Diagnostic Imaging Services Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market is projected to expand from USD 647.64 Billion in 2025 to USD 927.57 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 6.17%. This sector encompasses the provision of medical imaging procedures such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound, which are utilized to visualize the human body for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Market growth is primarily driven by an aging global population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, which require frequent and accurate monitoring. Additionally, technological advancements in imaging modalities are broadening clinical applications and improving patient throughput; for instance, the Royal College of Radiologists reported an 8% increase in demand for CT and MRI imaging activity in the United Kingdom in 2024, highlighting the intensifying pressure and rising utilization rates within major healthcare systems.

Despite these positive demand indicators, the market encounters significant hurdles related to workforce capacity and operational costs. A critical shortage of radiologists and technical staff restricts the ability of healthcare facilities to handle the growing volume of scan requests, frequently leading to diagnostic delays. This bottleneck is further aggravated by the high capital expenditure necessary for equipment and the financial burden of outsourcing reporting services to clear backlogs. Consequently, the inability to scale staffing levels to match imaging demand remains a substantial barrier preventing the seamless expansion of diagnostic imaging services worldwide.

Market Drivers

The rising prevalence of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases acts as a primary catalyst for the global diagnostic imaging services market. As conditions such as cardiovascular disorders and malignancies become more widespread, clinical reliance on advanced imaging modalities for precise diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring intensifies. This trend is particularly notable in oncology, where early detection is vital for patient survival, driving a sustained increase in screening and diagnostic procedure volumes. According to the American Cancer Society's 'Cancer Facts & Figures 2024' report, the United States is projected to see over 2 million new cancer cases in 2024, a milestone that emphasizes the growing disease burden requiring comprehensive imaging support.

Technological advancements and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) serve as the second major driver, reshaping service delivery by improving diagnostic precision and operational efficiency. AI algorithms are increasingly being deployed to automate image analysis, reduce scan times, and prioritize urgent cases, which is essential for managing the high demand placed on radiology departments. As reported by MedTech Dive in October 2024, FDA data indicates that as of August 2024, the agency had authorized 950 AI-enabled medical devices, with radiology applications comprising the majority at 723 devices. These technologies are crucial for mitigating systemic pressures, a need highlighted by NHS England data showing approximately 1.56 million patients waiting for a diagnostic test as of August 2024.

Market Challenges

The shortage of qualified radiologists and technical staff presents a significant structural barrier to the growth of the Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market. Although healthcare providers can acquire advanced imaging systems, the scarcity of specialized personnel needed to operate these machines and interpret scans creates a severe operational bottleneck. This disconnect between equipment availability and workforce capacity compels facilities to limit service volumes, resulting in extended patient wait times and hindering the organic expansion of diagnostic capabilities. Without an adequate workforce, facilities are unable to maximize the utilization of their imaging assets, which directly constrains revenue generation and service scalability.

As a result, the market contends with inflated operational expenditures as providers attempt to bridge this staffing gap. Healthcare systems increasingly rely on expensive temporary staffing or outsourced reporting services to clear mounting backlogs, diverting critical capital away from infrastructure investment. The Royal College of Radiologists reported in 2024 that the United Kingdom faced a 30 percent shortfall in clinical radiology consultants. This chronic labor deficit forces healthcare organizations to prioritize operational maintenance over expansion, thereby impeding the broader development of the diagnostic imaging sector.

Market Trends

The shift of imaging services toward outpatient and ambulatory care settings is fundamentally altering patient pathways by decentralizing diagnostic access away from overburdened acute hospital facilities. This trend is driven by the need to alleviate operational bottlenecks, lower procedural costs, and enhance patient convenience through community-based delivery models. Governments and private providers are aggressively expanding these networks to manage waitlists and separate elective diagnostics from emergency workflows. According to an NHS England update in September 2024 regarding Community Diagnostic Centres, the national initiative has successfully scaled to 165 operational sites, delivering over 9 million tests, checks, and scans since the program began, validating the strong demand for decentralized services.

The emergence of theranostics and precision nuclear medicine represents a transformative evolution wherein diagnostic imaging is directly coupled with targeted therapeutic delivery. This approach employs specific radiopharmaceuticals to identify unique molecular targets on tumor cells and deliver localized treatment, effectively merging diagnosis and therapy into a single precision workflow. The rapid commercial adoption of these agents is evidenced by significant revenue increases for key industry manufacturers, creating value streams beyond traditional hardware. For example, GE HealthCare reported in its 'Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results' that its Pharmaceutical Diagnostics segment achieved 23% organic revenue growth in the fourth quarter, underscoring the intensifying market reliance on molecular imaging solutions.

Key Players Profiled in the Diagnostic Imaging Services Market

• Siemens Healthineers AG
• GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.
• Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation
• Canon Inc.
• Hitachi, Ltd.
• Carestream Health, Inc.
• Hologic Inc.
• Agfa HealthCare N.V.
• Samsung Medison Co., Ltd.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Diagnostic Imaging Services Market, by Modality:

• X-ray
• ultrasound
• MRI scans
• CT scans
• Others

Diagnostic Imaging Services Market, by Application:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Gynecology
• Orthopedics
• Others

Diagnostic Imaging Services Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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