Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Aging population and elderly care demand: As the residents worldwide age rapidly, demand for advanced tools from the market increases, particularly to detect neurological and musculoskeletal ailments. Testifying to the same, the Census Bureau predicted the proportion of geriatric citizens, aged over 65, in the U.S. to attain 21.4% of the net population by the end of 2030. Besides, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) reported that more than 35.2% of elderly patients in Japan require annual imaging scans, and 20.3% among them lack access due to rural healthcare disparities. This creates lucrative opportunities for portable and cost-effective imaging solutions.
• AI and automation in imaging workflows: The robust penetration of AI technology in the healthcare industry is emerging as a major growth factor in the market. Exemplifying the advantages of using such technologies in radiology, a 2023 study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) demonstrated a 40.3% reduction in image interpretation time. Based on such validation, the FDA gave fast-tracked clearance for AI-Rad Companion by Siemens Healthineers, which provides automated lung nodule detection. Moreover, the notable efficiency gains with AI integration potentially reduce radiologist workloads by 15-20 hours per week, addressing critical staffing shortages while improving diagnostic throughput and accuracy.

Challenges

• Limitations from affordability criteria: As economic barriers are still persistent in various landscapes, the diagnostic imaging equipment market continues to face difficulties in wide expansion. For instance, in 2023, price pressures intensified in Germany after the G-BA reduced MRI reimbursements by 15.3%, forcing manufacturers to bundle value-added AI analytics to protect margins. Similarly, in the U.S., only 32.2% of Medicaid patients receive advanced imaging due to restrictive prior authorization requirements, as per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
• Maintenance and operational costs: The absence of a proper maintenance workforce and resources in developing countries, particularly in Africa, is impacting the adoption rate in the diagnostic imaging equipment market. According to the WHO, 30.2% of associated detection devices across Africa are non-functional due to maintenance gaps. This is also a result of high downtime rates, which severely limit diagnostic capacity, delay patient care, and reduce the cost-effectiveness. However, recent initiatives to deploy sufficient service infrastructure, training programs, and sustainable solutions are helping ensure reliable access to diagnostic imaging, even in underserved regions.