RTLS for Healthcare Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth 2034

RTLS for Healthcare Industry Prospective:

The global RTLS for healthcare market size was worth around USD 2.46 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 14.83 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 19.70% between 2025 and 2034.

Request Free Sample

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Overview

Real-time location system (RTLS) for healthcare deals with the technology and solutions deployment in a medical facility to track the real-time location of patients, staff members, or assets.

The industry leverages location-detecting tools such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to ensure precise location detection of doctors, patients, and medical equipment. RTLS in healthcare aims to improve patient care and optimize the overall operations of a healthcare facility.

Furthermore, they are also designed to promote improved asset management, especially when dealing with state-of-the-art and advanced medical equipment. Modern real-time location systems can track precise location, including locating down to a sub-room level. Such higher accuracy in location detection prevents errors and improves response time in case of emergencies.

During the forecast period, the industry for RTLS for healthcare is expected to be led by the increasing integration of advanced engineering solutions in healthcare systems.

Moreover, an increase in the number of patients, especially cases requiring emergency care, will also aid in higher market revenue. Key drawbacks for the market will be high associated expenses and the risk of cyber-attacks during the forecast period.

Key Insights:

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global RTLS for the healthcare market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 19.70% over the forecast period (2025-2034)
• In terms of revenue, the global RTLS for healthcare market size was valued at around USD 2.46 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 14.83 billion by 2034.
• The RTLS for healthcare market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the increasing investment in upgrading healthcare technology infrastructure.
• Based on the component, the hardware segment is growing at a high rate and will continue to dominate the global market as per industry projections.
• Based on the application, the asset tracking segment is anticipated to command the largest market share.
• Based on region, North America is projected to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Growth Drivers

Increasing investment in upgrading healthcare technology infrastructure will promote a market expansion rate

The global RTLS for healthcare market is projected to be driven by the increasing investment in integrating advanced technologies into healthcare facilities.

Hospitals and specialty care centers worldwide are increasingly showing an inclination toward modern solutions that contribute to enhanced patient care. Moreover, these technological solutions also aim to improve operational parameters and workflows to optimize resource utilization.

In November 2024, the world witnessed the launch of a new non-profit organization called the Alliance for Smart Healthcare Excellence. It aims to accelerate the development of smart hospitals by delivering the expertise and resources required for a technology-equipped healthcare facility.

Growing hospital expenditure will encourage the adoption of RTLS to curb operational costs

Real-time location systems are developed for healthcare units to locate everyday use and expensive assets. Additionally, RLTS has also proven beneficial in tracking medical professionals within a hospital facility in case of emergency response. These parameters ensure that patients get access to critical medical care at the right time without any delay.

In addition to this, hospitals also use technology to track patients. RLTS is extremely beneficial in monitoring specific patients suffering from memory loss or vision problems. Hospitals worldwide are reporting an increase in operational costs, which in turn is affecting business operations.

The solutions available in the global RTLS for healthcare market can assist in reducing significant costs by lowering patient wait time, improving staff efficiency, and optimizing asset applications.

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Restraints

High upfront cost of investment to limit the industry’s overall revenue in the long run

The global RTLS for healthcare industry is projected to be restricted by the high cost of initial investment. Real-time location systems use modern and advanced technologies to provide information on the accurate location of a person or an asset. Mid-size hospitals may have to shell out an average of over USD 600,000 to deploy and use real-time location systems.

The cost may increase in the case of larger hospitals. In addition to this, the expenses incurred by a healthcare facility in training the employees further add to the overall cost of using RTLS.

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Opportunities

Increased undertakings by market players to launch new and improved tools will generate growth opportunities

The global RLTS for healthcare market is expected to generate growth opportunities due to the rising undertakings by market players. Companies offering real-time location services for hospitals, diagnostic centers, and clinics are experimenting with advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud systems. The integration of next-generation engineering solutions in RLTS platforms will ensure dynamic application and improved results.

