The global flexible endoscopes market is estimated to be valued at USD 10,186.6 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 18,589.8 million by 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% over the forecast period. The current market is driven by the rising prevalence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urological diseases alongside heightened demand for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Other factors contributing to the growth of the market includes demand for high-definition imaging and increased penetration of disposable endoscope which is reshaping procedural standards and patient outcomes. The market growth is further influenced by rising patient awareness, favourable reimbursement policies and investments in advanced endoscopic equipment and training support will collective drive the market growth over the forecast period.
Leading manufacturers such as Olympus Corporation, Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, EndoMed Systems and Fujifilm are accelerating market growth through continuous innovation in high-definition and ultra-thin endoscope development, AI-powered diagnostic systems, and introduction of disposable endoscopes. Key factors driving market expansion include the rising incidence of gastrointestinal cancers, increased demand for early disease detection, and regulatory support for infection control and patient safety.
Notably, in March 2024, Olympus launched two bronchoscopes as part of the EVIS X1 Endoscopy System. “We are excited to launch diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopes supported by our most advanced endoscopy system. Pulmonologists will have the confidence to expand their reach with bronchoscopes that combine a slim outer diameter, a large working channel and improved imaging.” said Swarna Alcorn, Business Unit Vice President, Olympus Corp.
North America remains the dominant region in the flexible endoscopes market, primarily due to high adoption of advanced medical technologies and robust investment in diagnostic imaging modalities. The region leadership is strengthened by the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer and gastrointestinal disorders, driving demand for early and accurate diagnostic procedures. Key factors contributing to growth include rapid uptake of disposable endoscopes, stringent regulatory standards, and a strong focus on patient safety and infection control.
Ongoing investments in medical staff training and research and development further bolster the region’s market position. Europe’s flexible endoscopes market is characterized by superior preventive healthcare frameworks, early disease detection protocols, and high-quality medical care, especially in countries like Germany, the UK, and France. The region is experiencing robust growth due widespread adoption of high-definition and 3D imaging technologies in endoscopic procedures.
In 2025, gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is projected to hold 32% of the revenue share in the flexible endoscopes market. This dominance is attributed to the increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, and gastrointestinal bleeding, which require early and accurate diagnostic procedures. GI endoscopy is a preferred method for diagnosing and monitoring these conditions due to its minimally invasive nature and ability to provide real-time visualization of the GI tract.
The rise in health awareness, coupled with an aging global population, has significantly contributed to the demand for GI endoscopy procedures. Additionally, advancements in flexible endoscope technology, such as improved image quality and maneuverability, have enhanced diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
The growing emphasis on preventive healthcare and routine screenings, such as colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, has further fueled the growth of the GI endoscopy segment. As the demand for early diagnosis and minimally invasive procedures continues to rise, GI endoscopy is expected to maintain its leading position in the flexible endoscope market.
In 2025, hospitals are expected to capture 37.3% of the revenue share in the flexible endoscopes market. This leadership position is driven by the high volume of endoscopic procedures performed in hospital settings, where advanced medical infrastructure and specialized healthcare professionals are readily available. Hospitals are the primary location for both routine and complex endoscopic procedures, particularly in departments such as gastroenterology, pulmonology, and surgery.
The adoption of flexible endoscopes in hospitals has been accelerated by their ability to provide high-quality, real-time imaging for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, offering better clinical outcomes and reducing the need for invasive surgeries. Additionally, hospitals have the resources to invest in the latest endoscopic technology, enabling more efficient procedures and improved patient safety.
The rise in hospital-based outpatient procedures, coupled with increasing healthcare access and advancements in flexible endoscope systems, has reinforced the dominance of hospitals as the leading end-user segment in the flexible endoscopes market.
High Costs, Infection Control Risks, and Regulatory Compliance
Challenges for the flexible endoscopes market endoscopic systems are expensive, posing a challenge for the market. More so, budget constraints in many healthcare facilities especially in underdeveloped areas has hindered the adoption of HD and robotic-assisted flexible endoscopes. Infection control risks pose another major challenge as reprocessing and sterilization of endoscopes continue to represent key concerns.
The need for stringent regulation has been imposed as improper cleaning or disinfection protocols may lead to cross-contamination and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Moreover, compliance with regulatory authorities like FDA, CE Mark, and ISO medical device standards mandates rigorous requirements for reprocessing validation, biocompatibility, and endoscope function, complicating compliance and raising costs.
