RTLS in Healthcare Market Size & Outlook, 2026-2034

RTLS in Healthcare Market Overview

The global RTLS in healthcare market size is valued at USD 2.77 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 11.09 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 16.67% during the forecast period. The consistent market growth is supported by the rising adoption of wearable RTLS-enabled staff badges for accountability.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• North America held a dominant share of the global market, accounting for 44.86% in 2025.
• The Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the fastest pace, with a CAGR of 18.35%.
• Based on the component, the hardware segment held the highest revenue market share in 2025.
• By technology, the RFID segment dominated the market, accounting for 68.43% revenue share in 2025.
• By application, the inventory/asset tracking & management dominated the market in 2025.
• Based on end use, the hospitals segment dominated the market in 2025 with a revenue share of 59.68%.
• The U.S. dominates the market, valued at USD 984.02 billion in 2024 and reaching USD 1,143.83 billion in 2025.

Table: U.S. RTLS in Healthcare Market Size (USD Million)

Source: Straits Research

Market Size & Forecast

• 2025 Market Size: USD 2.77 billion
• 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 11.09 billion
• CAGR (2026-2034): 16.67%
• Dominating Region: North America
• Fastest-Growing Region: Asia Pacific

The RTLS in healthcare encompasses a wide range of components, such as hardware, software, and services, designed to deliver real time visibility and operational intelligence within medical environments. Utilizing advanced technologies such as RFID, BLE, UWB, Wi-Fi, and other location based systems, RTLS solutions enable precise inventory and asset tracking, personnel monitoring, access control, environmental monitoring, and supply chain automation. These systems are widely deployed across hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory care centers, and other healthcare institutions.

Latest Market Trends

Integration of AI and IoT Technologies in RTLS Solutions

A major trend in the RTLS in healthcare market is the growing integration of AI and IoT technologies to enhance real time tracking accuracy and data analytics capabilities. Healthcare facilities are increasingly adopting AI-supported RTLS platforms that allow predictive asset maintenance, automated workflow optimization, and advanced patient movement analytics. This trend underscores the market’s shift toward intelligent, data-driven healthcare environments, fostering improved operational efficiency and patient safety across hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Rising Adoption of Cloud-Based RTLS Platforms

The increasing shift toward cloud-based RTLS solutions is a key trend for RTLS in the healthcare market. These systems allow healthcare providers to access location data remotely, streamline system management, and ensure smooth data integration across multiple facilities. By reducing dependence on complex on-site infrastructure, cloud-based RTLS platforms offer improved flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency.

This growing adoption is allowing hospitals and care centers to enhance operational performance and patient safety through connected, data-driven insights.

To get more insights about this report Download Free Sample Report

RTLS in Healthcare Market Drivers

Increasing Focus on Patient Safety and Operational Efficiency

A key driver in the RTLS in healthcare market is the growing focus on enhancing patient safety and improving hospital operational efficiency. Healthcare institutions are increasingly implementing RTLS solutions to track critical assets, monitor patient movement, and ensure staff security in real time. For instance, in 2024, various U.S. hospitals partnered with CenTrak and Zebra Technologies to deploy RTLS-enabled workflow management systems, reducing equipment loss and patient wait times. Such initiatives are driving higher adoption of RTLS solutions across healthcare facilities.

Market Restraints

High Implementation Costs and Integration Challenges

The high cost of implementation and the complexity of integrating RTLS solutions with existing hospital systems is a key restraints for the market growth. Many healthcare facilities in developing regions face budget constraints that limit large-scale adoption. For instance, a 2024 report by Healthcare IT News highlighted that over 40% of mid sized hospitals in North America delayed RTLS upgrades due to integration difficulties and high maintenance expenses, thereby slowing overall market penetration and adoption rates.

Market Opportunity

Growing Adoption of RTLS Technologies within Smart Hospital Infrastructure

A key opportunity in the RTLS in healthcare market is the increasing integration of RTLS technologies within smart hospital infrastructure. As healthcare providers accelerate digital transformation, RTLS solutions are being adopted to enable data visibility, automate workflows, and enhance operational intelligence. These systems play a crucial role in improving patient flow, optimizing asset utilization, and ensuring staff safety. The rising focus on building connected, technology-driven healthcare environments is expected to create growth opportunities for RTLS adoption globally.

Regional Analysis

North America dominated the market in 2025, accounting for 44.86% market share. The growth is supported by the region’s favorable funding and grant programs for healthcare technology, which encourage hospitals and care facilities to adopt RTLS systems and modernize infrastructure to meet evolving healthcare standards.

The U.S. RTLS in healthcare market is experiencing notable growth due to stringent patient safety regulations and quality of care standards, which drive hospitals to implement tracking systems. These regulations encourage the adoption of RTLS solutions to monitor equipment, manage staff, and ensure compliance with national healthcare guidelines.

Asia Pacific Market Insights

Asia Pacific is emerging as a fastest growing region with a CAGR of 18.35% from 2026 to 2034. This growth is augmented by the expansion of urban healthcare networks, where new hospitals and medical centers are adopting RTLS technologies to enhance resource management and streamline clinical workflows.

In Japan, the government’s substantial subsidy programs are designated for upgrading healthcare IT infrastructure, including modernizing community hospitals and integrating smart medical device ecosystems, which lowers the entry barrier for RTLS and tracking solutions, which, in turn, supports the market growth.

