A new report by MedTech Europe indicates that Europe’s medical technology sector is continuing to innovate and grow in economic strength.
The trade body’s report revealed that Europe’s overall medical technology market was worth around €170bn ($198.6bn) in 2024, with the sector employing over 930,000 staff.
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Germany represents the biggest EU market with a 25% market share, followed by France, the UK, Italy, and Spain in positions 2-4, respectively. The report also shows that 90% of Europe’s 38,000 medical technology companies are small and medium-sized (SME) entities.
According to MedTech Europe, digital health is rapidly scaling in Europe as a result of the convergence between breakthrough technologies, patient empowerment, and systemic efficiencies.
The assertion reflects that this charge is being spearheaded by Germany and France due to the nation’s expanded access to digital health through established reimbursement frameworks.
Germany’s DiGA (Digital Health Applications) pathway to date includes reimbursement for 59 DiGA solutions, with the country having now reached one million DiGA prescriptions issued since the pathway’s launch in 2020.
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By GlobalDataMedTech Europe commented: “Digital health is no longer optional. With strong political will, smart regulation, and continued investment in value-based innovation, Europe can lead the way in integrating digital health into every level of care.”
Patent filings in 2024
Medical technology applications with the European Patent Office (EPO) came in at 15,700 in 2024, corresponding to 7.9% of all EPOs.
Almost doubling EPO filings for pharma and biotech, the figure places medtech as the fourth highest among all industrial sectors in Europe for the year, behind digital communication, electrical machinery, and computer technology apparatus in third, second, and first place, respectively.
Of the patents, 40.5% were filed from EPO countries – including the EU27, UK, Norway and Switzerland – with 38.2% from the US and 21.3% originating from other countries.
Commenting on the report findings, MedTech Europe’s CEO Oliver Bisazza said the publication “paints a clear picture” of medical technology’s contribution to both healthcare and the wider economy in Europe.
Bisazza said: “Whether you are shaping policy, advancing innovation, delivering care, or simply curious about the impact of our sector, I invite you to explore these insights and better understand the indispensable role medical technology plays in strengthening health systems, supporting innovation, and improving life for people across Europe, and beyond.”
