China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecasts 2031

Key Findings

• The China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test (RIDT) Market is expanding due to increasing influenza incidence, seasonal outbreaks, and the rising need for point-of-care (POC) diagnosis.

• Rapid antigen tests remain the most widely used diagnostic solutions due to their speed, cost-effectiveness, and minimal training requirements.

• Technological advancements in digital immunoassays, molecular rapid tests, and AI-enabled result interpretation are enhancing diagnostic accuracy in China.

• Growing adoption of decentralized testing in clinics, pharmacies, schools, airports, and workplaces is boosting RIDT demand.

• Government disease-surveillance programs and public health campaigns emphasize early detection, strengthening market penetration.

• Increasing availability of combination panels for influenza A/B, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 is reshaping diagnostic workflows.

• Rising healthcare expenditure and improved laboratory infrastructure are supporting higher adoption of rapid tests across China.

• Collaborations between diagnostic manufacturers, healthcare networks, and public health agencies are fostering innovation and market expansion.

China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market Size and Forecast

The China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market is expected to grow from USD 2.1 billion in 2025 to USD 3.7 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 9.4%. Growth is driven by seasonal influenza patterns, rising patient footfall in urgent-care clinics, and increased awareness of early influenza detection. Demand for rapid molecular point-of-care tests is rising due to their superior sensitivity compared to traditional antigen tests. Pharmacies and decentralized healthcare centers in China are adopting RIDTs to reduce diagnostic delays and improve clinical decision-making. With governments prioritizing infectious disease preparedness and pandemic response systems, the market will continue expanding across both public and private healthcare infrastructure.

Introduction

Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests (RIDTs) are point-of-care tools that detect influenza viral antigens within minutes, enabling quick diagnosis and timely antiviral treatment. These tests are crucial for managing influenza outbreaks, reducing complications, and preventing virus spread. In China, demand for RIDTs is rising due to growing healthcare awareness, expanded retail clinic networks, and seasonal flu patterns. RIDTs include lateral-flow immunoassays, digital flu analyzers, and rapid molecular tests such as isothermal amplification-based assays. Their speed and convenience make them ideal for emergency departments, community clinics, airports, and home-care settings. As healthcare ecosystems shift toward rapid, accessible diagnostics, RIDTs continue to gain significant traction across China.

Future Outlook

By 2031, the China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market will be shaped by next-generation molecular rapid tests, multi-pathogen respiratory panels, and AI-powered result interpretation tools. Decentralized testing will increase further, with pharmacies and telehealth service providers playing key roles. The growing acceptance of self-testing kits will revolutionize consumer-driven diagnostics. Integration of digital reporting systems and electronic medical record (EMR) connectivity will streamline influenza surveillance. Influenza-COVID-RSV combination assays will dominate due to overlapping seasonal transmission patterns. As public health authorities strengthen disease surveillance infrastructure, China will emerge as a leading market for advanced, high-sensitivity rapid influenza testing solutions.

China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market Trends

• Growing Adoption of Rapid Molecular Influenza Tests for Higher Accuracy
  Rapid molecular assays are gaining significant traction across China due to their superior sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional antigen-based RIDTs. These tests use nucleic acid amplification technologies, providing results within 15–30 minutes while maintaining laboratory-level accuracy. Clinics and emergency departments increasingly prefer molecular rapid tests for early antiviral initiation and improved patient outcomes. Manufacturers continue to launch compact, portable analyzers suitable for decentralized healthcare settings. The trend reflects a shift toward highly reliable rapid diagnostics, particularly in high-risk patient populations. As affordability improves, molecular rapid testing will see additional uptake across China.

• Expansion of Multi-Pathogen Respiratory Test Panels
  Influenza symptoms overlap with other respiratory viruses such as RSV, adenovirus, and SARS-CoV-2, leading to rising adoption of multi-pathogen rapid panels in China. These multiplex assays simultaneously detect multiple viruses, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for repeat testing. Healthcare providers increasingly rely on these panels during peak respiratory seasons for faster triaging. Multi-pathogen panels also support better epidemiological surveillance by tracking multiple infections simultaneously. The trend is driven by increased clinical efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced patient management. As pandemics and co-infection risks persist, this trend will continue growing.

