Asia-Pacific Radiotherapy Market Outlook, 2031

Market Drivers

• Large and aging population driving cancer incidence: The primary driver of the Asia Pacific radiotherapy market is the region's large and rapidly aging population. Asia Pacific is home to over 60% of the world's population, with countries such as China, India, and Japan experiencing significant demographic shifts. India accounts for 7% of global cancer incidence, ranking third after China and the USA. By the end of 2025, the incidence of cancer in India is projected to reach 1.57 million cases. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare projects that radiotherapy demand will increase by 24% between 2025 and 2040. The IAEA has highlighted the need to expand access to radiotherapy and nuclear medicine in low and middleincome countries across the region.
• Sustained government investment in healthcare infrastructure: Governments across Asia Pacific are making substantial investments in modernising healthcare infrastructure, including radiotherapy facilities. China's National Health Commission has mandated the planning of heavyion proton radiotherapy systems through its 2025 Class A large medical equipment configuration licensing round. As of December 2025, 42 hospitals across China have been approved to configure heavyion proton radiotherapy systems. India's Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified a significant infrastructure deficit, recommending interventions to meet the gap in machines needed for cancer care. Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare projects that radiotherapy demand will increase by 1.24 times from 2025 to 2040, with radiotherapy patient numbers estimated to grow from 288,000 to 357,000.
• Rising awareness and improving access to cancer care: Increasing awareness of cancer and the benefits of radiotherapy is driving demand across the region. The IAEA's Rays of Hope initiative is delivering radiotherapy machines, oncology training, and comprehensive planning frameworks to areas where health systems struggle to meet the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases. In highincome countries, 90% of cancer patients have access to radiotherapy, while in middleincome countries it is 60% and in lowincome countries only 10% of patients benefit from this essential cancer care. In Australia, the Medicare Benefits Schedule provides subsidised access to radiation therapy, with Medicare covering a significant portion of the cost for eligible services.

Market Challenges

• Significant infrastructure deficits in emerging economies: A major challenge facing the Asia Pacific radiotherapy market is the substantial infrastructure deficit in many emerging economies. An ICMR study found that for India's projected population of 1.45 billion in 2025, a minimum of 1,450 machines are required based on WHO recommendations, yet only 794 megavoltage machines are currently availablea shortfall of approximately 45%. Current radiotherapy utilisation in India is only 28.5%, which is less than half of the required level of 58.4%. Breast, head and neck, lung and cervical cancer account for 60% of India's radiotherapy needs. The study recommended that India would require 1,585 to 2,545 machines.
• Workforce shortages and training gaps: Staffing shortages remain a key concern across Asia Pacific, with many centres facing difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified medical physicists, radiation oncologists, and radiation therapists. The IAEA is supporting workforce development through its technical cooperation programme, including training and capacity building. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has partnered with the IAEA to boost the radiation medicine workforce and help build care capacity across the Asia Pacific region. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare projects that the number of radiation therapy specialists will increase to 2,000 by 2040. However, the shortage of specialised personnel limits the capacity to operate newly acquired equipment and can lead to delays in treatment.
• Uneven access to cuttingedge equipment across the region: While countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Australia have advanced radiotherapy infrastructure, many emerging economies face significant budget constraints. The IAEA has noted that radiotherapy is still unavailable in nearly onethird of countries globally, with many lowincome countries needing increased availability of radiotherapy services. This uneven access leads to disparities in treatment quality and patient outcomes across the region.

Market Trends

• Expansion of proton and heavyion therapy centres: A major trend shaping the Asia Pacific radiotherapy market is the expansion of advanced particle therapy infrastructure. China's National Health Commission has planned heavyion proton radiotherapy systems through its 2025 licensing round. In December 2025, five hospitals received configuration permits for proton or heavyion radiotherapy systems: Changchun Cancer Hospital (proton), and Xuzhou Central Hospital, Huizhou Central People's Hospital, Heyou Hospital, and Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital (heavyion). Nationwide, 42 hospitals have now been approved to configure these advanced systems. South Korea continues to invest in advanced particle therapy capabilities, with MRIbased radiotherapy receiving health insurance coverage from October 2025. Australia has added a new MBS item for proton beam dosimetry and comparative planning, effective July 2025, to assess eligibility for proton beam therapy.
• Digital transformation and AI integration in radiotherapy: The adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies is accelerating across Asia Pacific radiotherapy centres. Healthcare providers are investing in advanced treatment planning systems, AIpowered contouring and dose optimisation tools, and enterprise asset management platforms. The workforce shortage has reinforced the demand for workflow automation and faster AIsupported treatment planning protocols. South Korea's health insurance system has added coverage for MRIguided radiotherapy, including stereotactic body radiation therapy (163,380 won), intensitymodulated radiation therapy (108,920 won), and stereotactic radiosurgery (54,460 won).
• Local manufacturing and technology localisation: Domestic manufacturing of radiotherapy equipment is emerging as a significant trend across the region. China is advancing local manufacturing capabilities, with domestic companies increasing their market share. The Chinese government has promoted localisation of advanced radiotherapy technologies through investment in domestic companies for heavyion medical equipment development. Domestic manufacturing reduces dependency on international suppliers and lowers equipment costs, improving access in emerging markets.