Augmented Reality Market size was valued at USD 42.85 Billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 57.2 Billion in 2024 to USD 577.19 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 33.5% during the forecast period (2025-2032).

The worldwide market size for augmented reality is forecast to increase drastically in the next few years. Over the period from 2017 to 2025, the augmented reality market size is estimated to increase by over 195 billion U.S. dollars, increasing from roughly 3.5 billion in 2017 to over 198 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.

Augmented reality vs virtual reality

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that blends digital components with the physical environment in such a way that they enhance each other but are easily told apart. AR makes use of sensory devices to modify a user’s environment to make it more meaningful through the ability to interact with it. One example of AR technology is the popular mobile game Pokémon Go. Virtual reality (VR) technology, on the other hand, creates a computer-generated simulation or recreation of a physical environment. VR immerses the user by making them feel like they are experiencing the simulation firsthand through the stimulation of their vision and/or hearing. Examples of VR technology include Facebook’s Oculus Rift and Sony’s PlayStation Virtual Reality.

AR use becoming more popular?

Consumer downloads of mobile augmented reality applications have been increasing worldwide since 2016. Total consumer downloads of augmented reality applications worldwide in 2022 are predicted at over 5.5 billion, a drastic increase from the 2016 downloads which were slightly over a billion.

The augmented reality market size is estimated to rise from $69.8 billion in 2024 to $2,795 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 39.86% from 2024 to 2035.

In 2024, the mobile augmented reality (AR) market was estimated to be worth 11.9 billion U.S. dollars. It is forecast to reach 13.8 billion U.S. dollars in size in 2025, before jumping to over 21 billion U.S. dollars by 2028. The market includes revenue generated from AR experiences on mobile devices, including apps, web AR, and visual search.

Industrial Augmented Reality Market size was valued at around USD 80.37 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 631 billion by 2030 along with a CAGR of around 41%.

The Augmented Reality Market is Segmented by Type (Hardware, Software), End-user Verticals (Gaming, Education, Healthcare, Retail & Advertising, Automotive, Military & Defense), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa). The Mixed Reality Market is Segmented by End-user Verticals(Consumer, Medical & Healthcare, Industrial) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa).

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Augmented Reality (AR) market size will be USD 88.4 billion in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.5% from 2024 to 2031. Market Dynamics of Augmented Reality (AR) Market

Key Drivers for Augmented Reality (AR) Market

Rising Investments in the AR Market to Increase the Demand Globally - Investments in the augmented reality (AR) market have witnessed huge growth over the past few years. Companies such as Facebook Corporation, Intel Corporation, Qualcomm, Inc., Alphabet, Inc., Comcast Ventures, and Samsung Group are investing heavily in the augmented reality market. Private firms and venture capitalists are funding a few research institutes, while governments are funding some. Industries such as consumer, aerospace & defense, healthcare, enterprises, retail, and marketing embrace the benefits of AR. For instance, Boeing announced a new setup named HorizonX to forge a broader external investment fund. Increasing Adoption of AR Technology in the Healthcare Industry

Key Restraints for Augmented Reality (AR) Market

Health Issues Associated with Excessive Usage of AR Long-Term Impacts of AR on Mental Health Introduction of the Augmented Reality (AR) Market

The augmented reality market for the software segment is expected to hold a larger size during the forecast period owing to the growth in the number of apps and platforms in space. The growing penetration of augmented reality software and its compatibility with existing hardware is expected to drive the growth of the AR market for the software segment during the forecast period. Augmented Reality (AR) technology has a wide range of applications in entertainment, training, brand engagement, augmented surgeries, virtual tours, and quality control, to name a few. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted global industries. However, during such a crisis, the technology showcased potential uses in different sectors. According to IBM's U.S. Retail Index report of 2020, retail businesses and their customers shifted to digital shopping during the pandemic.

The global extended reality (XR) market was valued at 25.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, an industry that includes augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Forecasts suggest that by 2028, the XR market could be worth 41.8 billion U.S. dollars. Augmented reality (AR) AR technology integrates digital information with the physical environment, live and in real-time. Through the addition of graphics, sounds, haptic feedback, or even smell to the natural world as it exists, AR can combine real life with a super-imposed image or animation using the camera on a mobile device or AR headset. As part of the wider XR industry, the global AR market is expected to grow considerably in the coming years. Metaverse Regarded as the next iteration of the internet, the metaverse is where the physical and digital worlds come together. As an evolution of social technologies, the metaverse allows digital representations of people, avatars, to interact with each other in various settings. Whether it be at work, in an office, going to concerts or sports events, or even trying on clothes, the metaverse provides a space for endless, interconnected virtual communities using VR headsets, AR glasses, smartphone apps, or other devices.

[230+ Pages Report] The global augmented reality market size is expected to grow from USD 33 billion in 2022 to USD 597.54 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 40.6% from 2023-2030

The global augmented reality in healthcare market size was valued at USD 2,368.0 Million in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 11,312.3 Million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.98% during 2025-2033. North America currently dominates the market, holding a significant market share of over 40.2% in 2024. The market is driven by technological advancements, growing adoption in surgeries and training, regulatory support, and increasing demand for precise, innovative, and remote healthcare solutions.

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global augmented reality (AR) in healthcare market, along with forecast at the global, regional and country level from 2025-2033. The market Our has been categorized based on product, technology, and end user.

