MEDICAL THERMOMETER MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)
The global medical thermometer market is estimated to be valued at USD 2.20 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.86 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2024 to 2031.
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The market is expected to showcase positive growth over the forecast period owing to the increasing prevalence of fever and other illnesses globally. The medical thermometer market is anticipated to witness significant demand in the coming years due to the rising trend of self-monitoring of health conditions at home settings. Technological advancements such as smart thermometers with advanced connectivity options are gaining popularity among consumers. Fever detection thermometers are finding increasing applications in hospitals, clinics as well as for personal use at home to measure body temperature accurately and precisely.
Increased focus on digital thermometers
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, medical thermometers have gained increased importance as one of the primary tools for the screening of possible infections and monitoring body temperature. This has propelled more consumers and healthcare providers to adopt digital medical thermometers which are faster, more convenient and hygienic to use compared to traditional mercury-based thermometers. Digital thermometers provide instant temperature readings on an easy-to-read digital display without any exposure to mercury, thus minimizing infection risks. They also store past temperature readings which can be consulted for tracking trends over time. These features have made them a preferred choice for regular check-ups of patients in hospitals and fever screening in public places. With growing awareness about the advantages of digital thermometers, consumers too are opting for them for personal and family use at home. Various studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the effectiveness of temperature screening in identifying potentially infected individuals and slowing down community. Digital infrared thermometers are faster, more accurate, and safer to use than traditional glass mercury thermometers, according to data released by Southern Trading Company in July 2022. Beyond the benefits of digital mercury-free thermometers, the primary drivers of the market's expansion include rising infectious diseases, for which taking a patient's temperature is essential for diagnosis and necessitates an accurate reading. The WHO estimates that there were 241 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2020. The three main signs of malaria are chills, fever, and headache.
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Technological advancements in thermometer devices
Technological advancements are playing a vital role in driving the growth of the global medical thermometer market. Traditional mercury and digital thermometers are being rapidly replaced by advanced smart thermometers that provide swift, accurate, and convenient temperature readings. Smart thermometers connect to mobile apps via Bluetooth and allow remote temperature monitoring as well as logging of readings over time for diagnosis and record keeping. This eliminates inaccuracies associated with manual readings and offers valuable health analytics to both patients and healthcare providers. Companies are investing heavily in developing advanced infrared thermometers that provide contactless readings in a matter of seconds. These thermometers are proved to be very useful during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as they minimize risks of virus transmission through physical contact. Healthcare facilities across different countries have opted for infrared thermometers for mass screenings at public places like airports as mandated by WHO. According to the WHO operational considerations for COVID-19 management in healthcare facilities published in 2021, infrared thermometers should be used for triaging or screening of any individual with respiratory symptoms or history of contact with COVID-19 patients before allowing entry into healthcare facility.
Key Takeaways from Analyst:
The global medical thermometer market is experiencing steady growth driven by the increasing prevalence of fever and various infectious diseases across the globe. Rising awareness about early diagnosis and treatment of illnesses is also propelling more people to regularly check their body temperature using a medical thermometer. Furthermore, growing geriatric population who are more susceptible to health issues will continue boosting the demand for medical thermometers over the next decade.
However, the market growth can be hampered by the availability of alternative temperature monitoring devices such as infrared thermometers and wearable smart patches. Moreover, consumers' overdependence on smartphones for health monitoring apps may challenge standalone medical thermometer sales. Inaccurate readings from certain low-cost devices can also dent the market's credibility.
On the geographic front, North America is expected to maintain its lead, supported by well-established healthcare infrastructure and high health awareness among individuals. Within the region, the U.S. accounts for the largest share. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific will emerge as the fastest-growing market due to the rising health consciousness in developing nations like China and India.
Overall, the introduction of more accurate and user-friendly digital thermometers, especially in the pediatric and oral variants, provide lucrative opportunities for manufacturers to expand their revenue streams.
Market Challenges: Accuracy issues of certain thermometer types
The accuracy issues of certain thermometer types are posing a major challenge for the growth of the global medical thermometer market. Thermometers that provide inaccurate temperature readings can lead to incorrect diagnosis and treatment decisions by healthcare professionals. This compromises patient safety and care. Non-contact infrared thermometers have gained popularity in the last couple of years due to convenience of use without direct contact. However, various independent studies show that many infrared thermometers in the market today provide temperature readings that vary significantly from the actual body temperature. For example, the World Health Organization conducted a study in 2022 across several countries evaluating top-selling infrared thermometer brands available in the market. It was found that nearly 42% of thermometers yielded temperature readings with errors greater than 0.5 degree Celsius compared to readings from calibrated medical-grade thermometers. Such wide margin of errors can mislead diagnosis of important conditions like fever. This erodes confidence in infrared thermometers and discourages doctors from recommending them to patients.
Market Opportunities: Integration of thermometers with mobile apps and IoT devices
The integration of medical thermometers with mobile applications and IoT devices offers tremendous opportunities for growth in the global medical thermometer market. With more people adopting smartphones and other connected devices in their daily lives, connecting thermometers to digital platforms allows for easier and more efficient temperature monitoring. Patients can use Bluetooth-enabled thermometers to record and track their temperature readings right from their phones. This streamlines the process as they no longer need to note down values manually. The readings are automatically logged in apps that may also integrate with healthcare portals or share data with doctors. This facilitates remote monitoring and telehealth, important trends that grew amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Apps can also set reminders and schedules for taking temperature, helping promote medication adherence and self-care routines.
Connecting devices to the Internet of Things (IoT) expands functionality further. Integrated systems allow data captured by the thermometer to be shared with other smart home devices and appliances. For example, temperature information could trigger the adjustment of thermostats or humidifiers based on the readings. During illnesses, this makes maintaining comfort levels more convenient. Integrated systems also enable remote family members to keep tabs on a patient's condition from anywhere. This helps care for elderly populations and children.
