Mobile Menu

Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Joseph Maher Joseph Maher London, United Kingdom Last Updated: May 2025 SIC UK-C267

Revenue

£23.3bn

2025-26

£25.1bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

112k

Businesses

3,256

Wages

£X.Xbn

Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry analysis

Europe’s Optical Instrument and Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry has experienced notable growth driven by healthier demand for optical instruments in the medical and scientific sectors. Technological innovation in medical devices using optical systems has boosted demand, particularly for endoscopy systems, microscopes and optical tomography systems for biomedical research. More advanced equipment typically demands a higher price, aiding revenue growth. Revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 4% over the five years through 2025 to €23.3 billion, including estimated growth of 3.9% in 2025.

Trends and Insights

  • Demand from the scientific and medical technology sector is growing. A rise in chronic diseases and people living longer is amplifying demand for healthcare devices and medical technology.
  • European optical equipment exports are likely to tumble with US tariffs. Manufacturers will face a 10% baseline duty, with EU producers also grappling with 20% EU-targeted tariffs. This means optical and photographic equipment could become up to 30% for expensive for US consumers, forcing manufacturers like Leica to raise prices or absorb losses, risking reduced competitiveness in the US market.
  • Specialisation helps companies consolidate. The industry is filled with small and medium-size companies that specialise in specific product types, like lenses, prisms and laser systems. Specialising in certain product types and niche segments can secure higher profit.
Show more

Top Questions Answered in this Report

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is £23.3bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

There are 3,256 businesses in the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 5.1 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include?

Optical components and parts and Parts and accessories are part of the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Strict regulations ensure products meet quality and safety standards. Optical instruments and lasers have to follow RoHS Directives around hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Other regulations include radiation protection legislation and the General Product Safety Directive.

View more insights with purchase. View purchase options.

External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Establishing stable supply lines and procuring materials impact profit. Fluctuations in the price of optical and electronic components and supply chain disruptions can inflate production costs, weighing on profit.

View more insights with purchase. View purchase options.

Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Optical & Photographic Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.