• Rising Use of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) in Pharmacies and Retail Clinics
  Pharmacies, minute clinics, and urgent-care centers across China increasingly conduct rapid influenza tests due to convenience and high patient footfall. POCT allows immediate diagnosis and treatment, reducing burden on hospitals. Pharmacies offering influenza screening alongside vaccination programs are experiencing strong adoption. Consumers prefer accessible locations with shorter wait times, strengthening the pharmacy-centric model. This rapid decentralization of influenza testing widens market reach and enhances early detection. The trend is expected to expand further with government-supported POCT initiatives.

• Increasing Demand for Digital and AI-Enhanced Diagnostic Platforms
  AI-enabled readers and digital diagnostic platforms are transforming how RIDTs are interpreted and recorded in China. These platforms minimize operator errors and provide automated result interpretation within minutes. Cloud-connected systems support remote physician consultation and national influenza surveillance programs. Digital readers also enhance workflow efficiency in high-volume testing environments. As AI tools evolve, they will offer predictive analytics and assist clinicians with personalized antiviral treatment decisions. This digital transformation is driving the evolution of smart influenza testing ecosystems in China.

• Growing Adoption of At-Home Influenza Self-Testing Kits
  At-home influenza diagnostic solutions are becoming increasingly popular across China, driven by rising consumer preference for convenient, private testing options. Home-testing kits gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating awareness around respiratory self-testing. Self-tests enable immediate results and help reduce healthcare system burden during peak flu seasons. Manufacturers are developing user-friendly lateral-flow kits with mobile-app-based guidance for interpretation. This growing self-testing culture supports early diagnosis and reduces transmission. The trend is expected to accelerate in coming years as digital-first healthcare models expand.

Market Growth Drivers

• Rising Seasonal Influenza Burden and Frequent Outbreaks
  Seasonal influenza continues to pose major public health challenges across China, driving the need for rapid detection and intervention. Increased mobility, population density, and climatic changes contribute to recurring outbreaks. Early diagnosis is essential for timely antiviral treatment, reducing hospitalization rates and complications. Public health authorities advocate widespread influenza testing to prevent community transmission. The rising disease burden ensures consistent demand for rapid influenza diagnostic tests across healthcare settings. This epidemiological pressure remains a fundamental growth driver.

• Increased Adoption of Point-of-Care and Decentralized Testing
  Healthcare systems in China increasingly adopt decentralized diagnostic models to offer fast and accessible influenza testing. POCT reduces wait times, enhances clinical decision-making, and supports wider community surveillance. Clinics, pharmacies, schools, and workplaces leverage RIDTs for immediate triaging during influenza season. Decentralized testing reduces workload on hospital laboratories and increases testing capacity. This shift significantly accelerates adoption, making POCT one of the strongest growth drivers for the market.

• Growing Awareness of Early Diagnosis and Antiviral Treatment Benefits
  Public health campaigns emphasize early diagnosis of influenza to minimize complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and severe respiratory distress. Awareness programs educate citizens about the importance of rapid testing at the onset of symptoms. Physicians across China increasingly prescribe RIDTs to support early antiviral therapy. Rising emphasis on preventive care and early detection strengthens market penetration. Awareness initiatives ensure more individuals seek rapid testing within the critical treatment window.

• Technological Advancements Improving Accuracy and Reliability
  Innovations in antigen sensitivity, molecular amplification, digital readers, and sample-collection methods are greatly improving diagnostic performance. Newer RIDTs offer higher sensitivity compared to earlier lateral-flow tests, increasing clinician confidence. Rapid molecular assays achieve near-PCR accuracy while maintaining ease of use and speed. Improved technology enhances reliability and encourages broader adoption across hospitals and clinics. These advancements form a major growth catalyst in the market.

• Government-Driven Influenza Surveillance and Testing Policies
  Governments in China implement vaccination drives, community testing programs, and infectious disease surveillance systems. Public health agencies recommend widespread testing during flu seasons, particularly in high-risk groups. Diagnostic manufacturers receive support to scale production and distribution during peak demand periods. Policy-driven initiatives strengthen supply chains and testing infrastructure. This government backing greatly enhances adoption of rapid influenza tests across China.

