Barbados Healthcare & Medical Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Specialty Type (General Surgery, Orthopedics, Cardiology, Fertility & Gynecology, Cosmetics),- Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2024-2034

Barbados Healthcare & Medical Tourism Market Size and Growth

The Barbados healthcare & medical tourism market size was exhibited at USD 538.65 million in 2024 and is projected to hit around USD 946.59 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period 2024 to 2034.

Barbados Healthcare & Medical Tourism Market Key Takeaways:

• Based on specialty, general surgery segment held the largest revenue share of over 29% in 2024.
• Barbados medical tourism held a significant market share in 2024.

Growth of the market is attributed to the well-designed healthcare infrastructure, high quality of care at affordable prices, and favorable public health coverage. Moreover, the rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and increasing government spending are anticipated to drive market growth.

Rising prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and increasing government spending are anticipated to drive market growth. For instance, the Government of Barbados, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, implemented the Barbados National Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases 2020 - 2025. This plan highlights health promotion, risk factor reduction, and disease prevention. It aims to strengthen the primary healthcare system and enhance the functioning of Barbados’ network of polyclinics, moving toward universal health coverage.

Furthermore, Barbados’ proximity to North and South America is expected to drive its healthcare and medical tourism market. The majority of its medical tourists come from these regions, taking advantage of the short travel distances and cultural similarities. In 2024, the American University of Barbados (AUB) has opened a 200-bed hospital, which was expected to boost the country’s capacity to accommodate international patients.

However, The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an important change in healthcare in Barbados, especially in medical tourism. After the pandemic, the government focused on improving local healthcare services and invested a lot to make advanced medical care easier for its citizens. This is expected to have positive impact on medical tourism in Barbados.

According to Barbados Statistical Service, visits for healthcare are increasing. In 2023, there were 1,760 healthcare visits, showing a rise compared to the pandemic years (857 in 2021). Overall tourist visits have also returned to 90% of the levels seen in 2019, with a 9.6% increase in the first few months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. With better healthcare facilities and a strong tourism sector, it is anticipated that these factors are expected to drive the growth of the medical tourism market in Barbados.

Medical Tourism Potential

Barbados is well-positioned geographically to attract medical tourists from North America, Europe, and the Caribbean region. By offering cutting-edge technology (e.g., robotic surgeries, minimally invasive procedures) and combining it with the island’s tourism appeal, the hospital could draw patients seeking affordable but high-quality surgical care. Assuming the hospital captures 700-1,000 international patients annually, medical tourism could generate USD 17.5-25 million in gross revenue, thereby contributing to market growth.

Report Scope of Barbados Healthcare & Medical Tourism Market

Barbados Healthcare & Medical Tourism Market By Specialty Type Insights

Based on specialty, general surgery segment held the largest revenue share of over 29% in 2024. This growth is attributed to the increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases and the rising demand for laparoscopic procedures. According to the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness, around 1,052 general surgeries were reported in 2018. Furthermore, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital performed a total of 4,043 surgeries in 2019

The cardiology segment is anticipated to grow significantly over the forecast year. Increasing burden of CVDs and the opening of dedicated walk-in chest clinics are expected to drive segment growth. Furthermore, government initiatives in Barbados are contributing significantly to the growth of cardiology services and improving cardiovascular health. In May 2024, Barbados launched public awareness campaigns for World Hypertension Day, encouraging citizens to “Know Your Numbers” by getting their blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar checked. This initiative-initiated community-based blood pressure monitoring and training of NCD ambassadors.

Barbados Healthcare & Medical Tourism Market By Barbados Medical Tourism Insights

Barbados medical tourism held a significant market share in 2024. Barbados has made significant progress in medical tourism development over the past 10 years. With substantial investments from the government in healthcare infrastructure, it has become a leading destination in the Caribbean for medical services. This has led to the creation of advanced medical facilities specializing in various services, including cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and fertility treatments.

For instance, in June 2021, The European Investment Bank (EIB) collaborated with the Government of Barbados to allocate USD 60 million for emergency healthcare spending for expenses related to COVID-19, focusing on both medical treatment and initiatives to control spread of the virus.

Furthermore, the cost of cosmetic surgeries, dental treatments, and fertility procedures in Barbados is notably lower 40% to 60% cheaper compared to the expenses in the U.S. and other developed countries, making it an attractive option for international patients in search of cost-effective healthcare solutions. For instance, a dental implant that could cost between USD 3,000 and USD 4,500 in the U.S. costs between USD 1,500 and USD 2,500 in Barbados.

Some of the prominent players in the Barbados healthcare & medical tourism market include:

• The Sparman Clinic
• FMH Emergency Medical
• Sandy Crest Medical Centre
• Barbados Fertility Centre
• Premiere Surgical Centre
• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital BARBADOS
• Bayview Hospital

Barbados Healthcare & Medical Tourism Market Recent Developments

• In February 2024, the Ophthalmology Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital started to provide a new diagnostic test to improve the detection of various diseases affecting the back of the eye, such as sickle cell disease, diabetes, and retinal vein occlusion. This test, known as Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA), was first performed in Barbados at QEH.
  
  
• In May 2019, Queen Elizabeth Hospital started providing round-the-clock services at its Clinical Risk Management Unit (CRMU) to better serve patients.

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2034. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the Barbados healthcare & medical tourism market

Specialty Type

• General Surgery
• Orthopedics
• Cardiology
• Fertility & Gynecology
• Cosmetics
• Others