Regional Market share (%) in 2025

Source: Straits Research

Europe Market Insights

A key factor driving market growth in Europe is the region’s ageing population combined with a rising chronic disease burden, which is increasing demand for the RFID and Wi-Fi to support patient mobility monitoring and secure management of patient information.

In Germany, the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals is a key driver for the RTLS in healthcare market growth. Hospitals are increasingly implementing these advanced solutions to automate non clinical tasks for staff, enhancing operational efficiency, optimizing workforce utilization, and ensuring the timely availability of critical medical resources.

Latin America Market Insights

Latin America’s market is growing steadily due to growing adoption of public private partnerships in healthcare, which is facilitating investment in advanced tracking systems that enhance medical asset utilization, strengthen inventory control, and support timely clinical interventions, ultimately improving healthcare efficiency and reducing costs.

In Brazil, the RTLS in healthcare market growth is strongly supported by the country’s expanding national digital health network, where increased connectivity and digital patient monitoring platforms are allowing hospitals and outpatient centres to deploy healthcare IT solutions for smarter asset and patient tracking across diverse care settings.

Middle East and Africa Market Insights

The Middle East and Africa market growth is propelled by the substantial investment in medical tourism infrastructure, where countries are upgrading hospitals with advanced location tracking technologies to attract international patients, enhance facility accreditation, and support high end specialty care services in competitive regional markets.

Saudi Arabia RTLS in healthcare market is witnessing growth driven by the government’s push to localise healthcare technology manufacturing and supply chains, which is increasing procurement of domestic RTLS hardware, thereby boosting investment in tracking systems within hospitals and clinics.

Component Insights

The hardware segment dominated the market in 2025, accounting for 47.19% revenue share, owing to the continuous advancement in sensor technology and tag miniaturization, which enhances location accuracy, reduces maintenance requirements, and supports seamless real-time tracking across complex healthcare environments.

The software segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR of 17.92% during the forecast period. This growth is fuelled by the increasing adoption of advanced analytics platforms that enable predictive insights and automate operational workflows in healthcare facilities.

By Component Market Share (%), 2025

Source: Straits Research

Technology Insights

The RFID segment dominated the market and accounted for the highest revenue share of 31.93% in 2025. This growth is attributed to its cost-effectiveness and ability to operate without line-of-sight requirements, which allows seamless tracking of assets and personnel across complex healthcare environments.

The UWB segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 17.21% during the forecast timeframe, owing to its rising adoption in hybrid RTLS architectures that combine multiple tracking technologies, enhancing system reliability, reducing signal interference, and supporting advanced automation in hospital settings.

Application Insights

The inventory/asset tracking & management segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 32.08% in 2025. This growth is augmented by growing demand for automated inventory auditing and compliance management systems that ensure accurate equipment documentation, support regulatory adherence, and minimize manual errors in healthcare operations.

The supply chain management & automation segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast timeframe, due to the increasing adoption of predictive inventory replenishment systems that optimize procurement cycles and reduce stockouts.

End Use Insights

The hospitals segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 59.68% in 2025. This growth is driven by rising focus on infection control and patient safety, as RTLS solutions assist in monitoring high-risk areas, managing equipment sterilization, and minimizing hospital-acquired infections.

Competitive Landscape

The global RTLS in Healthcare market is fragmented, with leading technology and healthcare solution providers capturing maximum market share. Key players strengthen their position through continuous innovation and comprehensive offerings across hardware, software, and services. Major companies include Zebra Technologies, CenTrak, Stanley Healthcare, Stanley Black & Decker, and others, that are focusing on expanding distribution, enhancing interoperability, and developing advanced RTLS solutions.

Cognosos, Inc.: An emerging market player

Cognosos, Inc., a U.S. based technology company, is emerging in the market with a focus on asset tracking and patient safety solutions for hospitals and care facilities.

• In 2023, Cognosos launched its cloud based RTLS platform, enhancing real time visibility of critical equipment and patient locations across healthcare networks.

Through innovative, scalable cloud solutions and integration with existing hospital workflows, Cognosos is establishing itself as a key emerging player in the global market.

List of key players in RTLS in Healthcare Market

1. Advantech Co., Ltd.
2. AiRISTA
3. Alien Technology
4. CenTrak, Inc. (a subsidiary of Halma plc.)
5. Cisco
6. Cognosos, Inc.
7. GE HealthCare
8. Identec Solutions AG
9. Impinj, Inc.
10. Midmark Corporation
11. MySphera
12. Oracle
13. Purelink Canada, Inc.
14. Seagull Software, LLC.
15. Securitas Healthcare, LLC
16. Siemens Healthineers
17. Sonitor Technologies
18. TeleTracking Technologies, Inc.
19. Ubisense
20. Zebra Technologies Corp.
21. Others

To get more findings about this report Download Market Share

Strategic Initiatives

• April 2025: SEUIC Technologies Co., Ltd., launched new RFID products, including the industry's first 100% Chinese manufactured RFID handheld reader and an AI powered fixed reader.
• March 2025: CenTrak, a leading developer of RTLS solutions, launched a fully integrated, plug-and-play Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) platform.