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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.

MORE NEWS
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San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
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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.

MORE NEWS
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef education and conservation.
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.
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


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