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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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HCM News: Taking GLP-1s is linked to a decline in physical activity
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Synergy The Retreat Show launches resource for retreat business leaders to showcase specialisms
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
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©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
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
HCM News: Taking GLP-1s is linked to a decline in physical activity
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Synergy The Retreat Show launches resource for retreat business leaders to showcase specialisms
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.
Ansana Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
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Meet Desert Therapy: Aromatherapy Associates' first new blend in seven years
There is a particular quality of stillness found only in the desert. [more...]

Why future-ready in-house laundry is the new luxury spa essential
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Trybe

Trybe was founded back in 2020, and the past five years has seen Trybe become the fastest growing al [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

03-05 Jul 2026

World Championship in Massage

Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
23-26 Aug 2026

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The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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