The consumer virtual reality market, divided into hardware and software segments, is forecast to reach 2.6 billion U.S. dollars in size in 2020. The market is set to grow further in the following years, rising to beyond five billion U.S. dollars by 2023.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) technology makes use of sensory devices to immerse users in a simulated environment. Specially designed headsets and glasses can be used for visual immersion, while handhelds and wearables offer tactile immersion. Optical devices such those developed by Facebook’s Oculus and Sony have shipped millions of units as consumers look to explore the possibilities offered by virtual environments. The element of complete immersion means that VR devices can be used as tools for education, tourism, entertainment, and even professional tasks such as architecture design.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology closely related to VR that uses devices to change the visual environment of users. Rather than completely immerse the user in a simulated environment like VR, AR superimposes computer generated elements on top of the user’s real-world environment, allowing for applications such as head-up displays and first-person GPS navigation. As part of the wider extended reality (XR) industry, the global AR market size is expected to grow considerably in the coming years.

The growth rate or CAGR of the GCC Augmented and Virtual Reality Market during 2023-28 would be around 39%, says MarkNtel Advisors.

Forecasts suggest that by the year 2020 the largest segment within the virtual and augmented reality industry will be video games. Video game segment revenues are expected to reach nearly seven billion U.S. dollars by 2020 and continue growing to around 11.5 billion by 2025. The healthcare and engineering segments are also expected to experience high levels of growth in the coming years, further exhibiting the wide range of possible uses for the technology.

Augmented reality

While augmented and virtual reality are often grouped together due to their obvious similarities, augmented reality tends to place more emphasis on enhancing existing environments rather than immersing the user in entirely new ones. Forecasts expect the AR market to skyrocket in the coming years, with projected revenues increasing from around six billion U.S. dollars in 2018 to nearly 200 billion dollars by 2025.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality technology lends itself particularly well to uses within video games and simulation. Major tech industry firms such as Sony, Facebook, and Microsoft have seen the potential of VR technology and quickly developed products of their own to compete in the budding market. Mostly through the success of its PlayStation VR product, Sony has established itself as the clear leader in the VR headset market.

Augmented Reality Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Offering (Smart Glasses, Headsets), Type, Application (Training & Learning, Gaming, Promotion & Advertising), End User (Retail & E-commerce, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism), and Geography — Global Forecast to 2032

Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 43.8% during the forecast period 2024-2031

Virtual Reality (VR) Technology, A Computer-Simulated Reality Creating An Artificial Environment, is Increasingly Used in Sectors Like Education, Gaming, and AI Applications. This Immersive Multimedia Offers A 3D Virtual World, Enhancing Learning Experiences and Gaming Environments. AI Integration Further Enriches the Virtual Environment. The Development of the Metaverse, A Collective Shared Space Combining VR, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, and Brain-Computer Interface, Promises An Interactive Virtual Reality Experience. The VR Market, Segmented by Hardware, End-User, and Geography, is Dominated by the Gaming Sector, With North America Leading Due To Numerous Startups Focusing On Computer-Generated Reality Technologies.

The global mobile augmented reality market was valued at US$ 4.2 billion in 2023. Demand for mobile augmented reality is projected to rise at an astounding CAGR of 22.1%, with its market valuation reaching US$ 31.5 billion by 2033.

How The Market Progressed Till June 2022?

Mobile Augmented Reality Industry Report Scope

Global Enterprise Augmented Reality Market is Segmented by End-user Applications (Retail and E-commerce, Education (E-learning), Industrial, Automotive and Aerospace, Professional Services, and Other End-user Applications) and Geography.

The size of the US Augmented Reality Virtual Reality Market was valued at USD 19942.01 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 74857.87 million by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 20.80% during the forecast period. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are immersive technologies that alter the way we experience and interact with digital content. AR enhances the real world by overlaying digital information, such as graphics, sounds, or other sensory elements, onto physical surroundings. It uses devices like smartphones, tablets, or specialized AR glasses to display this information in real-time, allowing users to interact with both virtual and real-world elements simultaneously. Popular examples of AR include Pokémon Go and AR navigation apps, which blend digital content with real-world environments. In contrast, VR creates a completely immersive, computer-generated environment, fully replacing the physical world. By using devices such as VR headsets and motion controllers, users are transported into a simulated environment that can be visual, auditory, and even tactile. VR is widely used in gaming, education, training simulations, and entertainment, offering users an experience that feels entirely separate from the real world. Both AR and VR have numerous applications across various industries, including healthcare, retail, education, and architecture. While AR focuses on enhancing and integrating digital elements into real-life surroundings, VR offers an entirely virtual experience that isolates users from their physical environment. Both technologies hold immense potential to revolutionize how we interact with information, making learning, shopping, and entertainment more engaging and interactive. As both AR and VR technologies continue to evolve, their integration into daily life is expected to become more seamless, providing new ways to connect with the world around us. The market has witnessed consistent growth attributed to several factors such as the increasing adoption of augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology across various industries and applications, rising demand for immersive and interactive experiences, and the growing popularity of AR/VR in gaming, entertainment, and consumer applications. Government initiatives to promote innovation and the use of AR/VR technology in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and retail, have further fueled market growth. Moreover, ongoing technological advancements in AR/VR headsets, software, and content creation tools have led to improved user experiences and expanded application possibilities, contributing to the growth of the US market. Recent developments include: In January 2022, HTC introduced a wrist tracker for the Vive Focus 3. This wearable device aids in tracking by emitting infrared LEDs, which are detected optically by the device's camera sensors. Tracker movements and trajectories may be monitored using high-frequency IMU data and a sophisticated kinetic model, even when the tracker is obscured from view by the camera., In December 2021, Google announced and added a brand-new addition to its collection of augmented reality (AR) devices: AR smart glasses. These glasses provide users with access to more information, animation, videos, and more lifelike experiences by superimposing digital or computer-generated content over their actual surroundings.. Notable trends are: Increased capital infusion promotes market growth.

Global Augmented Reality Market market size valued at $43.98 Billion in 2023, set to reach $879.86 Billion by 2032 a CAGR of 39.5% from 2024 to 2032.