Challenges in the Market

• Variability in Test Sensitivity and False-Negative Rates
  Traditional antigen-based RIDTs may exhibit lower sensitivity compared to molecular tests, particularly for low viral-load samples. False-negative results can delay treatment and increase the risk of transmission. Clinicians often require confirmatory PCR testing, increasing diagnostic burden. Variability in performance across manufacturers affects user confidence. Improving sensitivity remains a major challenge for antigen-based RIDTs. This limitation restricts adoption in critical care settings across China.

• Regulatory and Compliance Barriers for New Diagnostic Technologies
  Rapid diagnostic kits must meet rigorous regulatory standards for sensitivity, specificity, and safety before approval. Lengthy approval processes delay market entry of innovative tests. Compliance costs increase manufacturing expenses, especially for smaller diagnostic companies. Regulatory inconsistencies across China complicate distribution strategies. These barriers slow the adoption of next-generation RIDTs and limit rapid innovation cycles.

• Limited Access to Rapid Tests in Rural and Underserved Regions
  Urban areas typically have strong access to testing, but rural regions in China face shortages of diagnostic kits, healthcare personnel, and infrastructure. Limited supply chain reach affects test availability during peak influenza seasons. Travel barriers and poor awareness further restrict adoption among rural populations. Addressing regional disparities is critical to improving influenza-related health outcomes. This geographic imbalance remains a persistent market challenge.

• High Cost of Advanced Molecular Rapid Tests
  Although molecular RIDTs offer superior accuracy, they are significantly more expensive than antigen tests. High pricing restricts uptake in low-income communities, small clinics, and budget-constrained healthcare systems. Limited insurance coverage for rapid molecular tests further inhibits usage. Affordability issues present a significant obstacle to widespread adoption of molecular solutions across China.

• Competition from PCR Laboratories and Centralized Testing Facilities
  Many healthcare providers continue to rely on centralized PCR testing due to its high accuracy and well-established infrastructure. PCR labs often serve as reference centers, limiting market share for rapid tests in some regions. Competition from established diagnostic modalities can slow rapid-test adoption. Balancing speed with accuracy remains a challenge for RIDT manufacturers. This competition influences overall market penetration.

China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market Segmentation

By Test Type

• Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Tests

• Rapid Molecular Diagnostic Tests

• Digital Immunoassay-Based RIDTs

• Multiplex Respiratory Panels

By Sample Type

• Nasopharyngeal Swabs

• Nasal Swabs

• Throat Swabs

• Others

By End User

• Hospitals

• Clinics & Urgent-Care Centers

• Diagnostic Laboratories

• Pharmacies & Retail Clinics

• Home-Care Settings

• Public Health Testing Programs

By Distribution Channel

• Direct Sales

• Retail & Pharmacy Distribution

• Online Medical Platforms

• Distributor Networks

Leading Key Players

• Roche Diagnostics

• QuidelOrtho Corporation

• Abbott Rapid Diagnostics

• BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)

• Thermo Fisher Scientific

• Siemens Healthineers

• Danaher Corporation

• Bio-Rad Laboratories

• Meridian Bioscience

• SD Biosensor

Recent Developments

• QuidelOrtho Corporation introduced upgraded digital immunoassay analyzers for improved influenza A/B detection accuracy across China.

• Abbott Rapid Diagnostics expanded distribution of rapid molecular flu tests designed for POC use in China.

• Roche Diagnostics launched a multiplex respiratory panel combining influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 detection for clinics in China.

• BD enhanced its rapid antigen platform with improved sensitivity for early-stage influenza detection across China.

• Thermo Fisher Scientific partnered with health agencies in China to support national influenza testing and surveillance programs.

This Market Report Will Answer the Following Questions

1. What is the projected market size and CAGR of the China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market by 2031?

2. Which test types—antigen or molecular—are witnessing higher adoption in China?

3. How are technological advancements improving rapid influenza diagnosis?

4. What challenges limit widespread RIDT adoption across China?

5. Who are the major diagnostic companies leading innovation in the China Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test Market?