Last Updated: 11 Jul 2025
Source: Statifacts
Diagnostic Imaging Market (By Therapeutic Application: Ultrasound Devices (Portable, Handheld), X-ray Systems (Including C-arm Systems), Others; By Region: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, LAMEA) Industry Size, Share, Growth, Trends 2025 to 2034
The global diagnostic imaging market size was evaluated at USD 19.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow around USD 70.02 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 13.81% from 2025 to 2034. The global diagnostic imaging market is experiencing sustainable growth due to increasing healthcare demand, expanding geriatric population, and increasing chronic diseases. North America has a large share of the market due to its primary demand for an advanced healthcare system and overall higher imaging demand.
| Industry Worth | Details |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 21.7 Billion |
| Market Size by 2034 | USD 70.02 Billion |
| Market Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR of 13.81% |
Diagnostic imaging includes a variety of technologies used to visualize the human body to help diagnose, monitor, and treat medical conditions. X-Ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, and Nuclear Imaging are all included under it. Diagnostic imaging is a major technology category utilized in many areas of medicine, including oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, and gynecology. The market for this technology primarily includes hospitals, diagnostic centers, and ambulatory care facilities as end-users. Diagnostic imaging is non-invasive, can provide immediate information, and enables rapid examination of the whole body to improve the odds of early diagnosis or targeted treatment.
As healthcare providers increasingly utilize diagnostic image technology for preventive health screenings and chronic disease management, the potential for diagnostic imaging appears to be growing. A review by the WHO states that there are around 3.6 billion imaging procedures that take place every year. The two main causes of this growth include increases worldwide in the incidence of chronic disease and new and sophisticated imaging technology that provides better, faster, and safer medical imaging. Developments in technology, especially in AI-stream integrated imaging, as well as a growing demand for early intervention and accurate diagnosis, are major contributors to market expansion. Also, an increase in healthcare infrastructure investment in emerging economies helps the situation significantly.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing our approach to diagnostic imaging for the future, which can assist us in image interpretation, provide accuracy to a diagnosis, and ultimately reduce time to diagnosis. AI algorithms can detect anomalies or abnormalities incredibly quickly and accurately in imaging scans (i.e., scans for tumors, fractures, lesions) with equivalent or superior accuracy in regard to specific tasks and, depending on the circumstances, then human imaging radiologists. For instance, Google's DeepMind made huge advancements using AI to compare a professional radiologist's interpretation of a breast cancer scan. In addition to using AI to interpret results, through automated workflows using AI-enabled applications, we can significantly reduce human error and lessen the impact of large datasets and data complexity from most imaging methods.
A significant additional capability of AI using cross-referencing is that it enables us to use predictive analytics and risk assessment as a patient engagement and care tool, often combining imaging data with a full set of an individual's electronic health records. Overall, this enabled AI is providing better efficiency, lower health care costs for advanced imaging (historically highly costly), and real-time remote diagnostic procedures.
The diagnostic imaging market is driven by the rising burden of chronic diseases and rapid technological innovations like 3D/4D imaging, hybrid systems, and AI, which enhance diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and early disease detection.
Rising burden of chronic diseases The global rise in chronic diseases, particularly cancer, cardiovascular problems, and diabetes, is a significant factor affecting the diagnostic imaging market. As populations age, and lifestyles are becoming less healthy, there is a greater population with chronic diseases that require more complex diagnostic imaging related to analytical assistance. Imaging-related procedures, and especially MRI image acquisition followed by CT scans, are a critical component of discovering, following, and developing treatment plans for diseases. In consequence, the burden of disease means that the demand for earlier and more frequent diagnoses has correspondingly increased the use of advanced imaging systems in developed and developing territories.
Technological innovations in Imaging Rapid technological innovations have improved imaging systems in terms of speed, resolution, safety, and ease of use. 3D and 4D imaging, portable ultrasound systems, and hybrid imaging systems like PET/CT and PET/MRI have enhanced imaging applications, efficiency, and accuracy. Innovation in technologies has given doctors greater diagnostic accuracy and the ability to diagnose disease earlier, while also decreasing the amount of radiation the patient receives, which is attractive for both the clinician and the patient. Cloud-based imaging system image sharing and AI-supported imaging interpretation, into many departments, both reduce paperwork and improve imaging workflow efficiency. All of these technological advancements have led to healthcare providers upgrading old equipment, which will lead to market growth with new innovations and an increased demand for advanced systems.
The diagnostic imaging market is restrained by high equipment and procedure costs, especially in low-resource settings, and a growing shortage of skilled professionals needed to operate and interpret advanced imaging systems.
High cost of equipment and procedures A key inhibitor to the diagnosis imaging market is the significant cost associated with advanced imaging equipment and related imaging procedures. High-end modalities such as MRI and PET/CT are costly to purchase, maintain, and operate, and as such are not accessible to low and middle-income countries. Furthermore, the costs are likely to end up with the patients themselves in low- and middle-income countries where there is insufficient healthcare insurance or public health care to finance these costs. This potential pricing barrier to access hinders the penetration of the market and the replacement of old equipment. High capital outlay is also a deterrent to smaller hospitals and clinics from investing in upgrading imaging equipment, which compromises the growth of the diagnostic imaging market, particularly under resource-poor healthcare situations.
