Blog · · 2 min read
The wellness economy in numbers: what $6.8 trillion means for salon and spa owners
Wellness is often described as one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Before you build a business plan on that, it helps to look at the actual figures and at what they do and do not tell you. Here are the headline numbers from the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), and a careful reading of them.
What are the numbers?
- Market size: according to the GWI Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025, the global wellness economy reached a new peak of $6.8 trillion in 2024.
- Recent growth: it grew 7.9% from 2023 to 2024.
- Forecast: GWI projects 7.6% annual growth from 2024 to 2029, reaching nearly $9.8 trillion in 2029.
- Fastest growth: between 2019 and 2024, wellness real estate (19.5% a year) and mental wellness (12.4% a year) grew fastest on average, and all eleven sectors measured were larger in 2024 than in 2019.
What the numbers do not tell you
These are global figures covering eleven sectors, from wellness tourism to wellness real estate. They are not a forecast for a single salon, a city or a country, and the public GWI page does not break out figures for spas or beauty salons. A rising global total does not guarantee demand for your particular business, so treat it as context, not as a business plan.
What it suggests for a salon or spa
- Customers are spending on wellness in more places, so competition for their attention is wider. A clear, well-designed space helps you stand out.
- The 2026 trends reported by the Global Wellness Summit point to calm, the senses and long-term skin health. Our article on 2026 salon and spa trends looks at what this means for rooms.
- Investment in the space itself, the furniture, layout and materials, is a part of the customer experience, not only a cost.
Planning your own investment
Start from your own market: who your clients are, what they pay and how often they return. Then decide where to put your budget. If you are fitting out a new space, see our turnkey projects, and read how to design the client journey.
Sources
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