Growth in Single-Use Endoscopes, AI-Driven Imaging, and Robotic-Assisted Procedures
Nevertheless, some trends are shaping the future of the flexible endoscopes market and rise of a single-use (disposable) endoscopes, AI-powered diagnostics and robotic-assisted endoscopic procedures. The rapidly growing adoption of single-use flexible endoscopes, driven by infection control advantages and regulatory backing, especially strong in bronchoscopy, urology, and gastroenterology segments.
In addition, AI-savvy endoscopy systems are transforming real-time lesion detection, polyp classification, and automated report generation, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy. The funneling of increasingly sophisticated robotic-assisted endoscopy systems and advancements in minimally invasive surgery have further popularized the use of flexible endoscopes in complicated surgical procedures.
The flexible endoscopes market in the USA is proliferating at an unprecedented rate due to the rising trend of minimally invasive surgical procedures and increasing demand for detection tests. Key factors driving market growth include the adoption of robotic-assisted endoscopic surgical techniques, rising prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, and investments in public healthcare infrastructure. Technological innovative regarding disposable and single-use flexible endoscopes remains another factor responsible to drive segmental growth.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 57.8% |
Due to the growing adoption of AI-assisted and video endoscopy systems, the United Kingdom market for Flexible Endoscopes is expanding at a healthy pace. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) is prioritizing endoscopic screenings for early disease detection, especially for gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions. Moreover, the increasing penetration of tele-endoscopy and remote diagnostics is also supporting the demand for the market.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 57.5% |
The flexible endoscopes market trend in the European Union is expanding due to the growing cases of colorectal cancer, lung disorders, and urological diseases. These HD and 3D imaging technologies are now also more integrated with flexible endoscopy, and they improve the accuracy of the procedure. Tight EU regulations accelerating the production of endoscopes with a high degree of biocompatibility and sterilization-friendly are also driving market trends.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | 57.6% |
Japan's flexible endoscopes market is showing remarkable growth, expected due to the changing optical technology, miniaturization, and planned endoscopy. Market growth is fueled by an aging population and a high level of demand for early detection cancer screening procedures. Innovative capsule endoscopy along with ultra-thin endoscopes are also changing the face of the industry.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 57.5% |
In South Korea, the Flexible Endoscopes market is experiencing growth driven by escalating investment in healthcare digitization, robotic-assisted procedures, and endoscopic AI analytics. The demand is fuelled by increasing adoption of 4K and AI-powered visualization systems in hospitals and diagnostic centers.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 57.8% |
Factors such as the rising demand for minimally invasive procedures, advancements in high-definition imaging, and AI-powered diagnostics are increasing the growth of flexible endoscopes market. Innovation in next-generation flexible endoscopy solutions is being driven by rising cases of gastrointestinal disorders, increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases, and cancer screening programs.
Hence, companies are targeting in AI-powered image assessment, boosted agility, and advancements in sterilization to increase diagnostic precision, patient safety and operational efficiency.
Olympus Corporation (18-22%)
Olympus leads the flexible endoscope market, offering AI-driven endoscopic imaging, minimally invasive diagnostic solutions, and infection-resistant single-use endoscopes.
Karl Storz SE & Co. KG (12-16%)
Karl Storz specializes in high-definition flexible endoscopy, ensuring AI-powered optical enhancements, ergonomic device designs, and improved maneuverability.
Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (10-14%)
Fujifilm provides ultra-HD flexible endoscopy systems, optimizing AI-assisted lesion detection, high-resolution imaging, and digital endoscopy advancements.
Boston Scientific Corporation (8-12%)
Boston Scientific focuses on single-use endoscopy solutions, integrating AI-powered real-time navigation, infection prevention, and enhanced portability.
Ambu A/S (5-9%)
Ambu develops disposable flexible endoscopes, ensuring AI-driven contamination control, cost-effective imaging, and simplified endoscopy workflows.
Other Key Players (30-40% Combined)
Several medical device manufacturers, AI-driven diagnostic companies, and endoscopy solution providers contribute to next-generation flexible endoscope innovations, AI-powered visualization improvements, and real-time endoscopic diagnostics. These include:
The overall market size for the flexible endoscopes market was USD 10,186.6 million in 2025.
The flexible endoscopes market is expected to reach USD 18,589.8 million in 2035.
Growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, rising demand for minimally invasive procedures, technological advancements in endoscopic imaging, and expanding applications in diagnostics and surgical interventions.
The top 5 countries driving the development of the flexible endoscopes market are the USA, Germany, China, Japan, and India.
Video Endoscopes and Fiber Optic Endoscopes are expected to command a significant share over the assessment period.
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Flexible Endoscopes Market
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