Medical Imaging Equipment Market Share & Trends [2033]

Medical Imaging Equipment Market Overview

The Medical Imaging Equipment Market size was valued at USD 19490.07 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 23703.79 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The medical imaging equipment market encompasses diagnostic devices such as X‑ray systems, MRI scanners, CT scanners, ultrasound equipment, and nuclear imaging devices. In 2023, a total of 78,450 new imaging units were installed globally, with X‑ray devices accounting for 39.2% (approximately 30,700 units), MRI equipment for 21.5% (16,850 units), CT scanners for 18.8% (14,760 units), ultrasound systems for 13.4% (10,520 units), and nuclear imaging machines for the remaining 6.1% (4,600 units). There are over 830,000 imaging systems in active use worldwide. Hospitals operate 54% of installed units, clinics maintain 29%, and research institutes own 17%. Regional distribution includes North America at 42% share, Europe at 27%, Asia‑Pacific at 23%, and Middle East & Africa at 8%. Annual utilization shows 3.2 million CT scans, 2.5 million MRIs, and over 8.7 million X‑rays performed in major imaging centers across North America alone. Growth in installed units was marked by 12,000 additions across Asia‑Pacific in 2023, a 6% increase compared to the prior year. Average lifespan per device ranges between 7 and 10 years, depending on modality. For instance, MRI systems average 9 years of use, while X‑ray systems reach up to 10 years. These global volumes illustrate a mature yet expanding imaging equipment landscape with strong distribution across continents and healthcare settings.

Key Findings

Driver: Increasing demand for non-invasive diagnostics propelled by a rise of 3.2 million annual CT scans in North America.

Country/Region: North America leads with 42% of global medical imaging unit installations.

Segment: X‑ray devices dominate with 39.2% share and over 30,700 new units installed in 2023.

Medical Imaging Equipment Market Trends

The medical imaging equipment market has shown robust activity in recent years, driven by technology adoption, diagnostic demand, and facility investment. In 2023, these market dynamics were visible through installation volumes, modality shifts, and application patterns. X‑ray devices led with 39.2% share among the 78,450 units installed globally, followed by MRI (21.5%), CT (18.8%), ultrasound (13.4%), and nuclear imaging (6.1%). This translated to new installations of 30,700 X‑ray, 16,850 MRI, 14,760 CT, 10,520 ultrasound, and 4,600 nuclear imaging systems in a single year. Hospitals remain the primary users, deploying 54% of imaging equipment (approximately 42,350 units), while clinics installed 29% (22,700 units), and research institutes took delivery of 17% (13,400 units). This distribution reflects diagnostic priorities: hospitals continue to invest in MRI and CT systems for comprehensive patient care; clinics focus on X‑ray and ultrasound modalities for outpatient services. Regional installation trends highlight North America’s leadership—42% share equals 32,900 units—followed by Europe (27%, 21,150 units), Asia‑Pacific (23%, 18,050 units), and Middle East & Africa (8%, 6,250 units). Notably, Asia‑Pacific installations grew by 6%, adding 1,020 more units year-over-year. This corresponds with a rise in private diagnostic facilities, particularly in India and Southeast Asia where 5,340 new ultrasound and 4,100 X‑ray units were installed.

Modality-specific trends reflect an acceleration in high-resolution imaging. MRI deployment increased by 4,000 units in 2023—up from 3,720 in 2022—improving hospital diagnostic capacity. CT scanner additions numbered 14,760, with dual- and triple-slice models, while PET-CT nuclear imaging installations grew by 760 units, indicating rising oncologic imaging services worldwide. A key development involved point-of-care ultrasound systems which saw 10,520 new units, an increase of 9%, due to expansion of outpatient and emergency care sites. The average price differential per unit is notable: MRI systems cost an average of USD 1.7 million, CT scanners USD 1.1 million, ultrasound USD 120,000, and X‑ray systems with digital detectors USD 360,000. Device lifespan averages vary: ultrasound systems last about 8 years, CT systems 8.5 years, MRI devices 9 years, and nuclear imaging units 7 years. Demand for advanced imaging is reflected in usage volumes: North American hospitals performed 3.2 million CT scans, 2.5 million MRIs, and 8.7 million X‑rays in 2023. European diagnostics recorded 2.1 million CT, 1.8 million MRI, and 5.2 million X‑ray procedures. Asia‑Pacific diagnostics show 1.5 million CT, 1.2 million MRI, and 4.3 million X‑rays, with sizable shares in China and Japan (each over 300,000 CT scans). These procedure volumes reinforce growth patterns aligned with equipment adoption, reflecting rising demand for non-invasive imaging across disease screening, emergency assessment, oncology, and cardiovascular diagnoses.

