IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ITALCARES
Living Well in Italy
In Italy, wellbeing is not perceived as a trend but as a long-standing cultural and scientific tradition. The country’s geographical and climatic diversity—Alpine regions, volcanic landscapes, islands, and a 7,900 km coastline—has supported, for centuries, outdoor activity, therapeutic use of mineral and thermal waters, and an overall lifestyle centered on social connection and balanced nutrition. Thermal and mineral waters have been used continuously since the Roman times for therapeutic and preventive purposes. Today, several thermal establishments operate as recognized healthcare providers, delivering clinically validated treatments within structured pathways. Italy’s Mediterranean nutritional heritage, its community-based lifestyle, and its consistently high life expectancy (with Sardinia’s Ogliastra included among the original Blue Zones) offer a fertile basis for the development of contemporary prevention and longevity programs.
ITALY KEY FACTS
Population
58,986,023 (2024)
Life Expectancy for Men
81.7 years (2023)
Life Expectancy for Women
85.8 years (2023)
Example Modalities
Mediterranean diet
Spa resorts
Thermal cures
Learn more about this partnership:
Press release coming soon
ITALY ECONOMY REPORT
This country report is the only detailed measurement of the size of Italy’s wellness economy, presenting data on its eleven wellness sectors. The report shows the trajectory of the wellness economy in Italy from 2019 to 2024, as well as subsector details where data are available. It also contains global and regional comparisons to show where Italy 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 Italy’s dynamic wellness market.
WELLNESS ECONOMY BY SECTOR IN ITALY
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 Italy’s top-line wellness economy data and how it ranks globally. More details are available in the downloadable country report.
Italy’s Rankings out of 218 countries
KEY WELLNESS EXPERIENCES IN ITALY
Italy is among the leading global wellness destinations thanks to the combination of natural assets, accredited thermal medicine, and a consolidated healthcare tradition. Alongside spa and holistic retreats, Italy has developed a strong and expanding array of medical spas, clinical wellness centers, and evidence-based preventive programs. Key components of Italy’s wellness offering include:
Thermal & Mineral Springs: Italy hosts one of the world’s largest thermal/mineral springs sectors (5th in global market size). Many centers offer structured clinical protocols—balneotherapy, mud therapy, inhalation therapies, thermal rehabilitation—delivered by medical staff and integrated into prevention pathways.- Medical Spa & Clinical Wellness: An expanding ecosystem combining medical teams, diagnostics, functional assessment, personalized risk profiling, and targeted interventions. Programs typically address metabolic balance, stress recovery, sleep, immune support, musculoskeletal health, and longevity.
- Spa Resorts & Holistic Retreats: High-quality establishments offering integrated wellness programs that combine movement, hydrotherapy, nutrition, and mind-body techniques, often in beautiful nature settings.
- Outdoor & Nature-Based Wellness: Italy’s environmental diversity supports year-round wellbeing through trekking, cycling, marine activities, forest immersion, and other outdoor activities.
- Nutrition & Lifestyle: The Mediterranean Diet remains a widespread, everyday practice rather than a prescriptive wellness protocol—grounded in seasonality, biodiversity, and scientifically established benefits for healthy aging.
- Arts, Culture & Emotional Wellbeing: Italy’s cultural heritage contributes to emotional and cognitive wellbeing, offering an experiential dimension that enriches wellness journeys.
OTHER GWI RESOURCES & REPORTS FOR ITALY
PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ITALCARES
The Global Wellness Institute is grateful to ITALCARES for supporting the development of this country report and making its important Italy-specific data available to the world.
Italcares is a digital platform promoting Italy’s health, wellness, and thermal tourism, offering integrated medical treatments, spa services, and lifestyle programs via thermal waters, specialized clinics, and wellness retreats, focusing on quality Italian care, prevention, and longevity. It connects international patients with Italy’s best health facilities, from thermal spas and medical centers to personalized longevity programs, ensuring guided access and high-quality experiences. Visit the Italcares Website.
