Academic Medical Centres Drive $10 Trillion Global Healthcare Value
Academic Medical Centres (AMCs) are emerging as the backbone of the global intangible healthcare economy, with Brand Finance data revealing that listed healthcare businesses now hold USD 10 trillion in intellectual property and other intangibles – representing 84% of total business value.
The report highlights that patents, proprietary formulas, and research pipelines – largely developed within leading hospitals and AMCs – underpin this value, demonstrating the critical role of reputation and research in modern healthcare.
For the second consecutive year, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been named the world’s strongest hospital brands. Johns Hopkins leads the rankings due to its exceptional brand funnel performance, including awareness, familiarity, consideration, and recommendation, as well as being highly regarded for offering patients access to cutting-edge clinical trials.
The United States accounts for USD 5.5 trillion of the global intangible healthcare value. However, Brand Finance warns that reductions in public research funding, including cuts to the NIH and NSF, could threaten America’s leadership.
“Global healthcare professionals’ consideration of working at U.S. hospitals has declined since November 2024, opening opportunities for AMCs in other markets to attract top talent,” said Alfred DuPuy, Valuation Director at Brand Finance.
Regional leaders include All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in South Asia, Singapore General Hospital in APAC, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in MENA, Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa, and Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires in South America.
Brand Finance’s survey of over 2,500 healthcare professionals across 30 countries found that hospitals’ reputations remain anchored in fundamentals such as international recognition, accreditations, specialist expertise, and best-in-class patient outcomes. While artificial intelligence is receiving growing attention, its impact on brand reputation ranks lower compared to these enduring attributes.
“Reputation in healthcare is earned through international recognition, patient outcomes, and specialist care,” said Hugo Hensley, Valuation Director at Brand Finance. “AI and advanced technologies enhance excellence but do not define it. The strongest hospital brands balance world-class patient care with research and training, building trust across the global healthcare ecosystem.”
The full findings appear in Brand Finance’s Global Top 250 Hospitals 2026 report, which evaluates the strength and financial value of hospitals worldwide.