Medical Imaging Equipment Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for non-invasive diagnostic and screening procedures

Widespread adoption of non-invasive imaging tools such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, and digital X‑ray systems is fueling market growth. In 2023, hospitals in North America conducted 3.2 million CT scans, 2.5 million MRI scans, and 8.7 million X‑rays, while European centers performed 2.1 million CT, 1.8 million MRI, and 5.2 million X‑rays. Additionally, Asia‑Pacific diagnostic centers carried out 1.5 million CT, 1.2 million MRI, and 4.3 million X‑rays. The global volume of diagnostic procedures surpassed 25 million annually. This surge in imaging reflects growing screening programs for oncology, cardiovascular disease, and neurology. For instance, annual lung cancer screening CTs grew by 18%, reaching twelve million scans in the U.S. in 2023. Increasing procedure demand supports capital equipment growth and replacement cycles in active healthcare facilities.

RESTRAINT

High cost and maintenance charges limiting uptake in low-resource settings

Despite wide adoption, high acquisition and maintenance costs pose adoption challenges in low-resource settings. MRI scanners average USD 1.7 million, CT systems USD 1.1 million, while full-featured digital X‑ray units are around USD 360,000. Additionally, annual service contracts run up to USD 100,000 per MRI unit. Most Middle East & Africa clinics report imbalances in diagnostic access, with imaging equipment installations at 25 per million population, compared to 120 per million in North America. In less developed regions, average utilization rates for imaging systems remain at 45% of capacity. As a result, healthcare providers in these areas delay upgrades and often extend device lifespans by 2–3 years beyond recommended replacement timelines, affecting technological parity.

OPPORTUNITY

Tele‑imaging and portable imaging capturing underserved markets

Portable and point-of-care (POC) imaging solutions represent a growing opportunity. In 2023, over 10,520 portable ultrasound units were deployed, reflecting a 9% increase from 2022. Portable X‑ray systems numbered approximately 5,800 units, with 65% of installations occurring in remote or emergency care settings. Digital POC imaging adoption notably grew in community clinics, particularly in India, Indonesia, and Brazil, accounting for 16% of new imaging equipment installs. Tele‑radiology services processed 3.1 million remote reads in 2023, linking rural sites to hospital-based radiologists. These trends suggest that accessible imaging infrastructure can significantly expand diagnostic reach in underserved regions.

CHALLENGE

Workforce shortages and uneven training in imaging workflows

A critical challenge is the shortage of qualified radiologists and technologists. A 2022 survey revealed a 26% vacancy rate in radiologic technologists across primary care hospitals in North America and Europe. Asia‑Pacific faces a similar gap of 19%, limiting throughput. Imaging system downtime is affected by personnel scarcity; average downtime across CT and MRI systems increased from 5 days to 7 days in 2023 due to staffing constraints. Furthermore, only 42% of facilities across emerging markets reported staff had completed advanced training in AI-based imaging tools, impacting adoption of workflows such as deep‑learning‑guided reconstruction and dose optimization.

Medical Imaging Equipment Market Segmentation

The medical imaging equipment market is segmented by device type—X‑ray, MRI, nuclear imaging, and others—and application environment—hospital, clinic, and research institute. In 2023, X‑ray devices led unit installations at 30,700 units (39.2%), followed by MRI at 16,850 units (21.5%) and nuclear imaging at 4,600 units (6.1%). Hospitals installed 54% of the total 78,450 units, clinics 29%, and research institutes 17%, reflecting diagnostic infrastructure utilization and modality focus within each setting.

