Myanmar: An Underserved but High-Demand Market
Myanmar represents one of Southeast Asia’s most underserved yet highly motivated outbound medical tourism markets.
Due to limited availability of advanced treatments locally, many Myanmar patients seek overseas care for complex, specialised, or quality-sensitive medical conditions.
Outbound Medical Spending from Myanmar
Estimated annual outbound medical spending: USD 250 million
Common destinations include:
Thailand
Singapore
India
Malaysia (growing preference)
These figures are supported by industry analyses and regional healthcare tourism studies conducted prior to and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
World Bank data (2019) recorded Myanmar’s total international tourism expenditure at USD 214 million, with medical travel forming a significant portion.
Over the past decade, outbound medical spending has shown steady growth, driven by:
A growing middle-income population
Increased health awareness
Rising expectations for care quality
Greater exposure to international healthcare options