We know you have heard at least once about Iranian medical tourism services! Although there are many misconceptions about Iran, the fact is not changing: Iran is one of the leading countries (especially in the Middle East) in medical tourism and health care.
Iran Health Agency a medical tourism company in Iran , provides some good essential data, which you can read about, too. These information sources are the Iran Medical Tourist Department and other global research.
Let’s see the details:
How many tourists visit Iran each year?
Iran’s medical tourism statistics show that the number of tourists visiting Iran has changed significantly over the past ten years. This is because of the COVID-19 pandemic, political events, and the economy. Based on the data we have access to, here is a detailed year-by-year comparison of the amount of tourists who visit Iran:
| Year | Number of Tourists (millions) |
| 2010 | 2.94 |
| 2011 | 3.35 |
| 2012 | 3.83 |
| 2013 | 4.77 |
| 2014 | 4.97 |
| 2015 | 5.24 |
| 2016 | 4.94 |
| 2017 | 4.87 |
| 2018 | 7.30 |
| 2019 | 9.11 |
| 2020 | 1.55 |
| 2021 | 0.88 |
| 2022 | 4.10 |
| 2023 | 6.00 |
Analysis
- 2010-2014: The number of tourists steadily increased from 2.94 million in 2010 to 4.97 million in 2014, reflecting a growing interest in Iran’s cultural and historical sites.
- 2015-2017: The figures remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations. The peak was in 2015, with 5.24 million tourists, followed by slight declines in 2016 and 2017.
- 2018-2019: There was a significant surge in tourism, reaching a peak of 9.11 million tourists in 2019, making Iran one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations globally.
- 2020-2021: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic drop in tourist numbers, with only 1.55 million visitors in 2020 and even fewer (0.88 million) in 2021.
- 2022-2023: Tourism began to recover, with 4.1 million tourists in 2022 and an estimated 6 million in 2023, indicating a solid rebound as global travel restrictions eased.
Annual Number of Medical Tourists
- 2017-2018: Over 300,000 foreign patients were treated in Iran during this period, according to the Medical Tourism Department of Iran.
- 2019: The number of medical tourists increased to approximately 300,000.
- 2024 Projection: Iran aims to attract around 1 million medical tourists annually by 2024.
Growth Over the Years
The growth in the number of medical tourists in Iran has been significant:
- 2007: 20,000 medical tourists.
- 2019: 300,000 medical tourists, marking a 15-fold increase over 12 years.
Revenue Generation
Iran’s medical tourism market has generated substantial revenue:
- 2019: The industry generated an estimated $1.2 billion in revenue.
Popular Treatments
Iran is mainly known for:
- Cosmetic treatments (e.g., facelifts, nose jobs, abdominoplasty, transgender surgery).
- Other medical procedures are due to the presence of highly qualified surgeons and modern medical facilities.
Main Source Countries
Patients primarily come from neighboring countries:
- Top Countries: Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Oman, and Pakistan.
- Growth Rates: Between 2014 and 2019, significant growth was seen in patients from Qatar, Bahrain, African countries, and Iraq.
Popular Destinations within Iran
- Tehran: Accounts for about 38% of all medical tourists.
- Mashhad and Shiraz: Other popular destinations for medical tourists.
Challenges and Future Projections
- Data Collection Issues: Accurate statistics are sometimes hard to obtain due to the lack of a systematic recording system and unauthorized organizations.
- Future Goals: Iran aims to increase the number of medical tourists to 2 million annually by 2026.
Read more: Why Iran is the world’s capital of nose jobs
Why do tourists visit Iran?
If you ask us why we chose Iran for medical travel, we answered that there are many great reasons for tourists to visit Iran, including its rich cultural history, beautiful scenery, and friendly people (no doubt).
Of course, medical services in this era are also professional. You can trust Iran’s healthcare system to provide international-quality services.