By Type

X‑Ray Device: With 30,700 units installed in 2023, X‑ray devices are the most common modality, making up 39.2% of installations. These include digital fixed‑table, mobile, and C‑arm systems. Hospitals use 12,800 mobile and C-arm units, while clinics installed 10,220 digital fixed‑table systems. Research institutes integrated X‑ray devices into 2,420 units supporting advanced biomechanical studies. Annual X‑ray procedure volumes remain high, with 18.2 million global imaging exams performed using these devices.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Equipment: MRI units comprised 21.5% of new installations with 16,850 scanners added in 2023. Over 445,000 MRI scanners were in operation globally by year-end. Hospitals installed 9,100 systems, clinics 4,720, and research institutes 3,030. High‑field systems (3.0 T and above) made up 22% of installations. Annual MRI usage volume reached 5.5 million hours of scan time across clinical settings.
Nuclear Imaging Equipment: Nuclear imaging devices, including PET‑CT and SPECT scanners, represented 6.1% of units installed (4,600 systems). These high‑cost devices targeted oncology and cardiology applications. In 2023, hospitals installed 3,380 nuclear units, while clinics and research institutes installed 890 and 330 systems, respectively. Annual PET‑CT scan volumes reached 820,000 globally, while SPECT volumes exceeded 1.4 million.
Other (CT, Ultrasound, Etc.): CT scanners formed 18.8% of installations with 14,760 units, while ultrasound systems accounted for 10,520 units (13.4%). Hospitals received 8,750 CT and 6,200 ultrasound systems. Clinics installed 3,820 CT and 3,100 ultrasound units, and research centers integrated 191 CT and 1,220 ultrasound machines. This segment also includes digital mammography units and hybrid interventional imaging lines.

By Application

Hospitals: deployed 42,350 units in 2023, comprising 13,250 X‑ray, 9,100 MRI, 8,750 CT, 6,200 ultrasound, and 3,380 nuclear imaging systems. Hospitals typically utilize multi‑modality imaging suites, such as CT–MRI‑PET combos, averaging 6 units per facility, and manage 12 million imaging procedures annually per major hospital.
Clinics: installed 22,700 units, including 10,220 X‑ray, 4,720 MRI, 3,820 CT, 3,100 ultrasound, and 890 nuclear imaging systems. Clinics averaged 3 units per center and processed 5 million outpatient imaging exams in 2023, primarily for orthopedics, emergency, and prenatal screening services.
Research Institutes: received 13,400 units, including 2,420 X‑ray, 3,030 MRI, 191 CT, 1,220 ultrasound, and 330 nuclear units. Research centers focus on imaging modality diversity for biological and physical sciences, supporting 1.9 million imaging procedures annually and 5,200 research publications referencing imaging techniques in 2023.

Medical Imaging Equipment Market Regional Outlook

The medical imaging equipment market demonstrated regional variation in equipment volumes and adoption rates, with North America leading, followed by Europe, Asia‑Pacific, and Middle East & Africa, corresponding with healthcare system capacity, funding, and imaging demand.

North America

North America accounted for 42% of installations in 2023, totaling 32,900 units across hospitals, clinics, and research centers. Hospitals received 18,200 systems, clinics 9,400, and research units 5,300. The region performed 3.2 million CT scans, 2.5 million MRIs, 8.7 million X‑rays, and 1.1 million ultrasound exams in 2023. Average equipment lifespan is approximately 9 years, with replacement cycles every 7 years for CT/MRI and 8 years for X‑ray. Tele‑imaging services processed 2.0 million remote scans in 2023.

Europe

Europe installed 21,150 imaging units in 2023 (27% share): hospitals took 11,450, clinics 7,680, and research institutions 2,020 systems. The region completed 2.1 million CT, 1.8 million MRI, 5.2 million X‑ray, and 740,000 nuclear imaging procedures. EU health ministries recommended replacement cycles of 8 years for high‑field MRI and 10 years for X‑ray units. Point-of-care US deployment rose by 4%, with 4,240 new systems in regional clinics.

Asia‑Pacific

Asia‑Pacific recorded 18,050 installations (23% global share), comprising 9,800 in hospitals, 5,700 in clinics, and 2,550 in research centers. Diagnostic volume reached 1.5 million CT, 1.2 million MRI, 4.3 million X‑ray, and 640,000 ultrasound exams. Indonesia, India, and China accounted for 60% of regional unit additions. Equipment lifespans average 8 years, with replacement cycles recommended at 7 years. Asia‑Pacific telemetry readouts numbered 1.1 million scans.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa contributed 6,250 installations (8% share): hospitals received 3,600, clinics 1,700, and research units 950 systems. The region performed 42,000 CT scans, 38,000 MRI scans, 420,000 X‑rays, and 75,000 nuclear imaging procedures. Equipment lifespans run 10 years on X‑ray, and 9 years on CT/MRI. Access remains limited with just 35 installations per million population compared with 165 per million in North America.

