Wheelchair Market

Global Wheelchair Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The global wheelchair market was valued at USD 5402.9 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7542.60 million by 2029, expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2024 to 2029.

The wheelchair is an assisted device to improve the quality of life by supporting personal mobility related issues in people with disabilities in walking, such as individuals with spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, old age, etc. Wheelchairs allow disabled persons to perform daily tasks comfortably and perform normal daily functions. Patients suffer from restricted mobility due to injury, illness, or disability. There are different wheelchairs available in the market, including manual and automatic/electric wheelchairs to accommodate the patient's needs. The wide range of wheelchairs ranges in the control mechanisms, the method of use, and the technology. Over the past decade, significant efforts have been made to develop a wheelchair with innovative features.

Global Wheelchair Market Drivers:

The increase in the geriatric population and the growing number of disorders, such as spinal cord injuries requiring mobility assistance, propel the growth of the global wheelchair market. Approximately 63 million adults live with disabilities in the United States, out of which nearly 14.7% have a motor disability with severe movement difficulty for walking or climbing stairs. The World Bank has reported that approximately 1.2 billion, or 15% of the world's population, have a disability, and more than 22% of those 1.2 billion people are severely affected. In addition, other factors, such as growing consumer awareness and favorable government initiatives, are expected to increase the demand for wheelchairs in the coming years. According to the World Health Organization, 52 million people are injured yearly due to traffic accidents worldwide. Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 24 million adults have limited their activities because of arthritis. Moreover, more than one in four adults with arthritis suffers from severe joint pain, limiting their lifestyle. Therefore, the increasing prevalence of disorders and accidental mishaps require mobility assistance driving a high demand for the wheelchair market in the forecasted period.

A wheelchair improves physical health by helping to reduce general problems, including social and mental health benefits to the patient. Using a wheelchair also decreases the long-term side effects such as bone deformities, pressure sores, improved metabolism, and exercise. There is an increasing demand for automatic or electrical wheelchairs as they are lightweight and require less assistance. In 2018, it was recorded that 3.5 million wheelchairs were used in the United States, of which 1.9 million were above the age of 65 years. These numbers are expected to increase yearly, expecting nearly 2.3 million new wheelchair users. Electric wheelchairs are more prevalent in developed countries, and manual wheelchairs are more popular due to their cost and easy availability.

The current market trend has companies adopting newer product launches and business models to expand their products globally and meet the growing unmet demand for wheelchairs. Many companies are looking for technological advancements involving artificial intelligence to grow the range of product options. In addition, market players to expand their product portfolio in developing regions. Market players operating in the wheelchair market are mainly targeting nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers to meet the changing demands of customers around the world.

Global Wheelchair Market Restraints:

However, factors such as the high cost of electric wheelchairs and the lack of healthcare infrastructure hamper the growth of the global wheelchair market. Certain factors, namely the availability of other disability substitutes such as walking aids and tough competition for various products, may create challenging barriers to market growth in the years to come.

Impact of COVID-19 on the global wheelchair market:

However, the COVID-19 pandemic restricted the transport and supply-demand crisis in 2020, leading to product shortages and rising costs, as well as decreased sales of wheelchairs. In addition, the lockdown in China made it difficult for wheelchair manufacturers to source the necessary products, components, and raw materials. Nevertheless, many companies are expected to resume their operations due to the ease of closure towards the end of 2021, which will support market growth in the years to come.

REPORT COVERAGE:

This research report on the global wheelchair market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on product, category, application, & region.

Global Wheelchair Market - By Product:

• Manual
• Electric

Based on the product, the manual segment accounted for the largest share of the global wheelchair market in 2023. Manual wheelchairs are in high demand worldwide due to their low cost, lightweight, and lack of need for electricity. They also come in various configurations and weights, ranging from standard to ultra-lightweight, and take up little space because many models are foldable. However, because of advanced healthcare facilities in developed countries such as the United States, electric wheelchairs are more popular.

