Saudi Arabia Diagnostic Imaging Market Size

Saudi Arabia Diagnostic Imaging Market Analysis

The Saudi Arabia Diagnostic Imaging Market size is estimated at USD 399.92 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 483.06 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.85% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

• The diagnostic imaging market was adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic owing to the cancellations in elective procedures, including diagnosis of various diseases. For instance, per a research article published in October 2021, the total imaging volumes were 159,107 in 2020 in Aseer Region in Saudi Arabia, accounting for a 22.7% overall reduction compared to the previous year. The research also concluded that according to modality type, the highest decreases were reported in nuclear medicine, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mammography, by 100%, 76%, 74%, and 66%, respectively. However, as the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and diagnostic services resumed, the market has been recovering well over the last two years.
• The studied market is majorly influenced by factors such as the increasing chronic disease burden in the country along with the rising geriatric population and increased adoption of advanced medical technologies in medical imaging.
• In Saudi Arabia, cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and a significant contributor to rising healthcare costs. The most common cancers in Saudi Arabia are breast, colorectal, prostate, brain, lymphoma, kidney, and thyroid respectively. According to Globocan, the country's total number of cancer cases was 27,885 in 2020 and is expected to reach 60,429 by 2040. As per the same source, in 2020, around 4,807 and 3,842 new cancer cases were reported in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait, respectively. Hence, the rising prevalence of cancer is estimated to boost the demand for disease diagnosis and further drive market growth.
• Moreover, the elderly population is prone to chronic diseases, and with the rise in this population, the importance of diagnostic imaging is expected to increase in the country. According to a research article published in December 2021, older people aged 65 years or above represented 3.2% of the total population in 2020 in Saudi Arabia. The aging population is estimated to reach its peak by 2050. Hence, the increasing geriatric population will likely demand advanced healthcare services, contributing to market growth.
• Besides, there is a demand for advanced technologies in the country, leading the major players to develop hybrid imaging systems. In Saudi Arabia, several hospitals have deployed image archiving and communication systems (PACS), and much of the research on PACS has been done in Riyadh.
• According to a March 2021 report, Saudi Arabian physicians and radiologists had overwhelmingly positive views of the PACS system. The study carried out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, positively affected users' work and raised their satisfaction. Therefore, it is anticipated that physicians' positive view of PACS toward imaging modalities will open up new opportunities for diagnostic imaging in the nation and propel the expansion of the investigated market.
• However, the high cost of diagnostic imaging equipment is expected to hinder the market growth.