Shortage of skilled professionals The diagnostic imaging arena is in a crisis as the shortage of trained staff (radiologists and technicians), who are knowledgeable in how to operate modern imaging systems, and professionals who are able to interpret results, continues to grow. The demand for imaging continues to grow, particularly in emerging markets, with the gap continuing to widen. The good problem will lead to delayed diagnosis, increased rates of error, and will limit the functionality of healthcare informational services. In many of these developing economies, there are either no training programs or woefully outdated programs to meet the demand for well-trained radiologists and technicians. Additionally, the learning curve of further AI-integrated new imaging platforms will only exacerbate workforce challenges in using the systems correctly.
The diagnostic imaging market is gaining opportunities through AI integration, telehealth expansion, portable imaging solutions, personalized medicine demand, and increased public and private investment in imaging infrastructure. Globally, the diagnostic imaging market is poised to leverage the opportunities for AI and components of machine learning, particularly in developing economies where imaging infrastructure has been limited or not well funded over time. The growth and strength of telehealth and teleradiology networks are creating unique opportunities to provide remote diagnostic services and solutions for access in rural and underserved organizations. There are opportunities with portable and point-of-care imagining solutions that can support real-time imagining in non-clinical settings.
As health care moves toward personalized medicine or preventative care, there is an increasing demand for complex diagnostic imaging, which creates unique demands for hospitals, laboratory operations, and different types of clinicians. There is an increase in the level of governmental and private funding that is being directed toward innovation and infrastructure, and breaking down barriers to the market opens it to new participants and solutions.
“The healthcare industry is one of the most important applications of AI, as the demand for healthcare services far exceeds the supply,” “We are working with an industry leader, GE HealthCare, to deliver Isaac for Healthcare, three computers to give lifesaving medical devices the ability to act autonomously and extend access to healthcare globally.”
“With the Radiology Operations Command Center, we can support multiple locations in real time. We utilize the expertise in our Command Center to ensure that every site has access to it. This helps us to improve efficiency and maintain the same level of care at all facilities."
Portable and handheld ultrasound devices dominate the global diagnostic imaging market through therapeutic application and have become the standard for point-of-care (POC) imaging thanks to their cost-effectiveness, real-time imaging, and ease of use. The fact that they are non-invasive and do not involve ionizing radiation makes them appropriate for applications in numerous circumstances, such as obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, pediatrics, and emergency medicine. Such portable and handheld ultrasound devices have a lot of value in POC and in rural communities or countries where large imaging infrastructure is absent. Portable ultrasound devices continue to proliferate in both developed and developing countries, and the improvements in their imaging quality and wireless transmission capabilities have led to widespread use and dominance of this category of diagnostic imaging.
X-ray systems are the fastest growing segment of the diagnostic imaging market, with many areas of rapid adoption such as emergency care, orthopedics, dental diagnostics, and TB screenings. With the advent of digital X-ray systems, speed and accuracy have improved, and associated radiation exposure is reduced, further increasing their appeal in a modern environment. Mobile and portable X-ray systems have also allowed for wider adoption in home care and remote clinic locations. This segment of the market has really taken off post-COVID, as so much of lung imaging involves X-rays. And government programs in countries like India for the elimination of TB are also heavily reliant on X-ray diagnostics, driving this segment of growth further.
North America is expected to grow as the largest and fastest developing region for diagnostic imaging because of advanced healthcare infrastructure, increased per capita healthcare expenditure, and simply due to emphasis on early disease detection, cause, and resolution. The rapid uptake of recent technological advancements, such as AI imaging and digital radiography systems, along this trajectory also helps to expand the opportunity in this region. The presence of comprehensive reimbursement systems and institutionalized regulatory systems presents this region as opportunistic. Ongoing advances in innovations and further R&D spending of key or established regional market players further solidify this competitive positioning functional opportunity. For instance, many new AI imaging products have been certified by the FDA recently, and the claims regulatory underpinnings support this type of innovation. The growing demand for non-invasive diagnostics and prevention health screenings presents more depth to the opportunity.
The Asia-Pacific diagnostic imaging market has also shown enormous growth, largely due to burgeoning healthcare markets, increasing disposable incomes, and bigger government support for national healthcare models. Nations in the Asia-Pacific region have made tremendous investments to significantly improve their healthcare infrastructure, while a demanding middle class wants better and more timely diagnostic services. The rise in chronic diseases has fueled demand for sophisticated diagnostic imaging solutions as the population ages. Further, public and private partnerships as well as foreign direct investments into the medical imaging systems market are crucial for demand in rural and semi-urban health care models, while advances in technology in low-cost portable diagnostic imaging solutions will further build additional acceptance through availability in rural and semi-urban health care.
GE Healthcare operates in 160+ countries. Its devices, which include MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound, are provided in countries all over the globe. GE Healthcare is concentrating on integrating ways of delivering AI capabilities, precise health, and predictive diagnostics in connection with the ongoing innovation through research and development.
Philips Healthcare has a presence in 100+ countries where they provide MRI, CT, ultrasound, and image-guided therapy systems. They have focused on AI-driven, connected imaging and sustainable, interoperable, cloud-connected diagnostic technology.
Hitachi Medical Corporation, now merged with Fujifilm and offers MRI, CT, and ultrasound systems in different global markets. It has introduced open MRI and AI-based imaging to be recognized for innovation, reliability, and access to diagnostics.
| Segments | Shares (%) |
| Ultrasound Devices (Portable, Handheld) | 45% |
| X-ray Systems (including C-arm systems) | 40% |
| Others | 15% |
| Segments | Shares (%) |
| North America | 35% |
| Asia Pacific | 25% |
| Europe | 30% |
| LAMEA | 10% |
Published by Rohan Patil
