According to Fortune Business Insights, the global endoscopes market was valued at USD 26.63 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 27.95 billion in 2026 to USD 41.17 billion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 4.96% over the forecast period. North America was the leading regional market, holding a 34% revenue share in 2025.
Endoscopes remain central to minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment across many clinical fields. These optical instruments let clinicians visualize internal organs and cavities without resorting to open surgery, and demand is being pushed higher by the growing preference for minimally invasive procedures, rising disease burden, and continued advances in imaging technology. Hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), and specialty clinics are steadily expanding their use of these devices to boost procedural accuracy and improve patient outcomes.
The report also flags the United States as a particularly mature and procedure-heavy market. High healthcare spending, sophisticated hospital infrastructure, and broad uptake of minimally invasive techniques keep U.S. demand strong, with endoscopes used extensively in gastroenterology, urology, orthopedics, pulmonology, and general surgery. Growth in outpatient procedures at ASCs, along with innovations like high-definition and digitally integrated systems, is reinforcing the country's role as a core growth engine.
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Key Market Segments
By product type, flexible endoscopes hold roughly 50% of the market, benefiting from rising adoption in minimally invasive procedures, while rigid endoscopes account for about 40%, driven by widespread use in orthopedic, ENT, and urological work. Flexible devices are favored for reaching complex anatomical pathways in gastroenterology, pulmonology, and urology, while rigid endoscopes are prized in surgical settings such as arthroscopy and sinus procedures for their durability and image clarity. A smaller "other" category, including capsule and specialty endoscopes, rounds out the segment with continued innovation-driven growth potential.
By application, gastroenterology is the largest clinical segment, representing about 32% of the market and remaining the backbone of the industry due to high procedural volumes for conditions like ulcers, polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease, along with preventive colorectal and upper-GI screening programs. Urology follows at roughly 18% share, supported by procedures such as cystoscopy, ureteroscopy, and stone removal, while orthopedic applications — mainly arthroscopy of the knee, shoulder, hip, and ankle — account for close to 14%, propelled by sports injuries and age-related joint issues.
By end user, hospitals and ASCs together represent the largest customer base at around 26% share, reflecting high patient volumes and continued investment in advanced systems, while specialty clinics covering pulmonology, ENT, gynecology, and pain management contribute about 10%.
Regional Outlook
North America leads globally with a 34% share, backed by advanced healthcare infrastructure, favorable reimbursement for endoscopic procedures, and rapid adoption of digital and single-use systems. Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region at roughly 30% share, propelled by large aging populations, expanding hospital infrastructure, and government healthcare investment — China alone contributes close to 12%, while Japan, known for technological leadership in imaging, holds about 7%. Europe rounds out the top three with around 26% share, underpinned by strong public healthcare systems and preventive screening initiatives; within the region, Germany is the largest national market at roughly 8% and the UK holds about 6%.
Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities
The dominant growth driver remains the shift toward minimally invasive surgery, which lowers trauma, shortens recovery, and reduces complications compared with open procedures. Aging populations and rising rates of gastrointestinal, urological, and orthopedic disorders add further momentum. On the restraint side, high upfront equipment costs, sterilization and reprocessing requirements, and staff training needs can slow adoption, particularly among smaller facilities. The expansion of ambulatory surgical centers and outpatient diagnostic care represents a notable opportunity, as it favors compact, easy-to-use endoscopy systems. Infection risk tied to reusable devices and tightening regulatory scrutiny remain ongoing challenges that are pushing manufacturers toward single-use and improved reprocessing solutions.
Competitive Landscape
Key companies named in the report include Medtronic, Olympus, KARL STORZ, PENTAX Medical, FUJIFILM Corporation, STERIS, XION, and EnterMed. Olympus and KARL STORZ are cited as the top two players by market share, at approximately 21% and 17% respectively. Recent industry activity highlighted in the report includes the rollout of single-use endoscope systems, expansion of AI-assisted imaging platforms, compact endoscopy systems designed for ASCs, improved sterilization solutions, and strategic partnerships around digital integration.
Outlook
With steady procedural demand, an aging global population, and continuing innovation in imaging, single-use design, and AI-assisted diagnostics, the endoscopes market is positioned for consistent mid-single-digit growth through 2034, with outpatient care expansion and emerging-market healthcare investment offering the clearest upside.