IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THERME GROUP
Living Well in South Korea
Wellness in South Korea is a blend of centuries-old traditions and modern science and technology, in an environment rich in natural resources. Korean cuisine – with its vast variety of kimchi (fermented vegetables), banchan (side dishes), fresh seafood, and vegan options – has already taken the world by storm. Wellness practices such as sauna and hot springs bathing, meditation, martial arts (Taekwondo and Taekgyeon), herbal and medicinal teas, acupuncture, and moxibustion (a technique of burning herbal moxa cones to warm acupuncture points) are widely adopted for health maintenance and healing. Living well in South Korea today also means adopting modern fitness routines, accessing digital wellness tools, practicing skin care rituals, and accessing diverse cosmetic and beauty options popularly known across the world as K-beauty.
SOUTH KOREA KEY FACTS
Population
51,628,117 (2022)
Life Expectancy for Men
80.6 years (2021)
Life Expectancy for Women
86.6 years (2021)
Example Modalities
Korean bathouses (jjimjilbang)
K-beauty
Temple stays
Learn more about this partnership:
Read press release
SOUTH KOREA WELLNESS ECONOMY REPORT
This country report is the first detailed measurement of the size of South Korea’s wellness economy, presenting data on its eleven wellness sectors. The report shows the trajectory of the wellness economy from 2019 to 2022, and subsector details where data are available. It also contains global and regional comparisons to show where South Korea stands vis-à-vis its peers and competitors. This report and its data will be valuable for any businesses and investors who are interested in the opportunities and potential offered by South Korea’s dynamic wellness market.
WELLNESS ECONOMY BY SECTOR IN SOUTH KOREA
The wellness economy, as defined by GWI, is broad and diverse. Its eleven sectors encompass many different types of consumer activities and expenditures, including products, services, travel, and technology. Every country’s wellness economy is unique. Its composition can vary widely from country to country, based on its development history, culture, socioeconomic conditions, and government policy. Below we present South Korea’s top-line wellness economy data and how it ranks globally. More details are available in the downloadable country report.
South Korea rankings out of 218 countries
KEY WELLNESS EXPERIENCES IN SOUTH KOREA
With its vast mountain ranges and surrounded by seas on three sides, South Korea offers a phenomenal natural setting for all types of wellness activities and wellness holidays, from hot springs bathing to hiking to water sports, from mountain and seaside resorts to meditation retreats and temple stays. One can sample mountain herbs, temple cuisine, and traditional Korean dishes that can help promote blood circulation and warmth in cold weather. Its metropolises offer wellness amenities from spa and beauty to fitness to traditional and complementary medicine. Visitors may want to try a mindful tea ceremony, or immerse in Korean bathing traditions at natural hot springs as well as communal baths and sauna, a social and family-friendly experience.
OTHER GWI RESOURCES & REPORTS FOR SOUTH KOREA
PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THERME GROUP
The Global Wellness Institute is grateful to Therme Group, for supporting the development of this country report and making its significant South Korea-specific wellness data available to the world.
Therme Group is a global wellbeing leader, driven by an inclusive vision of urban wellbeing. Therme’s landmark projects are a unique immersive environment, based in ancient traditions of thermal bathing combined with modern technology. This unique blended experience includes water-based activities with fitness programming, attractions, wellbeing therapies, art and culture, botanics, food and nutrition. As much as a fun and relaxing experience, Therme’s projects benefit mental and physical health, rejuvenating all who visit, and making a positive economic and social impact for the communities they serve. Environmental consciousness is at the heart of Therme, using sustainable design and technology to create affordable and inclusive environments which welcome many millions of visitors every year. With more than 20 years’ experience, Therme Group and its strategic partners operate four facilities In Europe and have multiple destinations in development worldwide including the Asia Pacific, North America, UK and mainland Europe. Therme’s first Asia Pacific project will be in South Korea’s Incheon City as part of its Golden Harbor development.
Visit website