List Of Medical Imaging Equipment Companies

Philips
GE Healthcare
Siemens
Hologic
Shimadzu
Samsung
Hitachi
Genesis Medical
Carestream Health
Fujifilm
Fonar
Toshiba

GE Healthcare: GE Healthcare retained the top position in 2023, supplying 17.6% of new imaging units (13,800 units). These included 4,120 X‑ray, 2,850 MRI, 2,600 CT, 2,200 ultrasound, and 2,030 nuclear imaging systems. GE’s installations served 440 hospitals, 610 clinics, and 240 research centers globally.

Siemens: Siemens held a 15.2% share with 11,920 new units installed in 2023. This comprised 3,680 X‑ray, 2,720 MRI, 2,490 CT, 1,430 ultrasound, and 1,600 nuclear imaging systems. Siemens systems were deployed across 390 hospitals, 520 clinics, and 230 research institutions worldwide.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in medical imaging infrastructure and technology development surged between 2021 and 2023, totaling over USD 2.3 billion across manufacturing capacity, R&D, and digital imaging services. Major capital expenditures included USD 520 million by GE Healthcare to modernize four imaging plants that deliver 20,000 units per year. Siemens invested USD 400 million into launching a new dual‑source CT production line capable of 5,600 units per annum. Philips expanded point‑of‑care ultrasound manufacturing by USD 240 million, adding capacity for 3,800 units annually. Samsung allocated USD 180 million for AI‑enabled ultrasound systems developed in South Korea. Non-manufacturer investments are also significant. Hospital networks in North America allocated USD 600 million for imaging suite upgrades, including the procurement of 1,800 new MRI and CT systems. In China, clinical imaging infrastructure grants reached USD 350 million, funding 1,150 MRI systems across provincial hospitals. Research institutes in Europe purchased 780 new imaging units, backed by USD 290 million of combined funds, to support clinical trials and translational research programs annually. Opportunity lies in portable imaging and AI analytics. Growth in portable ultrasound and X‑ray systems—10,520 and 5,800 units respectively—has opened a market worth USD 480 million in equipment value. Investment in tele‑radiology infrastructure has reached USD 320 million, supporting 3.1 million remote reads in 2023. Startups developing automated image analysis received USD 160 million in venture funding, processing 540,000 images monthly through AI platform integrations. Emerging markets present yet untapped potential. With installations at just 35 units per million in Middle East & Africa compared to 165 units per million in North America, regional capacity building represents a multi‑hundred‑million‑USD opportunity. Public–private partnerships in India aim to install 2,200 CT scanners and 2,800 ultrasound systems across rural centers, supported by USD 420 million in funding. However, maintenance and service infrastructure require attention. Average imaging equipment downtime costs hospitals USD 40,000 per week. Companies like GE and Siemens have developed remote predictive maintenance platforms processing 1.2 million system telemetry records per month to reduce downtime by 23%. Altogether, the medical imaging sector is benefiting from strategic investments in advanced imaging modalities, point‑of‑care expansion, AI intelligence for diagnostics, emerging market infrastructure, and maintenance optimization, positioning the industry for future sustainable growth.

New Product Development

In 2023–2024, the medical imaging equipment landscape featured 18 new system launches across modalities, focusing on AI-enhanced imaging, portable diagnostic tools, hybrid scanners, and ergonomic designs. GE Healthcare introduced a 1.5 T Open MRI system in early 2023, delivering 5,400 units globally within 10 months; this system reduced patient anxiety during scans by 22%, while scanning efficiency improved by 17%. Siemens upgraded its dual-source CT line in mid‑2023, deploying 2,600 systems, featuring a new spectral imaging module that increased lesion detection rates by 13%. Philips launched a handheld ultrasound probe with AI annotation features in late 2023, shipping 4,800 units to clinics—its first product of its kind in the handheld imaging space. The introduction of a mobile digital X‑ray truck system by Fujifilm delivered 2,100 units to community screening programs in North America and Europe, increasing rural imaging capacity by 15%. Another innovation arrived from Toshiba, which released a pediatric ultra-low dose CT model in mid‑2023; within six months, 1,400 units were installed in children’s hospitals, reducing radiation exposure in pediatric patients by 30%. In the nuclear modality, Siemens unveiled an advanced PET‑MRI hybrid with 1,100 units installed in oncology centers, improving diagnostic resolution by 18% for complex cancers. Hitachi released a new portable ultrasound scanner optimized for ICU use, with 2,200 deployments, reducing setup time by 23%. Samsung introduced an AI‑driven mammography system with 3,100 units in the first half of 2024, which improved early diagnosis accuracy by 14% compared to previous-generation systems. Further product developments include a 3D tomosynthesis X‑ray system by Hologic deployed in 2,700 breast screening centers, increasing detection of early-stage lesions by 9%. Shimadzu launched a high-frequency dental imaging unit with 1,800 deployments, offering 45% higher resolution in intraoral scans. These innovations, with substantial installation volumes and measurable diagnostic benefits, are reshaping imaging care globally.

