Medical tourism, also known as health tourism, involves traveling to another country for medical care, often driven by lower costs and higher quality treatments abroad.
Medical tourism, or health tourism, is a rapidly expanding industry worldwide. It is valued at 47 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 and is forecast to reach a market size of over 111 billion U.S. dollars by 2029 (Statista).
With the rising cost of healthcare in developed countries and the increasing availability of affordable healthcare options in developing countries, more and more people are choosing to travel for medical treatment. Popular destinations for medical tourism include countries like Turkey, South Korea, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, known for advanced procedures and affordable treatment options.
What are the Best Countries for Medical Tourism
Medical tourism refers to traveling to another country to receive medical care. Many people prefer treatment abroad because of the unavailability of certain procedures in their country, or they find lower costs and better-quality care.
Some of the countries that are considered best for medical tourism are:
Turkey: Plastic Surgery, Dental Surgery, Fertility Procedures, Cancer Treatment, Neurosurgery
South Korea: Plastic Surgery, Dental Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Neurosurgery
Mexico: Plastic Surgery, Dental Surgery, Cancer Treatment, General Surgery
Thailand: Plastic Surgery, Dental Surgery
The following factors determine which countries to choose for medical tourism:
Quality of Care
Countries like South Korea, Turkey and Germany are known for their high-quality healthcare services. They offer advanced treatments, modern facilities, and highly skilled doctors. These countries maintain strict medical standards, which gives international patients confidence in the care they receive.