Quick answer: According to the Medical Tourism Association’s Medical Tourism Index 2020-21, the top ten medical tourism destinations were Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Costa Rica, Israel, Abu Dhabi and India. But the best country for you depends on the treatment you need, your budget, how far you can travel, language, visas and above all the specific hospital and team. India stands out for complex procedures at lower cost and a very large volume of international patients.
The Medical Tourism Index top ten
| Rank | Destination | MTI score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 76.47 |
| 2 | Singapore | 76.43 |
| 3 | Japan | 74.23 |
| 4 | Spain | 72.93 |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 71.92 |
| 6 | Dubai | 71.85 |
| 7 | Costa Rica | 71.73 |
| 8 | Israel | 70.78 |
| 9 | Abu Dhabi | 70.26 |
| 10 | India | 69.80 |
Source: Medical Tourism Index 2020-21, Medical Tourism Association. This is the most recent full edition of the index at the time of writing.
What the rankings do and do not tell you
The Medical Tourism Index ranks 46 destinations on how they are perceived, largely by American consumers, across three areas: the destination environment, the medical tourism industry and the quality of facilities and services. That makes it useful for understanding reputation and ease of travel, but it has limits:
- It reflects perceptions, not patient outcomes.
- It is weighted towards the views of people in the United States, whose needs differ from patients in Africa, Asia or the Middle East.
- It rates countries, but quality varies hugely between hospitals within the same country.
- It does not tell you which country is best for a specific treatment.
Popular destinations and what they are known for
| Destination | Often chosen for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|
| India | Complex surgery, cardiac care, transplants, cancer care, orthopaedics, IVF; large English-speaking hospitals | Very large volume of international patients; quality varies by hospital. See medical tourism in India |
| Thailand | Cosmetic surgery, general and elective procedures, well-developed hospitality | Popular with international patients; compare costs for complex care |
| Turkey | Hair transplants, cosmetic and dental procedures, eye surgery | Wide range of clinics; check credentials carefully |
| Singapore | Complex and specialist care with strong regulation | Among the more expensive options |
| Malaysia | Elective procedures, fertility, cardiac care | Regulated medical travel sector |
| Mexico and Costa Rica | Dental, cosmetic and bariatric procedures, close to North America | Short travel from the US; quality varies |
| UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) | Specialist care close to the Gulf | Higher costs than India for many procedures. See India vs UAE |
| South Korea | Cosmetic procedures, health screening, cancer care | Advanced technology; higher costs |
These are general patterns only. For a detailed three-way comparison, read India vs Turkey vs Thailand.
How to choose the right country for your treatment
| Factor | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Treatment expertise | Which countries and hospitals have strong experience with my exact condition? |
| Total cost | What will treatment, travel, stay and follow-up cost in each option? |
| Travel distance | How long is the journey, and can the patient travel comfortably before and after? |
| Visas | How easy is it to get a medical visa, and can family come? |
| Language | Will I be able to communicate clearly with doctors and staff? |
| Regulation and accreditation | How are hospitals regulated and accredited? |
| Follow-up | How will care continue once I return home? |
Safety advice that applies everywhere
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that medical tourism can involve risks such as infections, antimicrobial resistance, communication problems and blood clots from flying after surgery. It advises seeing a travel medicine provider at least four to six weeks before travel, checking the qualifications of the providers and the facility, and planning follow-up care. These points apply whichever country you choose.
Where India fits
India’s strengths are clear: complex procedures at lower cost than many destinations, very high patient volumes at large hospitals, English widely used, and a straightforward e-Medical Visa for nationals of 175 countries. It received 6,44,387 foreign medical arrivals in 2024. Its challenges are also real: quality varies between hospitals, big cities can be crowded, and patients need good planning for travel, stay and follow-up. For the full picture, read our complete guide to medical tourism in India and medical tourism statistics for India.
Choosing a destination by treatment
| Treatment | What to look for in a destination |
|---|---|
| Heart surgery and transplants | High-volume specialist centres, intensive care depth, clear legal rules for donors. See heart surgery in India and liver transplant in India |
| Cancer care | Dedicated cancer centres, tumour boards, access to radiotherapy and newer therapies. See cancer treatment hospitals in India |
| Joint replacement | Experienced orthopaedic teams, good physiotherapy, realistic recovery time before flying. See knee and hip replacement in India |
| Fertility treatment | Regulated clinics, clear legal framework, time for multiple visits. See IVF in India |
| Cosmetic and dental | Qualified surgeons, clear aftercare, time to recover before travel |
A checklist that works for any country
- Get your diagnosis and treatment plan from your own doctor first.
- Shortlist hospitals, not just countries, and check accreditation.
- Ask for written plans and estimates, and compare them on the same basis.
- Add travel, visas, stay and follow-up to every option.
- Plan how your doctor at home will continue your care.
- See a travel medicine provider several weeks before travel.
How NEIMHAANS helps
NEIMHAANS is a non-clinical healthcare concierge supporting families travelling for treatment in India since 2007. If India is on your shortlist, we can help you compare hospitals and written estimates, prepare visa documents, plan travel and stay, and support you on the ground. See our services.
Sources
- Medical Tourism Association: Medical Tourism Index 2020-21
- US CDC: Medical tourism, risks and advice
- DD News: foreign medical arrivals in India, 2024
- Government of India: official e-Visa information
Frequently asked questions
Which country is best for medical tourism?
There is no single best country. In the Medical Tourism Index 2020-21, Canada ranked first, followed by Singapore and Japan, but the right destination depends on your treatment, budget, travel distance, language and the specific hospital.
Where does India rank for medical tourism?
India ranked 10th out of 46 destinations in the Medical Tourism Index 2020-21, with a score of 69.80. It also received 6,44,387 foreign medical arrivals in 2024, according to official data.
What does the Medical Tourism Index measure?
It measures how destinations are perceived, largely by American consumers, across destination environment, the medical tourism industry and quality of facilities. It is not a count of patients or a measure of clinical outcomes.
Is it cheaper to have treatment in India than in other popular destinations?
India is often among the lower-cost options for complex procedures, but prices vary widely by hospital and treatment. Compare written estimates for the whole trip, not just headline prices.
What are the main risks of medical tourism?
The US CDC highlights infections, antimicrobial resistance, communication problems and blood clots from flying soon after surgery. Choosing accredited facilities, planning follow-up and following your surgeon’s advice on travel reduce these risks.
This article is general information, not medical, legal, insurance or financial advice. Rules, schemes and hospital policies change, so always confirm details with your hospital, insurer or the relevant authority.