UAE healthcare sector projected to grow to AED 39.4 billion by 2025

10x Industry

Mita Srinivasan
10x Industry
Published:

UAE healthcare sector projected to grow to AED 39.4 billion by 2025

Euromonitor data shows growing momentum behind private spending, privatisation and preventative care as key factors expected to drive this market growth combined with growing confidence in UAE’s healthcare systems and technologies

Revenue generated from sales within the UAE healthcare sector is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5 percent over the over the next five years to reach AED 39.4 billion ($10.7 billion) in 2021, according to new analysis from Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry predicts based on data from Euromonitor. Healthcare expenditure will likely see significant growth in the UAE and worldwide in 2021 as additional resources are required to reboot infrastructure for the return of elective procedures following temporary suspension of these services due to Covid-19-related restrictions.

Private sector healthcare sector spending is set to outpace public sector health care spending over the next five years, due to increasing market activity driven by compulsory health insurance, privatisation of hospitals, a growing occurrence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes or obesity and better awareness of preventive care among UAE residents.

The UAE government’s implementation of precautionary measures and smart technologies to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and the successful re-opening of the country’s economy and borders are other key developments that will accelerate a rebound in medical tourism and attract international visitors to Dubai who are seeking treatment, the analysis noted. These efforts should result in a positive impact on medical tourism sales in the country which are projected to reach AED 8.4 billion ($2.3 billion) in 2021 and grow by a CAGR of 17.1 percent between 2021 and 2025.

It is worth noting that several healthcare service providers in UAE reacted quickly by providing telehealth services to patients during the lockdown. Lifestyle disorders, aging population and rising demand for personalised patient care as well as self-health management tools will continue to drive the telehealth market in the UAE. Besides, telehealth in medical tourism may improve the process and quality of pre- and post-operative care.

According to the International Healthcare Research Centre, Dubai ranked sixth out of 46 destinations in Global Medical Tourism Index 2020-2021. In addition, it ranked fifth in Quality of Healthcare Facilities and Services, seventh in Destination Environment, and 13th in Medical Tourism Industry.