Here are some of the main things that people come to Iran to see:
- A lot of culture
Iran’s past goes back more than 7,000 years, making it one of the world’s oldest civilizations that have been going strong for that long. It has 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Persepolis’s ancient ruins and Isfahan and Shiraz’s beautiful buildings. These sites show how rich Persian culture and history are.
- Being friendly
The people of Iran are famous for how friendly they are. People who come to Iran are often invited into people’s homes for meals or tea, which shows how warm and friendly the society is.
- A variety of landscapes
Iran has many landscapes, from lush woods and snowy mountains to deserts. Because of this, tourists can enjoy a range of weather and activities, such as skiing in the Alborz mountains or resting on the beaches of the Persian Gulf.
- Delecios Food
Iranian food is vibrant and varied, with more than 2,500 classic dishes. The spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients used in the food give it a unique flavor that comes from a mix of influences from nearby areas. Many tourists love the kebabs, stews, and sweets that are served.
- Price range
Iran is considered a cheap place to visit. Iran’s food, lodging, and transportation prices are affordable compared to many other countries. This means that tourists can enjoy all the country offers without spending too much.
- Amazing Natural Sites
The Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts, the Caspian Sea, and several national parks are some of the country’s most beautiful natural sights. You can go ecotourism, walk, and watch wildlife in these places.
- Amazing works of architecture
People visit Iran to see its beautiful mosques, castles, and bridges, showing its artistic history. The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan and the Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, famous for its colorful stained glass, are two well-known examples.
- Care and safety
Despite some misconceptions, Iran is considered a safe place for tourists ( you think you are not safe, but you are wrong). The country has a low crime rate, and the friendly people there help make it secure.
What are the health services in Iran?
As we said before, Iran is famous for its healthcare system, especially cosmetic surgery and IVF. Below, we summarize some of Iran’s leading medical and beauty services.
Rhinoplasty:
Iran is renowned for its rhinoplasty expertise, often called the “nose job capital of the world.” The country attracts many international patients seeking high-quality yet affordable cosmetic surgery. Factors contributing to Iran’s reputation in rhinoplasty include:
- Highly skilled and experienced surgeons.
- Advanced medical facilities for rhinoplasty are in Iran.
- Significantly lower costs compared to Western countries.
Fertility Treatments
Iran offers comprehensive fertility treatments, including:
- In vitro fertilization (IVF) in Iran : Iran has several clinics specializing in IVF, which provide services such as egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer.
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This is another standard fertility treatment available in Iran, often used as a less invasive option before considering IVF.
- Surrogacy and Donor Programs: Although subject to legal and ethical considerations, these services are also available in Iran.
Read more: Fertility Treatments in Iran
Kidney Transplants
Iran is unique in having a regulated system for organ transplants, including kidney transplants. However, kidney transplants in Iran are done at a very affordable cost.
Key points include:
- Legal Organ Trade: Iran is the only country with a legal framework for organ trade, which helps reduce transplant wait times.
- High Success Rates: The country boasts high success rates for kidney transplants, thanks to experienced medical professionals and well-equipped hospitals.
Hair Transplants
Hair transplants in Iran are increasingly popular, attracting local and international patients. Services include:
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): This is a minimally invasive technique where individual hair follicles are extracted and implanted.
- Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): This method involves removing a strip of scalp and transplanting the follicles.
- Affordable Costs: Hair transplants in Iran are significantly cheaper than in many Western countries without compromising quality.
Weight Loss Procedures
Weight Loss Procedures in Iran are one of the most popular surgeries in this country, and many people come to the country to get the services at a lower price!
Iran offers various surgical and non-surgical weight loss treatments, including:
- Bariatric Surgery: Procedures such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding are available.
- Liposuction in Iran: This is a popular cosmetic procedure for fat removal.
- Diet and Nutrition Counseling: Many clinics provide comprehensive weight management programs that include dietary counseling and lifestyle modifications.
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