GWI’s new report reveals high-growth sectors, unmet needs, and investor opportunities in the world’s fastest-growing wellness market
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has released a sweeping update of its pioneering 2018 report, Build Well to Live Well, cementing wellness real estate as the fastest-growing sector in the €5.9tn global wellness economy. Now valued at €544bn, the market has grown 20% annually over the last five years, far outpacing global construction’s 5.5% rate. It is projected to double to €1tn by 2029.
The new report, Build Well to Live Well: The Future, doesn’t just track numbers. It presents over 300 impact studies, global project examples, and outlines 12 urgent opportunities developers should act on now. These include climate-adaptive design, affordable healthy housing, and co-living models for an increasingly single and ageing population.
“There is no going back to ignoring wellness,” said Katherine Johnston and Ophelia Yeung, senior researchers at GWI. “We spend trillions each year on places to live, work and play – it’s time we made wellness an integral part of that investment.”
Europe has seen a 22.4% annual growth rate since 2019, outpacing North America and Asia–Pacific. Leading national markets include the UK (€35.7bn), France (€26.9bn), and Germany (€17.6bn). Projects like Brent Cross Town in London and CityLife in Milan highlight how wellness-led regeneration is transforming urban environments. These trends are catching investor attention for their ability to deliver long-term returns through rental premiums (4.4–7.7% per m²) and residential price premiums (10–25%).
One key point for investors: large-scale, master-planned wellness communities are now a viable, scalable asset class. Developments blending residential, commercial, and healthcare elements – such as Zibi in Ottawa or Rancho Mission Viejo in California – are outperforming in both occupancy and impact. Yet the European market remains underdeveloped, representing a major growth window.
Build Well to Live Well: The Future is free to download here
People mentioned:
Katherine Johnston – Senior Researcher, Global Wellness Institute
Ophelia Yeung – Senior Researcher, Global Wellness Institute
Companies mentioned:
Global Wellness Institute (GWI) – nonprofit wellness research organisation
Fountain Life – longevity and preventative health sponsor
Blue Legacy Ventures – longevity-focused real estate investment firm
Zibi – wellness urban community in Ottawa, Canada
Rancho Mission Viejo – wellness-oriented master-planned community, California
Brent Cross Town – wellness-driven regeneration district, London
CityLife – urban wellness district, Milan
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