Nuclear Medicine Market to Reach USD 61.4 Billion by 2036

 

The Nuclear Medicine Market is projected to grow from USD 21.3 billion in 2025 to USD 61.4 billion by 2036 at a 10.1% CAGR, according to Fact.MR.

ROCKVILLE, MD — October 5, 2026 — The global Nuclear Medicine Market is projected to reach USD 61.4 billion by 2036, rising from USD 21.3 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%, according to Fact.MR. The market is estimated at USD 23.5 billion in 2026 and is expected to create an absolute dollar opportunity of USD 37.9 billion between 2026 and 2036.

The market is expanding as diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, and nuclear imaging equipment gain wider clinical and institutional use. Oncology remains the leading application, while hospitals represent the largest end-use segment. China and India are projected to record the fastest country-level growth through 2036.

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Why the market is expanding now

Theranostic adoption is reshaping demand across nuclear medicine. The approach combines diagnostic imaging with targeted radionuclide therapy, creating demand for both diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy for metastatic prostate cancer is another key factor, following FDA approval of Pluvicto from Novartis.

PET-CT procedure volumes are also supporting demand. Fact.MR identifies oncology staging, restaging, and treatment response assessment as areas sustaining demand for F-18 FDG and emerging PET tracers. Cyclotron and radiopharmacy capacity expansion is improving access to short-half-life radiopharmaceuticals in previously underserved markets.

Diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals retain the largest product share

Diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals are expected to account for 47.3% of the product segment in 2026, making them the leading product category. Technetium-based radiopharmaceuticals, including technetium cardiology and oncology imaging agents, represent major procurement categories.

Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals form the second-largest product category. Demand is concentrated around beta emitters and iodine therapy agents, while lutetium and emerging alpha-emitting therapies are creating additional opportunities.

On the application side, oncology is projected to account for 42.6% in 2026. Tumor detection, solid tumor imaging, metastasis detection, targeted radionuclide therapy, and response monitoring are among the covered application areas.

Hospitals account for 48.9% of the end-use segment in 2026, supported by procurement across public and private institutions. Diagnostic imaging centers represent the second-largest end-use category.

Theranostics changes the commercial model

Theranostics is identified by Fact.MR as the structural trend shaping the next phase of nuclear medicine. Diagnostic PET tracers can identify patients whose tumors express specific targets, while therapeutic isotopes such as lutetium-177 or actinium-225 can then be linked to the same targeting molecule.

Novartis Pluvicto is identified in the research as the first major commercial theranostic product. The commercial model extends across diagnostic PET tracers, therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, follow-up imaging, and radiopharmacy infrastructure.

Shambhu Nath Jha, Principal Consultant at Fact.MR, said, “The nuclear medicine market is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades, driven by theranostic adoption, therapeutic radiopharmaceutical pipeline expansion, and emerging isotope technologies.”

Jha added, “The market growth trajectory depends on three factors: therapeutic radiopharmaceutical pipeline success, radioisotope supply security, and institutional infrastructure investment.”

China and India lead country growth

China is projected to grow at a 12.4% CAGR through 2036, supported by PET-CT installation expansion, government cyclotron investment, and theranostic development. India follows with an 11.7% CAGR, supported by BARC radioisotope production, expanding PET-CT infrastructure, and Lu-177 therapy adoption.

The United States is projected to grow at 10.9%, while Brazil is expected to expand at 10.2%. Germany, the UK, and Japan are forecast to grow at 9.6%, 9.1%, and 8.4%, respectively.

In India, BARC produces medical isotopes including technetium-99m generators and iodine-131 for domestic distribution. PET-CT installations across private hospital chains and dedicated imaging centers are expanding diagnostic nuclear medicine access.

Supply constraints remain a market consideration

Radioisotope supply chain vulnerability remains a constraint, particularly for molybdenum-99 and technetium-99m production that depends on aging research reactor infrastructure. High capital costs for PET-CT scanners and cyclotrons can also limit access to larger hospitals and dedicated imaging centers.

Radiation safety requirements and waste management obligations add operational complexity for nuclear medicine departments.

Fact.MR's research draws on 120-plus secondary sources, 65-plus company product portfolios, and more than 25 primary interviews with manufacturers, distributors, buyers, and institutional users. Market sizing covers more than 30 countries and uses demand-side modelling supported by top-down validation.

Extractable Fact Block: Fact.MR is a market research company that provides global market sizing, forecasting, competitive analysis, and industry research based on secondary research, primary interviews, and forecast modelling.

About Fact.MR

Fact.MR is a market research and consulting firm providing market intelligence, forecasting, competitive analysis, and strategic research across global industries. Its research combines secondary sources, primary interviews, market modelling, and validation methods to assess market size, demand patterns, technology adoption, and competitive developments.