In February 2024, CenTrak, a leading provider of real-time location technology solutions, announced the launch of  Connect. It is a highly advanced cloud-based software RLTS platform for healthcare facilities. The cloud solution significantly reduces costs otherwise associated with the installation of physical servers powering RLTS platforms.

In October 2024,  Kontakt.io launched two novel mobile applications that assist in reducing response time and aid in faster location of equipment during critical situations.

The Kio Staff Safe Alerts mobile app is used to receive real-time alerts using the wearable BLE staff badge. The information will allow security to gain access to movement, location, and identity in real-time using the technologies.

On the other hand, the Kio Nurse mobile app is supposed to be used by medical professionals to track assets using a live map view. The search time for assets can be reduced by 50% using the new tool, according to official reports.

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Challenges

Concerns of Privacy breach and Cyber Crimes to challenge market expansion trends

The global RTLS for healthcare industry is expected to be challenged by the growing concerns over privacy breaches with the use of digital systems.

For instance, real-time location systems track and monitor staff or patient location, which may not comply with regional privacy laws. In addition, cloud-based RTLSs are vulnerable to cybercrimes, compromising the safety of medical professionals and patients alike.

Request Free Sample

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Report Scope

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Segmentation

The global RTLS for healthcare market is segmented based on component, technology, application, facility type, and region.

Based on the components, the global market segments are software, hardware, and services. In 2024, the highest growth was listed in the hardware segment, accounting for more than 47.5% of the total revenue. The increasing use of RFID tags and advanced sensors to locate personnel or assets will promote segmental revenue in the future. During the forecast period, the services segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 20%. The growing adoption of the software-as-a-service  (SaaS) model will promote high growth in the services segment.

Based on technology, the global RTLS for healthcare industry is divided into BLE, RFID, UWB, and others.

Based on the application, the global market segments are access control & security, inventory/asset tracking & management, supply chain management & automation, environmental monitoring, and others.

In 2024, the highest revenue was generated by the asset tracking segment. Hospitals are prone to frequent loss of assets, especially smaller items such as syringes, infusion pumps, and other devices. The segment dominated more than 29.01% of the revenue in 2024.

Based on facility type, the global market divisions are senior living facilities and hospitals & healthcare facilities.

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Regional Analysis

North America to continue leading the market during the forecast period

The global RTLS for healthcare market is expected to be led by North America during the forecast period. In 2024, it dominated nearly 44.05% of the global revenue. The US will emerge as the highest revenue generator in North America.

The growing commitment across North American healthcare facilities toward improved patient care and digitalization will propel regional market expansion.

In addition to this, the growing construction of modern and technologically advanced hospitals throughout Canada and the US will be critical in shaping the region’s growth trajectory.

In July 2024, Sonitor, a Norwegian company providing RTLS services, and Spectralink, a US-based wireless communication solutions provider, announced a strategic partnership to empower hospitals with next-generation RTLS solutions.

The partnership has allowed the integration of Spectralink Versity® 97 smartphones and Spectralink Versity® 95 with Sonitor MDuress. Increasing support from the government, encouraging the use of RTLS for improved patient care in the form of regulatory support, will propel regional market expansion in the coming years.

RTLS for Healthcare Market: Competitive Analysis

The global RTLS for healthcare market is led by players like:

• TeleTracking Technologies Inc.
• GE HealthCare
• Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Versus Technology
• Savi Technology
• HPE Aruba Networking
• Sonitor Technologies
• Ekahau Inc.
• AeroScout Inc.
• Impinj Inc.
• CenTrak
• Ubisense Group PLC
• Kontakt.io
• Stanley Healthcare

The global RTLS for healthcare market is segmented as follows:

By Component

• Software
• Hardware
• Services

By Technology

• BLE
• RFID
• UWB
• BLE
• Others

By Application

• Access Control & Security
• Inventory/Asset Tracking & Management
• Supply Chain Management & Automation
• Environmental Monitoring
• Others

By Facility Type

• Senior Living Facilities
• Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa