Wheelchair Market Analysis

Global Wheelchair Market Overview

The Wheelchair Market Size was prized at USD 5.43 Billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 5.78 Billion in 2024 to USD 8.97 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.64% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The growing number of senior and disabled people, increased public awareness of wheelchair accessibility, and technological advancements in wheelchair design are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth. The need for wheelchairs is increasing as the prevalence of chronic diseases such as arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and other mobility impairments rises. Additionally, a growing elder population worldwide is driving up wheelchair demand.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

In February 2024, Sunrise Medical, a manufacturer of mobility solutions, introduced a wireless, proportional head control that enables drivers to operate their motorized wheelchairs and other devices with subtle and intuitive head movements. The Switch-It Vigo head control was created by Now Technologies, which merged with Sunrise Medical in 2022. It is a valuable addition to the company's comprehensive range of cutting-edge controls that are specifically designed for power wheelchairs. The wireless headset is unobtrusive and discreet, enabling improved social interaction while operating the power wheelchair, owing to its streamlined design. The driver's field of view is unobstructed, and companions are able to observe the driver's facial expressions and make eye contact. The headset's sensors enable the wheelchair to operate smoothly by providing an accurate measurement of the head's position. Perfect placement is more easily accomplished and maintained when using seat functions and other movements, even during transfers, due to the Vigo's position on the driver's head. The Vigo head control enables riders to intuitively operate their power wheelchair and manage their computer by tilting their head, regardless of the limitations imposed by their limited head movement.

Wheelchair Market Trends

• Geriatric population growth is fueling the market growth

Market CAGR for wheelchairs is driven by the rising number of geriatric people. Mobility, agility, and the ability to maintain independent functioning generally decline with age. An expanding elderly population is expected to drive up demand for wheelchairs throughout the projection period. Additionally, falls among this age group are more likely to result in fatal or nonfatal injuries and mobility problems. According to the Urban Institute, there will be twice as many Americans over 65 in 2040 as there are today. To sustain market expansion, it is projected that chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and other lifestyle problems will become more common.

Figure 1: Estimated decadal growth in the elderly population worldwide from 1951 to 2031

Wheelchairs and other personal mobility devices are mostly marketed to older people. It is predicted that throughout the forecasted period, growing nations like India will greatly boost the profits of wheelchair manufacturers. The country has the highest rates of car accidents in the world, and many of the casualties are disabled. Additionally, it has one of the largest populations of disabled people worldwide, which helps the industry grow.

The move towards portable care at home or the bedside drives the development of next-generation therapeutic, display, diagnostic, and monitoring tools that are more adaptive, precise, and tiny. These systems are consumer-driven healthcare models that simplify adopting cutting-edge innovations like customized wearable technology, electronic patient records, and wireless internet connectivity. These innovations should improve home healthcare's efficiency, usability, and comfort. The senior population and the increase in chronic illnesses and disabilities are the main causes of the rise in portable medical equipment and technologies. They have more mobility at home because of these tools. The rising number of people working in home healthcare is another element causing the demand to rise quickly. Due to rising illness prevalence and an aging population, healthcare spending is anticipated to increase during the projection period. Home healthcare is also a less expensive substitute for pricey hospital care services, and it is anticipated to impact rendering throughout the forecast period. Thus, driving the wheelchair market revenue.

Wheelchair Market Segment Insights

Wheelchair Product Insights

The market segments of wheelchair, based on product, includes manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and accessories. In 2022, the electric wheelchair sector dominated the market. Electric wheelchair technology is evolving, and over the next few years, this market is projected to expand dramatically. Electric or power chairs provide users with great flexibility, comfort, and the capacity to travel without a second person's constant assistance, which helps explain this growth.

February 2022: Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC) has introduced the e-fix eco, its next generation of power assist devices. A joystick, battery, and in-wheel motors transform a manual wheelchair into a portable power chair with the Alber e-fix eco Power Assist. The e-fix eco offers a considerable upgrade over the previous version, with a new modern design for the wheel hub, color display, battery, and battery bag.

Additionally, in 2022, the manual wheelchair witnessed the fastest growth rate. The manual wheelchair is the most popular mobility aid among the elderly and crippled. Manual wheelchairs are pushed or propelled by the user.

Wheelchair Category Insights

The wheelchair market segmentation, based on category, includes adults and pediatrics. The adult sector dominated the market, accounting for 70.9% of market revenue (3.6 Billion). The adult segment currently holds the largest market share. The sector is anticipated to maintain its market leadership during the projection period and is primarily driven by the aging population, which is included in the definition of adults. However, the pediatric sector acquired a significant growth rate in the forecast period. Because more and more children are developing illnesses like cerebral palsy, the pediatric market is also anticipated to expand dramatically.

Figure 2: Wheelchair Market, by Category, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Wheelchair End-User Insights

The market segmentation of wheelchair, based on end-user, includes home care settings, hospitals & clinics. The category for hospitals & clinics is anticipated to have the major growth rate. The rise in wheelchair-related medical emergencies is associated with this trend. The post-surgical procedures increase the need for wheelchairs. Throughout the projection period, income in the home health industry is anticipated to rise gradually. One wheelchair is required for individuals who cannot stand or have restrictions on how much force they can bear on their lower extremities.