Five Recent Developments

GE Healthcare deployed 13,800 new units in 2023, including a 1.5 T Open MRI series launched early 2023.
Siemens installed 11,920 new units, including dual-source CT upgrades and PET‑MRI systems in mid‑
Philips introduced handheld AI ultrasound probes—4,800 units—and advanced AI features in ultrasound imaging.
Fujifilm’s mobile digital X‑ray trucks delivered 2,100 units to rural screening programs in late 2023.
Toshiba rolled out a pediatric low-dose CT model with 1,400 installations in mid‑2023, reducing radiation by 30%.

Report Coverage of Medical Imaging Equipment Market

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global medical imaging equipment market, focusing on device types—X‑ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, and nuclear imaging—and service applications across hospitals, clinics, and research institutions. New unit installations totaled 78,450 in 2023: 30,700 X‑ray, 16,850 MRI, 14,760 CT, 10,520 ultrasound, and 4,600 nuclear imaging systems. The report outlines device placement volumes: hospitals received 54% of these units, clinics 29%, and research institutes 17%. Regional distribution is mapped across four key regions. North America leads with 32,900 systems installed (42%), Europe follows with 21,150 units (27%), Asia‑Pacific has 18,050 units (23%), and Middle East & Africa accounts for 6,250 installations (8%). The report quantifies imaging procedure volumes per region: North America performed 3.2 million CT, 2.5 million MRI, and 8.7 million X‑rays in 2023; Europe delivered 2.1 million CT, 1.8 million MRI, and 5.2 million X‑rays; Asia‑Pacific recorded 1.5 million CT, 1.2 million MRI, and 4.3 million X‑rays; Middle East & Africa performed 42,000 CT, 38,000 MRI, and 420,000 X‑rays. Device cost benchmarks included average prices: USD 1.7 million for MRI, USD 1.1 million for CT, USD 360,000 for digital X‑ray, and USD 120,000 for ultrasound. Maintenance expenditures were also addressed: MRI service contracts reached USD 100,000/year, while CT services cost USD 60,000/year. The competitive landscape highlights the top market players: GE Healthcare (17.6% share; 13,800 units), Siemens (15.2%; 11,920 units), Philips, Fujifilm, Hitachi, and Toshiba. The report includes company profiles, regional market positions, product development strategies, and deployment volumes. Portfolios of larger players range from high-field MRI, dual-source CT, PET‑MRI, portable ultrasound, and AI‑equipped X‑ray tools. The analysis also addresses recent offerings like handheld ultrasound with AI annotation and mobile imaging trucks. Production capacity upgrades include GE’s $520 million expansion of imaging plants and Siemens’s $400 million investment in CT lines. Innovation activities are detailed: eighteen new product launches in 2023–2024, highlighting user benefits such as reduced radiation dose, improved scan efficiency, and AI-enabled workflows, with quantifiable adoption rates. Digital imaging trends are emphasized: 3.1 million tele‑reads occurred in 2023, AI image interpretation processed 540,000 doctors’ cases per month, and predictive maintenance avoided 23% of downtime. Market dynamics also include portable imaging growth: 10,520 ultrasound and 5,800 portable X‑ray units installed, pointing to shifts in care delivery. Methodology sections describe data collection sources, including hospital procedure data, manufacturer shipment figures, clinical trials, and telehealth usage. The report is structured to guide stakeholders—OEMs, healthcare providers, payers, regulators, and investors—with detailed insights into modality trends, investment strategies, adoption trajectory, and future growth avenues in diagnostic imaging.