Dubai attracts over 691,000 health tourists, generating $280.42 million in spending

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) recently released a report stating that the city of Dubai’s health tourism sector experienced significant growth in 2023. The report claims that both the number of foreign patients seeking medical attention in Dubai and the amount of money spent on various healthcare services have significantly increased.

This expansion shows the confidence that people have in Dubai’s healthcare system, which is well-known for its quality and excellence in a variety of medical specializations, throughout the world. These outcomes strengthen Dubai’s position as the leading health tourism destination in the region and globally.

The report also covers the DHA’s collaborative efforts with strategic partners to expedite the growth of health tourism. The objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which include positioning Dubai as a top global travel, business, and investment destination and doubling the emirate’s GDP, are supported by these initiatives.

In 2023, more than 691,000 health tourists from around the world came to Dubai, spending more than AED1.03 billion ($280.42 million) on medical care. These figures are higher than those from 2022, when 674,000 foreign health tourists visited Dubai and spent AED992 million.

In 2023, Dubai received AED 2.3 billion in indirect revenue from health tourism, which considerably boosted the emirate’s GDP and encouraged the growth of key industries.

Data from the Dubai Digital Authority shows that 42% of foreign health tourists were men and 58% were women. Asia accounted for 33 percent of the foreign medical tourists, followed by the Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (28 percent), European countries, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (23 percent).

Dubai’s reputation as a premier destination for specialized healthcare services is further cemented by its capacity to attract medical tourists from a range of regions seeking expertise in critical specialties.

Here is a breakdown of the most sought-after medical specialties and the demand for each in each region:

Top 3 in-demand specialties

■ Dentistry: 29 percent
■ Dermatology: 27 percent
■ Gynaecology: 13 percent

Region-wise demand

■ Dermatology: Asia (33 percent), Arab and GCC countries (28 percent), Europe (23 percent)
■ Dental services: Arab and GCC countries (48 percent), Europe (20 percent), Asia (19 percent)
■ Gynaecology services: Asian countries (49 percent), European countries (25 percent), Arab and GCC countries (13 percent)
■ Orthopaedic surgery: Arab and GCC countries (30 percent), Asia (29 percent), Europe (24 percent)
■ Plastic surgery: Arab and GCC countries (43 percent), Asia (21 percent), Europe (21 percent)
■ Ophthalmology services: Asia (28 percent), Arab and GCC countries (27 percent), Africa (21 percent)
■ Fertility treatments: Asia (36 percent), Arab and GCC countries (22 percent), Europe (21 percent)
■ Recuperation and recovery treatments: Europe (35 percent), Arab and GCC countries (30 percent), Asia (21 percent)

The data presented in the report highlights Dubai’s appeal as a global hub for specialized healthcare services, attracting patients seeking world-class treatment across a spectrum of medical specializations.