Market Insights Driving Wheelchair Upgrade Trends

The global wheelchair market size was valued at USD 4.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2021 to 2028. The rising population of geriatrics and the rise in the number of disorders, such as spinal cord injuries, requiring mobility assistance, are some of the key factors driving the market. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 17,730 new spinal cord injuries occur in the U.S. every year, with vehicular crashes being the leading cause of injury. Thus, the U.S. stands as a key market for wheelchairs.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15.0% (or 1 billion) of the population is suffering from some form of disability that requires mobility aids. Furthermore, growing chronic disorders as compared to other diseases are majorly increasing disability, creating demand for wheelchairs.

Developing countries such as India are expected to be key revenue generators for wheelchair manufacturers over the forecast period. The country has one of the highest rates of road accidents at a global level, leaving several people disabled. It also has one of the highest disabled populations at a global level. In terms of availability and adoption, the country is still at the nascent stage; however, with growing awareness among consumers and supportive government initiatives, demand for wheelchairs is expected to boost in the years to come.

Evolving technological advancements in wheelchair designs are a key trend expected to drive future sales for the market. The launch of electric wheelchairs that are operated by batteries is expected to assist the users to a better extent. Along with design improvement, we are also witnessing innovations that are capable of storing and connecting the device with the patient’s medical history, alarming for distress calls in emergency cases, and even monitoring their health at crucial times. In March 2020, Invacare Corporation launched a new product, a power wheelchair under the brand name Invacare AVIVA FX Power Wheelchair. It serves current front-wheel-drive users with a chair. It helps make short work of curbs, slopes, and uneven surfaces while keeping the user in control and comfort.

• The global wheelchair market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2021 to 2028.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15.0% (or 1 billion) of the population is suffering from some form of disability that requires mobility aids
• According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), approximately 17,730 new spinal cord injuries occur in the U.S. every year, with vehicular crashes being the leading cause of injury

The electric product segment led the global market in 2020 with a revenue share of more than 53% and is estimated to expand at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Electric wheelchairs provide increased independence to the user as they are easy to use and have the ability to travel for longer distances. These wheelchairs are ideal for users having no upper body strength. Electric wheelchairs are more popular in developed countries, such as the U.S., owing to the availability of advanced healthcare facilities. In July 2020, Scewo, a Swiss-based company, launched Scewo Bro, an electric wheelchair that can climb up and down the stairs independently and smoothly. It is, for now, available in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.

The manual product segment is also estimated to have significant growth over the forecast years due to the high demand for manual wheelchairs on account of their low cost & weight and non-dependability on charging. Also, they are available in a variety of configurations and weights, from standard to ultra-lightweight, which require little space, as a lot of the product models are foldable. In 2019, Permobil, a leading player in advanced medical technology, launched SmartDrive PushTracker E2, an advanced power assist system for manual wheelchairs.

The system significantly increases users’ ability to move on uneven surfaces and aids in preventing shoulder strain injuries. Such add-ons to manual wheelchair models are expected to maintain the market size for these over the forecast period. Wheelchairs may witness some competition from other mobility aids, such as walkers and canes; however, with growing age, all individuals eventually shift to wheelchairs as the most suitable option.

The adult segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 69.4% in 2020. The segment is projected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. This is mainly due to the increasing elderly population globally, which forms part of the definition for adults. Adults comprise of individuals from the age group of 18 onwards. Disability in older people due to arthritis pain, or stiffness in a knee, hip, ankle, or foot increases the demand for wheelchairs.

The pediatric segment is also expected to grow significantly, owing to the growing number of childhood disorders such as cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is one of the most common movement disorders that requires wheelchairs. According to the Cerebral Palsy Guidance, over 10, 000 babies in the U.S. are born with this disorder each year. It is the most commonly diagnosed childhood motor disability in the U.S. Thus, the pediatric segment is expected to be a key revenue generator for wheelchair manufacturers in the years to come.

The rehabilitation centers segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 34% in 2020. However, the segment will witness sluggish growth over the forecast period. On the basis of application, the global market has been divided into home care, hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), and rehabilitation centers. The hospitals segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR from 2021 to 2028.

To learn more about this report, request a free sample copy.

This growth is credited to the increasing cases of medical emergencies that require wheelchairs. The post-surgical procedures boost the demand for wheelchairs. In hospitals, these chairs are mainly used for transporting patients, which comprises everything from a trip to the hospital to a journey from a patient room for an MRI to a visit to a doctor’s office in a large-scale medical facility.

North America dominated the global market in 2020 and accounted for the largest revenue share of 34.9%. This growth is owing to the high target population and increased adoption of advanced wheelchairs. Moreover, the presence of many market players in the region will further boost the market growth during the forecast period. According to our analysis, a lot of small enterprises are coming up with specialized wheelchairs to cater to niche audiences. For instance, in January 2020, a U.S.-based startup, Segway, Inc., launched an egg-shaped pod that allows people to sit while they effortlessly cruise around campuses, theme parks, airports, and even cities. This pod can also be used by individuals with wheelchair needs and particularly caters to transportation with a high speed of 24 mph.

Asia Pacific is projected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The region is backed by a large population base in countries such as India and China, owing to the improvements in healthcare facilities and growing government initiatives for offering quality mobility devices. Moreover, a high geriatric population in countries, such as Japan, also supports market growth. According to an article published in The Japan Times in 2019, over 20.0% of the country’s population was over 65 years old, the highest proportion in the world. By 2030, one in every three people will be 65 years or older, and one in five people will be 75+ years old. However, the lifestyle being followed within the region may limit the requirement for wheelchairs.

• Carex Health Brands, Inc.
• Drive Medical Design & Manufacturing
• Graham-Field Health Products Inc.
• Invacare
• Medline
• Sunrise Medical LLC
• Karman Healthcare
• Quantum Rehab
• Numotion
• Pride Mobility Products Corp.