UAE and Saudi Arabia, known for their thriving market and diverse population, health-conscious сustomers, and a growing focus on personal well-being, present a promising opportunity for the manufacturers of health & personal care products. The health and wellness market size reached US 67.9 billion in 2023. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region offers convenient conditions for introducing products, ensuring quick, straightforward, and budget-friendly access to consumers.
The GCC overall population increased from 26.2 million in 1995 to 56.4 million in 2021, almost doubling in 20 years. Due to dynamic shifts in demography, rising healthcare costs, and the increasing prevalence of chronic and lifestyle illnesses, the nations in the area are seeing a tremendous transformation of their healthcare systems. The Saudi Arabian government intends to invest more than $65 billion to build up the nation's healthcare system, restructure and commercialize insurance and health services, establish 21 "health clusters" across the nation, and increase the availability of e-health services. The UAE's healthcare services area keeps on driving regionally and worldwide in medical services and scientific achievements. The UAE's medical services consumption has been on a consistent ascent, expanding from 3.8 billion dirhams ($1.03 billion) in 2016 to 4.8 billion dirhams in 2023. The nation likewise drives the Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ medical care spending development rate with an extended venture of $30.7 billion in the area by 2027, denoting a yearly development pace of 7.4 percent, as per the worldwide investment banking advisory firm Alpen Capital.
Highlights for the food supplement manufacturers
By 2020, the nutrition and supplements market is expected to reach:
Why the supplements market in the GCC is growing at 10% per annum:
The GCC overall population increased from 26.2 million in 1995 to 56.4 million in 2021, almost doubling in 20 years. Due to dynamic shifts in demography, rising healthcare costs, and the increasing prevalence of chronic and lifestyle illnesses, the nations in the area are seeing a tremendous transformation of their healthcare systems. The Saudi Arabian government intends to invest more than $65 billion to build up the nation's healthcare system, restructure and commercialize insurance and health services, establish 21 "health clusters" across the nation, and increase the availability of e-health services. The UAE's healthcare services area keeps on driving regionally and worldwide in medical services and scientific achievements. The UAE's medical services consumption has been on a consistent ascent, expanding from 3.8 billion dirhams ($1.03 billion) in 2016 to 4.8 billion dirhams in 2023. The nation likewise drives the Gulf Cooperation Council countries’ medical care spending development rate with an extended venture of $30.7 billion in the area by 2027, denoting a yearly development pace of 7.4 percent, as per the worldwide investment banking advisory firm Alpen Capital.
Highlights for the food supplement manufacturers
By 2020, the nutrition and supplements market is expected to reach:
- $3.94 billion in the UAE, growing from $1.91 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 9.5% during 2022-30.
- $13.9 billion in Saudi Arabia, growing from $6.49 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 10% during 2022-2030.
Why the supplements market in the GCC is growing at 10% per annum:
- Population growth through increased economic attractiveness of the region;
- Easy accessibility: supplements are sold in frequently visited pharmacies located in busy areas;
- 90% of the UAE population is vitamin D deficient
- Reduced taxes and duties on imports of supplements
- Increase in popularity of vegan protein and herbal supplements
- Increase in personal health care expenditures
Highlights for the cosmetics manufacturers
The beauty and personal care market in the GCC is projected to generate a revenue of USD 9.16 billion in 2024. Women in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia lead the world in spending on cosmetics and skincare, a new report shows, making the two countries the cosmetics capitals of the world.
The beauty and personal care market in the GCC is projected to generate a revenue of USD 9.16 billion in 2024. Women in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia lead the world in spending on cosmetics and skincare, a new report shows, making the two countries the cosmetics capitals of the world.
According to a study by discount website Picodi.com, Saudi women spend the most racking up $909 (AED 3,350) a year, followed by Emirati women with a tab of $694 (AED 2,550) a year.
Currently, the GCC beauty and personal care market has seen a surge in demand for organic and natural products due to growing consumer awareness and preference for eco-friendly and sustainable products.
Highlights for the sports nutrition manufacturers
In recent years, the GCC sports nutrition market has experienced significant growth, driven by the increasing popularity of sports and fitness activities among people. The growing awareness of the importance of proper nutrition for athletic performance coupled with the growing inclination toward healthy lifestyles has spurred the demand for sports nutrition products in the region. The market offers a variety of products, including energy bars, sports drinks, protein and drink powders, and nutritional supplements, to meet the diverse needs of athletes and fitness professionals. The market is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of 6.1 % from 2023 to 2030, supporting the fitness ambitions of the GCC population.
Advantages of bringing products to market in the UAE and KSA
Characteristics of the UAE and KSA healthcare market
Currently, the GCC beauty and personal care market has seen a surge in demand for organic and natural products due to growing consumer awareness and preference for eco-friendly and sustainable products.
Highlights for the sports nutrition manufacturers
In recent years, the GCC sports nutrition market has experienced significant growth, driven by the increasing popularity of sports and fitness activities among people. The growing awareness of the importance of proper nutrition for athletic performance coupled with the growing inclination toward healthy lifestyles has spurred the demand for sports nutrition products in the region. The market offers a variety of products, including energy bars, sports drinks, protein and drink powders, and nutritional supplements, to meet the diverse needs of athletes and fitness professionals. The market is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of 6.1 % from 2023 to 2030, supporting the fitness ambitions of the GCC population.
Advantages of bringing products to market in the UAE and KSA
- Largest GDP per capita in the Middle East;
- Stable annual GDP growth;
- High investment in government support for health care;
- Lack of in-house manufacturing and high dependence on imports.
Characteristics of the UAE and KSA healthcare market
- Government support measures for healthcare;
- Growing number of chronic diseases: cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases;
- Protection of intellectual property of pharmaceutical companies at the local level;
- Increased promotion of the prevention system and precaution measures to combat diseases;
- Continued growth in the well-being of the population;
- Rapid population growth;
- Weak in-house drug development system, willingness to invest in biotechnical innovation.