Workplace wellness market set to reach £79bn by 2030 as mental health and AI drive growth 

The global workplace wellness market is forecast to reach $79.37bn (£62bn) by 2030, as employers increase investment in mental health support, digital platforms and AI-driven tools in response to rising workplace stress and shifting working patterns. 

New analysis from Research and Markets, published inFebruary 2026, projects the market will grow from $57.97bn in 2025 to $61.83bn in 2026, representing compound annual growth of 6.7 per cent. Growth is expected to continue at 6.4 per cent annually through to 2030. 

The report cites increased workplace stress, employer focus on productivity and engagement, expanded corporate health benefits and growing awareness of preventative healthcare as key drivers. Demand for mental health support, remote and hybrid working models and greater investment in personalised wellbeing programmes are also accelerating market expansion. 

For UK employers, the figures underline how workplace health and wellbeing has shifted from a discretionary benefit to a strategic business priority. With absence linked to stress, burnout and musculoskeletal conditions remaining a persistent challenge, organisations are turning to structured programmes to protect productivity and retention. 

The report highlights several trends shaping the sector over the next decade, including expansion of digital mental health services, adoption of virtual wellness platforms, greater use of data-driven health assessments and more tailored interventions based on workforce needs. 

The integration of AI-based tools is identified as a significant growth area. These technologies promise personalised recommendations, predictive health insights and scalable support across dispersed workforces. However, for UK employers navigating rapid technological change, this raises parallel questions about digital overload, trust and data governance within workplace wellbeing strategies. 

Industrialisation and increasing consumer demand are also expected to contribute to growth. As economies expand and production becomes more mechanised, businesses face pressure to maintain output and efficiency. The report points to projected industrial production growth in European markets as an example of the broader economic context in which workforce health becomes a performance lever. 

Major providers operating in the global market include Optum, Virgin Pulse, ComPsych, Vitality Group International, Limeade and Aduro. The report also references the launch of new employer-focused telehealth and holistic wellbeing programmes, including Ivim Health’s Ivim at Work initiative, which combines mental, physical and nutritional support. 

For UK organisations, the projected growth reflects both opportunity and responsibility. While the financial value of the market continues to climb, scrutiny around return on investment is also intensifying. Employers are under pressure to demonstrate that wellbeing strategies translate into measurable improvements in engagement, absence rates and long-term workforce resilience. 

The shift towards personalised and preventative models aligns with wider UK policy conversations around early intervention and reducing pressure on public health services. As NHS waiting times and access to mental health support remain under strain, workplace provision is increasingly seen as part of the broader health ecosystem. 

Yet the expansion of the market also highlights the need for evidence-based decision-making. Rapid growth can lead to fragmentation, duplication and an over-reliance on technology without sufficient attention to culture, management capability and job design – all of which are central to employee wellbeing. 

For HR and wellbeing leaders, the challenge over the next decade will not simply be adopting the latest digital tool, but integrating wellbeing into organisational strategy, leadership behaviours and everyday working practices. 

As the market approaches $80bn globally, the message for UK employers is clear: investment in workplace health and wellbeing is rising fast. The differentiator will be how effectively organisations translate that spend into healthier, more sustainable working lives