among patients from Indonesia, China, and Singapore.

Maintaining Efficiency in Cross-Border Care

The success of medical travel relies on strong partnerships between providers and insurers. Dr Losseff stressed the need for “clear alignment on clinical pathways, billing structures, and documentation,” supported by dedicated international patient teams. Integrated case management, including translation, interpretation, billing coordination, and family support, is critical. Cleveland Clinic focuses on value-based care, aligning outcomes with cost-effectiveness, and addresses regulatory and data flow challenges.

Mohamed Ibrahim from The London Clinic noted their international development team handles all patient needs, including translation and cultural support, with many returning patients forming long-term relationships.

Diamela Corrales, Director of International Programs and Guest Services at Jackson Health System International, explained their process for working with international insurance companies. Their international case managers understand various expatriate and travel health insurances, maintaining open communication with care partners and insurers. Upon arrival, patients and families are matched with a hospitality coordinator to manage needs and schedule physician meetings in their preferred language.

HTN Analysis

This report confirms the continued growth of established medical tourism markets like the UK, Mexico, and Malaysia, alongside the broader global market expansion. The market nearly doubled to US$66.8 billion between 2022 and 2024, with projections reaching US$174.1 billion by 2035. This growth is not uniform; it is concentrated in specific high-acuity and elective procedures in destinations that have built trust through accreditations, cost-effectiveness, and integrated patient services. The emphasis on cultural sensitivity, language support, and end-to-end patient journey management from providers like Cleveland Clinic, The London Clinic, Médica Sur, and Jackson Health System International suggests a maturation in patient expectations beyond basic clinical quality.

While the market is expanding significantly, the report highlights an ongoing challenge for insurers in balancing cost-effectiveness with rising patient expectations for quality and comprehensive service. The detailed breakdown of patient origins and treatment preferences, particularly for Malaysia (e.g., Indonesians seeking all specialties, Chinese less for cardiology, Singaporeans for reproductive medicine), demonstrates how specific market knowledge is becoming more critical for providers. The success of destinations like Mexico, with its JCI-accredited hospitals, underscores the enduring importance of internationally recognised quality benchmarks in attracting patients, especially from the US.

What to watch

• Provider Investment in End-to-End Services: Monitor new investments by hospitals and clinics in non-clinical services like translation, transport, and hospitality, as seen with Médica Sur’s “all-in-one healthcare ecosystem,” to assess competitive differentiation beyond medical expertise.
• Insurer Adaptation to Integrated Care: Observe how international insurers adapt their policies and partnerships to cover or facilitate the integrated, culturally sensitive care pathways increasingly offered by leading medical tourism destinations, potentially through new product offerings or direct partnerships.
• Malaysia’s 2026 Performance: Track Malaysia’s actual medical tourism revenue and patient numbers for 2026, following its “Year of Medical Tourism” and alignment with “Visit Malaysia 2026,” particularly against its 20% CAGR target for 2023-25 and the preliminary RM3.22 billion revenue for 2025.