In This Article
In This Article
Our team spent 30+ hours researching the latest studies, surveys, and polls on the DNA testing market.
After gathering information from trusted sources, we compiled data on the following:
To ensure the reliability of the statistics presented here, we’ve only cited research from the last seven years (2018 to 2024).
This article was last updated in February 2024.
The demand for genetic tests has increased in the last decade. More people purchased at-home DNA kits in 2018 than in all the previous years combined.
Purchases are still expected to rise worldwide.2
The U.S. genetic testing market was worth $417.8 million in 2020.5
In 2021, the U.S. market accounted for 89.1% of the total shares–making it the largest in the world. It’s projected to continue dominating North America from 2022 to 2032.2
China has the world’s second-largest market share. In 2021, it accounted for 31.2% of the sales in East Asia.2
China’s market is projected to grow by 15.2% from 2020 to 2027 and reach a market size of $170.8 million.5
From 2020 to 2027, the market for at-home DNA testing is projected to increase by 11.3% in Japan, 12.6% in Germany, and 13.1% in Canada.5
The global market for direct-to-consumer DNA testing is comprised of three types of tests based on the DNA technology they use:
According to a report published by Emergen Research, whole genome sequencing tests have the largest revenue shares as of 2021.4
However, Future Market Insights says that SNP chips held the largest market shares in 2021. It accounted for 64.5% of the global market.2
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There are several reasons behind the global market growth of at-home DNA testing kits. Experts have cited the following explanations:2
Due to the large number of DNA test providers selling at low costs, the U.S. market is expected to continue dominating North America from 2022 to 2032.2
Many international companies are also expected to enter China to sell affordable genetic testing kits. This might help drive the local market.2
As of 2016, most DNA companies offer direct-to-consumer (DTC) kits for genetic relatedness, paternity, nutrigenetics, and ancestry.
Out of all the companies:6,7
Fewer services provided health-related DNA testing. Only 31 companies (13%) offered health tests, and 27 (11%) offered carrier status tests.6,7
The leading at-home genetic testing companies in the U.S. are Ancestry, 23andMe, MyHeritage, and Family Tree DNA.1
In China, WeGene and 23mofang are the two leading providers of direct-to-consumer genetic tests.2
AncestryDNA remains to be the world’s largest provider of DNA test kits, with over 22 million users.8 It’s followed by 23andMe with over 12 million users in 2023.9
MyHeritage and Family Tree DNA are the next largest DNA testing companies in the U.S., with more than 2.5 million and 2 million members in 2018–respectively.1
In China, several local DNA testing companies have a combined database of 12 million members as of 2020.2
In 2019, it was estimated that 26 million people had taken a DNA test in the United States.1
However, it’s possible that at least 38.5 million to 50 million people worldwide have already taken a DNA test at home.
We came up with this estimate by adding the number of people who have tested with the six major providers of at-home DNA tests in the U.S. and China:
A 2022 survey involving 1,000 American adults revealed that only a small percentage have taken a DNA test at home.10
While most Americans surveyed in 2022 said they hadn’t taken a genetic test, many expressed interest in taking a test someday.10
Nearly half of the respondents (45%) who haven’t taken an at-home DNA test say they would take one if it were offered for free.10
22% are unsure, and 33% are not interested in the free test. Among those interested, they wanted to take the test for the following reasons:10
Most surveyed Americans said they would take a genetic test under certain circumstances.
In general, Americans were more likely to take a DNA test if:10
It helped them find out their chances of developing a serious health condition
They were adopted or not biologically related to their father
They have a biological sibling they never met
Their ancestor was a slave owner
They turned out to be distantly related to their spouse or partner
A family member committed violent crimes
Fifty-five out of the 1,000 surveyed Americans said they were adopted.10
Adopted Americans are twice as likely to take an at-home DNA test (36%) than those who said they were not adopted (20%).10
Among adopted Americans who took a DNA test:10
Most adult Americans who took a genetic test as of 2018 did it to learn more about their ancestry or other health reasons.
Out of the 210 respondents surveyed:11
U.S. adults who haven’t undergone DNA testing as of 2018 have similar reasons for wanting to take a test. Out of 454 respondents surveyed:12
Researchers found that certain situations increased a person’s likelihood of taking a DNA test.13The 2018 survey also reveals whether they were more likely to take a medical genetic test or an at-home kit.13
In general, American adults were more likely to take a medical DNA test than an at-home genetic test if:13
However, American adults tended to prefer at-home DNA tests over medical genetic testing in the following situations:13
In 2018, 1,109 American adults took a poll on genetic testing. Many people who took the poll were (and are) concerned with the privacy of their data.14
According to a survey conducted in 2022, privacy concerns are common in people who have taken the test and those who haven’t. This affects their decision to take a DNA test.10
The 2018 poll also revealed that while up to 52% were interested in taking a genetic test, many Americans are not fully convinced of the reliability of DNA tests.14
Most Americans (48%) think it’s acceptable to share a person’s DNA profile with law enforcement. However, a significant number (33%) think it’s unacceptable.15
Differences in opinion were observed depending on the age group and sex of the people who took the survey. For example:15
People who have taken a DNA test usually have varying opinions on their test results. However, most find them helpful.14
Regardless of their preference around test results, most people (82%) would inform their siblings and children if they have a hereditary condition.14
Young American adults under 40 are usually more interested in finding their predisposition for a genetic disease. Up to 71% will want to know if they are at risk of developing a health condition.14
Older Americans who are aged 40 and over are divided. Fifty-three percent want to determine if they are genetically predisposed to a disease. Forty-six percent would rather not know.14
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