The Global IPMI & Expatriate Health Insurance Market: Size, Trends and Outlook

For clarity, when we talk about this market, we refer to health insurance products designed specifically for internationally mobile individuals (expatriates, long-term assignees, globally mobile families) that cover medical treatment across borders (not simple domestic private health insurance or travel insurance). Terms used in the industry include “international health insurance”, “expatriate health insurance” and “international private medical insurance (IPMI)”.

International Private Medical Insurance Global market size & forecasts

One source estimates the global international health insurance market at USD 38.8 billion in 2024. (WiseGuy Reports)

The same report forecasts growth to USD 75.2 billion by 2035, implying a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.2% from 2025-2035. (WiseGuy Reports)

Another report gives the “expat health insurance market” value at USD 25.5 billion in 2022, with projections to USD 67.92 billion by 2031 (CAGR ~11.5%). (GlobeNewswire)

A separate figure: global “expatriate health insurance market size” of approximately USD 17.6 billion in 2024, with forecast to about USD 33.2 billion by 2033 (CAGR ~7.4%). (Dataintelo)

According to Growth Plus Reports (2023), the global IPMI and expat health insurance market is undergoing unprecedented expansion. 

• The market was worth USD 25.5 billion in 2022.
• It is projected to reach USD 67.9 billion by 2031 (CAGR ≈ 11.5%).

These differing figures reflect variation in definitions (e.g., what counts as ‘expat health insurance’ vs broader international health insurance), but together they indicate a multi-tens-of-billions USD market with healthy growth prospects.

International Private Medical Insurance Market Regional breakdowns

Europe (UK + EU) is estimated to be about €5.6 billion (~USD 6 billion+) and accounts for roughly 35% of the global IPMI market in that survey. (ipmiglobal.com)

For 2024, one dataset reports: North America ~USD 6.1 billion; Europe ~USD 4.8 billion in the expatriate health insurance segment. (Dataintelo)

Regionally, Asia-Pacific is often cited as the fastest-growing region with higher CAGRs in expatriate health insurance. (Market Intelo)

International Private Medical Insurance Growth drivers & dynamics

Some of the key factors behind the market’s growth:

• Increasing global mobility: growing number of professionals, families and retirees relocating abroad, and multinational companies sending staff on international assignments.
• Rising healthcare costs, especially in many advanced economies, driving demand for insurance that spans borders and provides access to high quality private care.
• Expansion of global hospital chains, improved private medical infrastructure in many ex-pat destinations, and more cross-border healthcare networks.

Regulatory/visa/immigration requirements: many host countries now mandate adequate international health insurance for expatriate workers.

Digital transformation: insurers are developing global networks, telemedicine, claims platforms, and direct-billing in multiple countries — improving the “expat” value proposition.

International Private Medical Insurance Market segmentation and product types

Within the market the segmentation includes:

Individual vs family coverage

Geographical scope: worldwide vs regional coverage

Plan types: Comprehensive medical + evacuation + repatriation vs more limited cover.

Distribution channels: brokers specializing in global mobility, employer schemes, direct digital platforms.

Premium levels: higher for older age groups, U.S.-inclusive coverage, or more favourable hospital networks

International Private Medical Insurance Outlook & opportunities

The size and growth of this market suggest significant opportunities:

For insurers and reinsurers: product innovation for globally mobile populations, digital/Insurtech enhancements, tailored age/region/risk-based pricing.

For brokers/advisors: the need for specialist advice around cross-border healthcare, multi-country compliance, family cover, evacuation & repatriation.

For employers/relocation service providers: incorporating global health cover as part of expatriate packages, duty-of-care frameworks, attracting and retaining international talent.

For expatriates/families: escalating awareness that domestic health policies don’t necessarily translate abroad, and that the cost/complexity of medical care overseas make robust international cover increasingly essential.

International Private Medical Insurance Market Key Considerations & Caveats

• Definitions vary between “international health insurance”, “expat health insurance”, “IPMI” — ensure what is included or excluded when comparing figures.
• Some growth forecasts are quite optimistic (e.g., +11.5% CAGR) while others more conservative (~6-7%). Product scope and regional maturity affect this.
• Regional data is patchy and many countries are under-penetrated, meaning room for growth but also data uncertainty.
• Premiums, claims experience and regulatory environments differ widely by region, age, coverage level, which complicates direct comparisons.

International Private Medical Insurance Market Size Conclusion

The global market for international private medical insurance and expatriate health insurance is clearly substantial — tens of billions of U.S. dollars today, with strong growth ahead. For stakeholders across the mobility, insurance and health-care value chains, recognising this growth and its drivers is critical. As people live and work more globally, ensuring robust, cross-border medical cover moves from “nice-to-have” to “must-have”.

Key Sources & What They Provide

The report “International Health Insurance Market: Trends & Opportunities 2035” by WiseGuy Reports states that the global international health insurance market was valued at USD 38.8 billion in 2024, estimated to grow to USD 75.2 billion by 2035 (CAGR ~ 6.2%). (WiseGuy Reports)

The article “Estimating the Overall Opportunity and Market Size of the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) Market in the UK and Europe” by iPMI Global puts the UK & Europe IPMI market at €5.6 billion, representing about 35% of the total IPMI market in one estimate. (ipmiglobal.com)

The “Expat Health Insurance Market Report (2023-2031)” by Growth Plus Reports documents the global expat health insurance market at USD 25.50 billion in 2022, and forecasts growth to USD 67.92 billion by 2031 (CAGR ~11.5%). (GlobeNewswire)

Another source from Data Intelo estimates the expatriate health insurance market at USD 17.6 billion in 2024, growing to about USD 33.2 billion by 2033 (CAGR ~7.4%). (Dataintelo)

How the Numbers Were Used

The USD 38.8 billion figure (WiseGuy Reports) was used as the “global international health insurance market size in 2024” anchor.

The €5.6 billion / ~35% share figure (iPMI Global) was used to illustrate the European region’s contribution to the IPMI market.

The USD 25.50 billion / USD 67.92 billion (Growth Plus Reports) data was used to highlight the “expat health insurance” niche within the broader international insurance market and to illustrate strong growth potential.

The USD 17.6 billion / USD 33.2 billion (Data Intelo) data was used to show a different estimate for the expatriate health insurance market, reinforcing that multiple sources exist with slightly differing definitions.

Important Caveats & Notes

Definitions differ: Some sources refer to “international health insurance”, others to “expat health insurance” or “IPMI” explicitly. These vary in scope (expats + globally mobile individuals vs all cross-border insured persons).

Time frames & base years vary: Some use 2022 as base, some 2024; forecasts extend to different terminal years (2031, 2033, 2035).

Data availability is limited: Many sources are paid research reports; publicly available summaries often give only headline figures.

Regional breakdowns are less detailed: While global numbers exist, robust country-level or sub-regional segmentation is less frequently published.

Overlap possible: Some figures may count components (e.g., global + regional) that overlap; care needed to avoid double counting when aggregating.