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Global air conditioner market: 2024 performance

Check out the key figures for the global air conditioner market in 2024, with a focus on regional trends.

According to the special January 2025 issue of JARN, the global room air conditioner (RAC) market grew by 4% in 2024, reaching 140.58 million units. This growth was driven by strong demand across various regions, despite varying climatic and economic conditions.

 

In Africa, North Africa drove market growth with higher summer temperatures and stable policies boosting imports, resulting in a 4.3% increase in RAC sales to 3.66 million units. 

 

The Middle East also saw growth in 2024, with the total air conditioning market reaching 10.85 million units. 

 

In India, the booming residential sector and a heat wave between January and March led to a 50% year-on-year increase in RAC sales, resulting in an estimated 35% growth overall, totaling 12.5 million units sold. 

 

In Southeast Asia, demand rose by 13.9%, supported by improved living standards and higher temperatures. 

 

Similarly, Japan saw a record-breaking summer with temperatures the highest since 1898, driving an estimated 6.2% increase in RAC sales, reaching around 9.3 million units. 

 

However, China, the world’s largest air conditioning market, experienced a downturn in 2024, with both the RAC and PAC markets declining by 2.3% and 3.7%, respectively. Despite this, China’s RAC exports grew by nearly 30% year on year. 

 

The market graw in Latin America, driven by Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, which together account for 77% of the region’s total sales.  

 

Meanwhile, in Europe, cooler summer weather led to a sluggish overall RAC market, but demand grew in southern regions, particularly in response to tourism investments. 

 

The United States saw low single-digit growth in unitary systems, while the mini-split systems market declined by 3.7%. On the other hand, the mini VRF market saw double-digit growth.  

  

According to JARN, the forecasts for 2025 are uncertain in several regions due to factors such as weather conditions and ongoing geopolitical challenges. 

 

Source

JARN. (January 2025). World Air Conditioner Market - 2025 Update. [Link]