Global Wheelchair Market - By Category:

• Adults
• Pediatric

Based on the category, the adult segment witnessed a significant share in the global wheelchair market in 2023. However, the segment growth is expected to continue throughout the forecast period. The senior population significantly contributes to the wheelchair market, as seniors are more prone to various disorders and have leg-related problems. In addition, due to the rising prevalence of juvenile illnesses such as cerebral palsy, the pediatric segment is also predicted to rise rapidly during the forecast period. 

Global Wheelchair Market - By Application:

• Homecare
• Hospitals
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Rehabilitation Centers

Based on the application, the rehabilitation center is anticipated to register a prominent share in the global wheelchair market during the forecast period. The increasing prevalence of accident victims, growing cases of people suffering from specific illnesses, and abnormal conditions majorly contribute to the 'rehabilitation centers' market growth. 

On the other hand, the hospital segment is also expected to expand fast, owing to the growing number of medical emergencies that need wheelchairs.

Global Wheelchair Market - By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• APAC
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Based on the region, The size of the North American wheelchair market is expected to reach USD 2.05 billion by 2029, registering a CAGR of 6.32%, with the United States dominating the North American market due to the growing geriatric population, which is more likely to increase the demand for mobility products, such as wheelchairs. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 64 million adults live with a disability in the United States, of which 14.7% have a motor disability, and most are older Americans. On the other hand, Canada is expected to experience the fastest CAGR of over 8.9% during the forecast period due to the country's growing number of new businesses. As a result, Canada had the second largest market share after the U.S. in the wheelchair market in 2023.

The wheelchair market in Europe was valued at USD 1336 million in 2023 and is expected to be approximately USD 1795 million by 2029. The market is estimated to increase at an impressive CAGR of 6.08% between 2024 and 2029. The European wheelchair market will grow with new technological developments and significant companies in the region, and they are mostly expected to target emerging markets. The wheelchair market in Germany and U.K. is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period.

The APAC wheelchair market is likely the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period, with a CAGR of 8.84%, due to the senior population growth in East Asian countries such as Japan and China. For example, according to an article published in The Japan Times in 2024, more than 22% of the Japanese population is over 65, the highest proportion in the world. The drivers of market growth in these countries are the growing geriatric population, the increasing prevalence of age-related diseases, better healthcare and infrastructure, high health costs, increased disposable income, and favorable reimbursement policies.

The wheelchair market in Latin America is estimated to reach USD 503.53 million by 2029. The constantly expanding elderly population is one of the primary drivers for the wheelchair market. In addition, as people become older, they are more likely to develop mobility issues expected to raise demand for wheelchairs, propelling the market forward throughout the projected period.

The Middle East & Africa wheelchair market is expected to show steady growth during the projected period due to healthcare infrastructure development and the continued increase in product demand. The Latin American market is also expected to show good market growth opportunities. Brazil is expected to dominate the Latin American wheelchair market during the forecast period.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS:

Companies that play a significant role in the Global Wheelchair Market profiled in the report are Invacare Corporation, Carex Health Brands, Ottobock, Sunrise Medical Limited, Drive Medical Design & Manufacturing, Pride Mobility Products Corp, and G.F. Health Products, Inc., a few of the prominent companies operating in the global wheelchair market.

RECENT MARKET DEVELOPMENTS:

• Braze Mobility, a University of Toronto company, has developed a suite of adjustable blind spot sensors mounted on wheelchairs and scooters to make it easier and safer for people to travel.
• In October 2018, Invacare Corporation announced the launch of power assist devices, increasing their product portfolio via the new HME program.
• In 2019, Permobil, a world leader in advanced medical technology and equipment, introduced its product-SmartDrive PushTracker E2, an advanced electric assistance system to aid manual wheelchairs.
• In March 2020, Invacare Corporation and its subsidiary, Alber USA LLC, announced the introduction of their next-generation -the Invacare® AVIVA ™ F.X. power wheelchair, e-motion® (M25), an innovative and next-generation electric front-wheel drive device.
• In February 2020, Numotion, a leading player in the market, announced its partnership with NOW Technologies to become the first U.S. distributor for their entire next-generation automatic wheelchair-controlled systems.