Diagnostic Imaging Services Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Modality (X-ray, ultrasound, MRI scans, CT scans, Others), By Application (Cardiology, Oncology, Gynecology, Orthopedics, Others), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 647.64 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.17%
Fastest Growing Segment	X-ray
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 927.57 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market will grow from USD 647.64 Billion in 2025 to USD 927.57 Billion by 2031 at a 6.17% CAGR. The Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market comprises the provision of medical imaging procedures, including X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound, used to visualize the human body for diagnostic and treatment purposes. Growth in this sector is primarily driven by an aging global population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, which necessitate frequent and accurate monitoring. Furthermore, technological advancements in imaging modalities continue to expand clinical applications and improve patient throughput. According to the Royal College of Radiologists, in 2024, demand for CT and MRI imaging activity in the United Kingdom grew by 8%, reflecting the intensifying pressure and rising utilization rates observed across major healthcare systems.

Despite these positive demand indicators, the market faces a significant challenge regarding workforce capacity and operational costs. A critical shortage of radiologists and technical staff limits the ability of healthcare facilities to meet the escalating volume of scan requests, often resulting in diagnostic delays. This bottleneck is exacerbated by the high capital expenditure required for equipment and the financial strain of outsourcing reporting services to manage backlogs. Consequently, the inability to scale staffing levels commensurately with imaging demand remains a substantial hurdle impeding the seamless expansion of diagnostic imaging services globally.

Key Market Drivers

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

Technological advancements and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) represent the second major driver, fundamentally reshaping service delivery by enhancing diagnostic precision and operational efficiency. Innovations in AI algorithms are increasingly deployed to automate image analysis, reduce scan times, and prioritize urgent cases, essential for managing the overwhelming demand on radiology departments. According to MedTech Dive, October 2024, in the 'The number of AI medical devices has spiked in the past decade' article, FDA data reveals that as of August 2024, the agency had authorized 950 AI-enabled medical devices, with radiology applications accounting for the majority at 723 devices. These technologies are pivotal in mitigating systemic pressures and addressing capacity constraints across major health networks. For instance, according to NHS England, in 2024, the total number of patients waiting for a diagnostic test stood at approximately 1.56 million as of August, highlighting the urgent market need for efficient, tech-driven solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

The shortage of qualified radiologists and technical staff constitutes a significant structural barrier to the growth of the Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market. While healthcare providers can readily procure advanced imaging systems, the scarcity of specialized personnel required to operate machines and interpret scans creates a severe operational bottleneck. This disconnect between equipment availability and workforce capacity forces facilities to restrict service volumes, leading to extended patient wait times and preventing the organic expansion of diagnostic capabilities. Without a sufficient workforce, facilities cannot maximize the utilization of their imaging assets, which directly limits revenue generation and service scalability.

Consequently, the market struggles with inflated operational expenditures as providers attempt to bridge this gap. Healthcare systems are increasingly reliant on costly temporary staffing or outsourced reporting services to clear mounting backlogs, diverting critical capital away from infrastructure investment. According to the Royal College of Radiologists, in 2024, 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.

Key Market Trends

The Shift of Imaging Services to 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 necessity to reduce operational bottlenecks, lower procedural costs, and improve patient convenience through community-based delivery models. Governments and private providers are aggressively expanding these networks to manage waitlists and segregate elective diagnostics from emergency workflows. According to NHS England, September 2024, in the 'Community diagnostic centres' update, the national initiative to improve access has successfully scaled to 165 operational sites, which have collectively delivered over 9 million tests, checks, and scans since the program began, validating the high demand for decentralized services.

The Emergence of Theranostics and Precision Nuclear Medicine represents a transformative evolution where diagnostic imaging is directly coupled with targeted therapeutic delivery. This approach utilizes specific radiopharmaceuticals to identify unique molecular targets on tumor cells and subsequently deliver localized treatment, effectively merging diagnosis and therapy into a singular precision workflow. The rapid commercial adoption of these agents is evidenced by significant revenue surges for key industry manufacturers, creating new value streams beyond traditional hardware. According to GE HealthCare, February 2024, in the 'Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results', the company’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics segment, which produces the essential tracers for these advanced nuclear procedures, achieved an organic revenue growth of 23% in the fourth quarter, highlighting the intensifying market reliance on molecular imaging solutions.

Segmental Insights

The X-ray segment is projected to register the fastest growth within the Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market, largely attributed to the universal shift toward digital radiography. This technological evolution streamlines clinical workflows, allowing providers to manage higher patient volumes with greater efficiency. Moreover, X-rays serve as the primary diagnostic modality for varied medical conditions, offering a cost-efficient alternative to high-expense imaging techniques. The escalating prevalence of age-related orthopedic and respiratory ailments continues to propel the demand for these essential screening services globally.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market due to a well-established healthcare infrastructure and substantial national healthcare expenditure. The region experiences high demand for diagnostic procedures driven by an aging demographic and a rising prevalence of chronic conditions. This growth is further supported by favorable reimbursement frameworks established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which facilitate patient access to essential imaging tests. Additionally, the continuous adoption of new medical technologies and the strong presence of key market participants in the United States actively contribute to the sustained expansion of the regional sector.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, GE HealthCare and DeepHealth, a subsidiary of RadNet, signed a letter of intent to broaden their collaboration to include additional imaging modalities and global markets. The expanded partnership focused on integrating AI-powered informatics and workflow solutions into diagnostic systems to improve clinical accuracy and operational efficiency. Building on a previous successful integration in mammography, the companies planned to deploy AI-driven tools for thyroid imaging and remote scanning support within ultrasound and other segments. This joint initiative aimed to mitigate workforce shortages and streamline the diagnostic process for imaging centers and radiology departments worldwide.
• In May 2025, Philips announced a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to accelerate the development and deployment of artificial intelligence within magnetic resonance imaging. Unveiled during the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine annual meeting, the collaboration aimed to build a foundational model to optimize MRI workflows from image acquisition to reconstruction. By leveraging deep learning processors, the initiative sought to enable features such as zero-click scan planning and automated detection of clinical anomalies. This technological advancement was designed to significantly reduce scan times and improve image quality, addressing the growing need for increased throughput and diagnostic precision in imaging services.
• In April 2025, Siemens Healthineers formed a ten-year Value Partnership with Tower Health, a regional integrated healthcare system, to advance technology modernization and improve patient care. The long-term collaboration focused on standardizing and upgrading diagnostic imaging equipment across radiology, cardiology, and oncology departments. Under the agreement, the health system gained access to the latest medical technologies, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance systems, as well as digital intelligence tools for operational efficiency. The partnership aimed to streamline clinical workflows and ensure sustainable lifecycle management of the imaging fleet, thereby enhancing diagnostic capabilities and expanding capacity for the communities served.
• In April 2024, RadNet, a national leader in outpatient diagnostic imaging services, announced a definitive agreement to acquire six imaging centers in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area. This strategic expansion followed the company’s earlier purchase of seven centers from Houston Medical Imaging, increasing its total operational footprint in the region to thirteen facilities. The acquired centers, which previously operated under the American Health Imaging brand, were transitioned to offer a comprehensive suite of multimodal services, including MRI, CT, mammography, ultrasound, and X-ray. This consolidation was projected to contribute approximately $15 million in annual revenue and enhance the company's service delivery in a high-growth market.

Key Market Players

• 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.

By Modality	By Application	By Region
X-ray ultrasound MRI scans CT scans Others	Cardiology Oncology Gynecology Orthopedics Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Diagnostic Imaging Services Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• 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
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE