A new research report from the Global Wellness Institute, called The Global Wellness Economy: United Kingdom shows the industry has bounced back from the pandemic, with physical activity the leader of 11 defined wellness sectors.

Globally the wellness industry was worth US$5.6 trillion (£4.2 trillion; €3.8 trillion) in 2022 compared with US$4.9 trillion (£3.7 trillion; €4.4 trillion) in 2019. The GWI will publish new numbers at the Global Wellness Summit in November in Scotland.

At US$223.8 billion (£169.3 billion; €201 billion,) the UK has the second largest wellness economy in Europe and the fifth largest in the world, says the institute.

Physical activity in the UK was worth US$50.4 billion (£38.3 billion; €45.3 billion) in 2022, an uptick of 18 per cent from 2020. Pre-pandemic it stood at US$43.43 billion (£32.8 billion; €39 billion).

Of this, sport and active recreation was worth US$16.55 billion (£12.5 billion; €14.9 billion) fitness US$8.01 billion (£6.1 billion; €7.2 billion) and mindful movement US$1.04 billion (£0.8 billion; €0.9 billion)

Enabling sectors – which include apparel and footwear, equipment and technology – were worth US$25.14 billion (£19 billion, €22.6 billion).

The 11 segments measured are public health, prevention and personal medicine; personal care and beauty; healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss; wellness real estate; traditional and complementary medicine; mental wellness; spas; wellness tourism; workplace wellness and thermal/mineral springs.

The Global Wellness Institute is a US-based non-profit organisation which conducts global research for the wellness industry, introduces industry initiatives and organises events, such as the Global Wellness Summit, bringing leaders and visionaries together.

MEET THE SPA BUSINESS AND HCM TEAMS AT THE GLOBAL WELLNESS SUMMIT

Both Spa Business and HCM magazine will be represented at the Global Wellness Summit in Scotland from 4-7 November.

To arrange a meeting, contact the team by emailing [email protected].

Follow the teams' live reporting on X at the GWS @HCMmag and @spabusinessmag and sign up for the magazines, news alerts and ezines to read the GWS conference report here.