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By Product Type: Adoption of Safety Standards Drives the Growth of Mercury-free Thermometers
Mercury-free thermometers is expected to contribute the highest share of the global medical thermometer market. This segment is expected to account for 60.10% of the market share in 2024 due to stringent regulations regarding the use of mercury. Mercury is a hazardous material that can pose serious health risks if released into the environment or absorbed through the skin. Several international organizations have imposed bans and restrictions on the use of mercury in medical devices to protect both users and the environment. Stringent safety standards issued by regulatory bodies like the USFDA in the U.S. have driven major thermometer manufacturers to shift away from mercury-based products. Non-mercury thermometers are now mandatory in most healthcare facilities and hospitals across developed markets. This ensures a safe experience for patients and medical staff while meeting regulatory compliance. The push for mercury-free alternatives is also driven by increased awareness among consumers regarding mercury poisoning.
Leading thermometer brands have introduced innovative digital and infrared thermometers that provide faster, easy-to-use, and safer temperature readings compared to mercury bulbs. Advanced technologies offer added advantages like memory storage and wireless data sharing. Their superior accuracy and rising adoption among healthcare professionals and home users is boosting the mercury-free segment. Lower production costs compared to traditional glass mercury thermometers also make alternate technologies more cost-effective for manufacturers. This has enabled brands to aggressively market digital variants across both professional and retail markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the demand for non-contact infrared thermometers for temperature screening in public places and workspaces.
By End User: Hospitals Drive High Usage of Thermometers
The hospitals and clinics segment is expected to contribute the leading share in the global medical thermometer industry, accounting for 35% of the market share in 2024 owing to high consumption across healthcare facilities. Fever detection and temperature monitoring is an essential diagnostic procedure conducted millions of times daily worldwide in hospitals, clinics, and medical examination centers. Thermometers are used extensively not just for patients but also for screening caregivers and visitors to healthcare premises. International healthcare organizations recommend routine temperature checks for all individuals entering hospitals as an effective screening method for early detection of viral illnesses. This drives bulk recurring procurement of thermometers by hospitals.
Public health programs in several countries also mandate the regular monitoring of children and elderly individuals living in healthcare facilities. Additionally, post-surgery divisions, intensive care, and neonatal units have heightened the requirements for close patient temperature surveillance. Large hospitals therefore maintain sizable thermometer inventories for round-the-clock usage. Availability of reimbursements on medical equipment purchases by hospitals through public and private insurance further fuels higher adoption compared to other end-user segments like home use. Major players in the Medical thermometer market consequently prioritize the hospitals segment through customized product offerings and supply chain solutions tailored for bulk buyers.
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North America has traditionally dominated the global medical thermometer market. The region is expected to account for 35.1% of the market share in 2024 owing to some key factors. With the presence of prominent players such as Omron Healthcare and Exergen Corporation, the region enjoys strong product innovation and portfolio expansion capabilities. These companies continue to invest heavily in R&D to develop advanced medical thermometers using cutting-edge technologies. This gives North American players an edge over competitors from other regions.
From basic mercury and digital thermometers to advanced infrared and blue dot devices, the North American market offers a wide variety of products to cater to diverse healthcare needs. Ease of access to these products through major retailers like CVS and Walgreens further consolidates the region's leadership. North America also has a highly developed pharmaceutical industry and healthcare infrastructure which contributes to sizeable demand for continuous monitoring devices like medical thermometers. Stringent regulatory approvals and certification procedures ensure quality standards are met.
The Asia Pacific region has been witnessing exponential growth in the medical thermometer market owing to its massive population base and rapid economic development. Countries like China, India, and Japan are global manufacturing hubs with strong exporting activities. International players have established manufacturing facilities in these low-cost destinations to gain regional market access and scale up operations. This has given momentum to product adoption across Asia Pacific.
Favorable government policies aimed at improving public health awareness and access to primary care services are boosting domestic consumption. In addition, growing medical tourism and wellness tourism industries in Thailand, Singapore, and India have significantly increased thermometer usage. The availability of affordable products tailored to local needs has propelled the region to become one of the fastest growing medical thermometer markets globally.
Medical Thermometer Market Report Coverage
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Year: | 2023 | Market Size in 2024: | US$ 2.20 Bn |
| Historical Data for: | 2019 To 2023 | Forecast Period: | 2024 To 2031 |
| Forecast Period 2024 to 2031 CAGR: | 8.4% | 2031 Value Projection: | US$ 3.86 Bn |
| Geographies covered: |
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| Companies covered: |
Medline Industries, Inc., Welch Allyn, Medtronic, OMRON Corporation, America Diagnostics Corporation, 3M Company, Microlife Corporation, Briggs Healthcare, Exergen Corporation, Terumo Corporation, Medtronic PLC, Geratherm Medical AG, Exergen Corporation, A&D Company, Limited, BPL Medical Technologies, Rossmax International Ltd., and Radiant Innovation Inc. |
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*Definition: The global medical thermometer market aims to provide ambulatory infusion services to patients outside of a traditional hospital setting. These centers allow patients to receive outpatient intravenous therapies like antibiotics, chemotherapy, hydration, or other medications in a comfortable clinic environment. They are an important alternative for care that does not require overnight hospital stays, helping to improve access and convenience for patients while reducing healthcare costs.
About Author
Manisha Vibhute
Manisha Vibhute is a consultant with over 5 years of experience in market research and consulting. With a strong understanding of market dynamics, Manisha assists clients in developing effective market access strategies. She helps medical device companies navigate pricing, reimbursement, and regulatory pathways to ensure successful product launches.
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