IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Abu Dhabi Investment Gate and Shura Global Consultancy
Living Well in the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is carving out a distinctive identity as a world-class wellness destination — a place where tradition meets innovation and luxury blends with authenticity. The country’s deep wellness heritage draws from ancient healing practices and Bedouin wisdom, from herbal remedies and hammam rituals, to a traditional diet rich in antioxidant ingredients and fresh catch from the sea. Today, visitors and residents alike can enjoy modern skincare and aromatherapy treatments infused with traditional botanicals like frankincense and myrrh. An extensive array of urban wellness retreats, spas, fitness centers, and health food offering in the UAE are augmented by options to use biometric skin analysis, biofeedback systems, and AI diagnostics to deliver personalized treatments, fitness plans, stress management programs, and nutrition guidance. The UAE is heavily investing in AI-driven healthcare to improve efficiency, accessibility, and quality of care. Mindful of its delicate ecosystem, the Emirates has set out an ambitious plan to reduce its ecological footprint through renewable energy, water conservation, and carbon reduction. The UAE government also launched its National Program for Happiness and Wellbeing 2026, highlighting its commitment to infusing happiness as a strategic priority.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES KEY FACTS
Population
9,516,871 (2023)
Life Expectancy for Men
77.7 years (2022)
Life Expectancy for Women
81.4 years (2022)
WELLNESS ECONOMY BY SECTOR IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
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 Saudi Arabia’s top-line wellness economy data and how it ranks globally. More details are available in the downloadable country report.
United Arab Emirates Rankings out of 218 countries
KEY WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
The Emirates’ varied geography – from vast desert expanses to rugged mountains and tranquil coastlines – offers a serene backdrop for mental rejuvenation, cultural immersion, and outdoor adventures such as falconry, camel trekking, horseback riding, and desert meditation. Emirati cuisine is rooted in fresh, locally sourced ingredients that naturally promote health and vitality. The UAE is increasingly blending cultural immersion with wellness practices to deliver unique experiences, such as hot sand therapy and breathwork techniques passed down by generations of coastal pearl divers. Guests who want to leverage technology for wellness can access advanced platforms to track sleep cycles, heart rate variability, and stress markers to generate personalized wellness plans. Eco-friendly spas and resorts in the UAE are adopting solar-powered facilities, organic skincare products, and zero-waste wellness programs. As the UAE continues to evolve its wellness landscape, it remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering transformative experiences — where visitors can unwind in tranquil deserts, reconnect with nature in serene oases, and embrace futuristic wellness solutions that empower mind, body, and spirit.
OTHER GWI RESOURCES & REPORTS FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RED SEA GLOBAL
The Global Wellness Institute is grateful to Abu Dhabi Investment Gate and Shura Global Consultancy for supporting the development of this country report and making its important UAE-specific data available to the world.
Visit the Abu Dhabi Investment Gate Website and Shura Global Consultancy Website.