Wheelchair Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The North American wheelchair market area will dominate this market. The primary variables expected to enhance the demand for wheelchairs in this region are an increase in the number of people with mobility impairment disorders and an increase in the senior population. Additionally, the presence of major players working in the mobility device industry in the U.S. is anticipated to support the expansion of this market.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are US, Canada, France, German, Italy, UK, Spain, Japan, China, Australia, India, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3: WHEELCHAIR MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe’s wheelchair market accounts for the second-largest market share. The European market is driven by an aging population and a rise in conditions, including spinal cord injuries requiring mobility help. Although the availability and acceptance of wheelchairs in Europe are still in their infancy, demand for wheelchairs is anticipated to increase over the next few years due to rising consumer awareness and favorable governmental regulations. Further, the German market of wheelchair held the largest market share, and the UK market of wheelchair was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific Wheelchair Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. The industry is supported by a huge population base in countries like China and India due to the rise of government programs to supply high-quality mobility devices and upgrade healthcare facilities. Additionally, the large elderly population in nations like Japan contributes to market expansion. Moreover, China’s market of wheelchair held the largest market share, and the Indian market of wheelchair was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wheelchair Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are largely investing in R&D to expand their production capacities, which will aid in the further expansion of the chemotherapy industry. The launch of new products, larger-scale mergers and acquisitions, contractual agreements, and collaboration with other organizations are significant market developments in which market participants engage to increase their presence. The wheelchair industry must provide affordable products to expand and thrive in a more competitive and challenging market environment.

One of the major business strategies manufacturers use in the wheelchair industry to increase the market sector and benefit customers is local manufacturing to lower operational costs. Recently, the wheelchair industry has stipulated some of the most important medicinal benefits. Major players in the market of wheelchair, including Pride Mobility Products Corp. (US), Sunrise Medical (Germany), Levo AG (Switzerland), Invacare Corporation (US), and others, are funding operations for research and development to boost market demand.

LITH-TECH is the leading online folding electric wheelchair brand and specialist in the UK. The company was formed to deliver excellent mobility products to wheelchair users, and we continue to do so every day. They carry folding electric wheelchairs created with needs in mind, providing them with the freedom and independence they deserve. In October 2021, LITH-TECH, located in Surrey, announced the release of its new entry-level Smart Chair 3 folding wheelchair, which seeks to be more inexpensive to customers while maintaining quality. The wheelchair, appropriate for indoor and outdoor use, has a 12AH battery that can travel approximately 12 miles on a single charge and complies with airline luggage constraints.

Scewo manufactures self-balancing wheelchairs meant to help people with mobility issues. The electric chair from the company combines balancing wheels and tracks that descend from its undercarriage with an active control system that keeps the chair level and stable at all times, allowing users to control using a joystick or a shift in body weight and overcome obstacles such as curbs, tram tracks, grass, mud, and stones. In January 2022, Scewo, a Swiss startup, unveiled Scewo BRO, a new electric wheelchair designed to help persons with mobility impairments climb stairs. BRO is the world's only motorized wheelchair that can drive on two wheels and climb stairs. The motorized wheelchair can be controlled by a smartphone app or a control panel mounted to either side.

Key Companies in the market of wheelchair include

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  Invacare Corporation (US)

  
  


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  Ottobock (Germany)

  
  


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  Drive Medical (US)

  
  


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  Pride Mobility Products Corp. (US)

  
  


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  Quantum Rehab (US)

  
  


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  GF Health ProductsInc. (US)

  
  


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  Karman Healthcare Inc. (US)

  
  


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  Levo AG (Switzerland)

  
  


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  Sunrise Medical (Germany)

  
  


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  Medline Industries Inc.

  
  

Wheelchair Industry Developments

August 2023 - Ford Motor Company Mexico is trying to help dogs that need wheelchairs for movement. The company designed and released the P-Raptor, which helps dogs that have issues with their back legs. It can be adjusted to fit different dog sizes and maladies. Electrically motorized wheels are used in it. These wheels are also larger in order to help your friend traverse rough terrain. Dogs like looking good too so a grille with lighting has been availed.

In July 2023, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officially launched a six-month pilot of Quantum Self Securement Station on some buses along the M7 route. This would enable wheelchair users to secure themselves instantly by simply pressing a button without relying on the driver of the bus. In this way, it will minimize procedural nature and speed up bus operations.

In March 2023, Sruthi Babu from Coimbatore came up with an intelligent wheelchair stretcher fitted with a rechargeable battery and self-cleaning commode. The idea behind it was to give people with serious mobility issues dignity back into their lives. This project won INR 1 crore on Shark Tank, one of the most popular entrepreneurship television shows.

In January 2022, Powered Company introduced the ‘One Remedy’ innovation that also includes the best-known wheelchair users among many other outstanding module systems for such perfect devices.

Wheelchair Market Segmentation

Wheelchair Product Outlook

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  Manual Wheelchair

  
  


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  Electric Wheelchair

  
  


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  Accessories

  
  

Wheelchair Category Outlook

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  Adults

  
  


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  Pediatric

  
  

Wheelchair End-User Outlook

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  Home Care Settings

  
  


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  Hospitals & Clinics

  
  

Wheelchair Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America