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NEWS
Physical activity market in the UK worth £38.3 billion finds Global Wellness Institute
POSTED 24 Sep 2024 . BY Kath Hudson
Physical activity in the UK grew by 18 per cent between 2020 and 2022 Credit: Shutterstock/Rawpixel.com
Global Wellness Institute research says the UK has the fifth largest wellness economy in the world
Sport and active recreation is the largest segment, followed by fitness and mindful movement
The physical activity market in the UK was worth £38.3 billion in 2022
This sector has expanded by 18 per cent since 2020 and is larger than pre-pandemic
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.

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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Physical activity market in the UK worth £38.3 billion finds Global Wellness Institute
POSTED 24 Sep 2024 . BY Kath Hudson
Physical activity in the UK grew by 18 per cent between 2020 and 2022 Credit: Shutterstock/Rawpixel.com
Global Wellness Institute research says the UK has the fifth largest wellness economy in the world
Sport and active recreation is the largest segment, followed by fitness and mindful movement
The physical activity market in the UK was worth £38.3 billion in 2022
This sector has expanded by 18 per cent since 2020 and is larger than pre-pandemic
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.

MORE NEWS
Gran Hotel Taoro opens Sandára Wellness Centre
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Franchise expert Carrie Walsh joins Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa as CEO
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans to expand.
HCM Invest opens applications for pitching slots
The inaugural HCM Invest event has opened applications for pitching slots ahead of its launch in London on 21 October 2026.
Synergy – The Retreat Show invites consumer and industry perspectives on retreats for research
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives.
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i-Tech Industries

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Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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