The ambulance services market size was exhibited at USD 46.25 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit around USD 118.98 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 9.91% during the forecast period 2024 to 2034.
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 50.83 Billion |
| Market Size by 2034 | USD 118.98 Billion |
| Growth Rate From 2024 to 2034 | CAGR of 9.91% |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2024-2034 |
| Segments Covered | Transport Vehicle, Emergency Services, Equipment, and Region |
| Market Analysis (Terms Used) | Value (US$ Million/Billion) or (Volume/Units) |
| Regional Covered | North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA |
| Key Companies Profiled | Babcock International Group PLC; London Ambulance Service NHS Trust; Acadian Ambulance Service; BVG India Limited; America Ambulance Services, Inc.; Falck Global Medical Response; Air Methods Corporation; Ziqitza Healthcare Limited; MEDIVIC PHARMACEUTICAL PVT LTD. |
The demand for ambulance services has increased due to rising incidence of traumatic accidents, an increase in a number of people suffering from various chronic diseases, and a rise in geriatric population. In addition, rise in medical tourism and availability of reimbursement policies are also expected to boost the demand for global market over the forecast period.
The presence of a large population pool over 60 years, which typically has a lower immunity level and is prone to neurological diseases, cardiac problems, cancer, and spinal injuries, is also expected to be a high impact rendering driver for the growth of the market over the forecast period. For instance, as per a report by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, published in 2024, approximately 1 in every 6 people in the world are expected to be over 65 years of age by 2050. Moreover, as per similar source, there were 761 million people who were above 65 years of age globally in 2021. Hence, increasing geriatric population is likely to result in the market growth.
Medical tourism is also rising due to developments in healthcare infrastructure and advanced reimbursement policies. For instance, according to HealthCare, Inc., around 787,000 Americans are estimated to travel abroad for medical and dental treatment in 2022. Similarly, as per The American Journal of Medicine, the number of U.S. medical tourists & number of medical tourist in the world is expected to increase by around 25% every year. Furthermore, as per Consulate General of India, India has emerged as top 6 medical tourism site globally in recent years. Therefore, due to the growth of medical tourism, ambulance services may be required in the travel destination to transport patients to their venue of treatment. This is expected to boost market growth.
The COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted the market due to elevated usage of ambulance services in this period. For instance, as per Quartz India, Accretion Aviation witnessed a growth of 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with decline in a number of COVID-19 patients, the need for ambulance service is anticipated to reduce, thereby the market is expected to foresee a slightly negative impact in the year 2022-2024. Even though the market declined, it is anticipated to witness a significant CAGR over the forecast period. This can be attributed to increase in number of ambulances during the COVID-19 period. For instance, according to the Mint, Ziqitza Healthcare was going to provide 200 additional ambulances to the Madhya Pradesh government during the time of COVID-19. Thus, aforementioned factors are expected to be responsible for the market growth.
Based on transport vehicle, the ground ambulance segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 72.39% in 2024. Ground ambulance includes van or pickup trucks, car/SUV, motorcycle, bicycle, all-terrain vehicles, golf cart, and bus. Rising cases of cardiovascular disorders in this region is anticipated to impel the segment growth. For instance, as per CDC, every 30 seconds, one person dies in the U.S. due to cardiovascular disorder. Moreover, as per similar source, around 18.2 million people aged 20 and above have coronary artery disease in the U.S. Similarly, rising geriatric population in this region is expected to drive the segment growth further. For instance, according to Statistics Canada, the number of people aged 85+ increased by around 12% during the year 2016-2021. Thus, due to aforementioned factors, the ground ambulance segment is expected to dominate the market.
The air ambulance segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.50% during the forecast period. Increasing cases of various accidents is expected to increase the use of air ambulance, thereby propelling the segment growth. For instance, as per Association for Safe International Road Travel, more than 46,000 people in the U.S. die every year due to road accidents, whereas, more than 4.4 million people are seriously injured. Air ambulance services are faster than ground ambulance and water ambulance services and can quickly reach remote areas where ground and water ambulance services are unable to reach. Thus, the aforementioned factors are anticipated to help the segment growth.
Based on emergency services, the emergency services segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 62.09% in 2024. The segment is anticipated to witness a considerable growth over the forecast period.The growth of the emergency services segment can be attributed to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac arrest, stroke, and congestive heart failure and rising cases of COVID-19 across the globe.
The emergency ambulance services are provided to patients with acute injury or illness and to those who are in urgent need of medical attention. For instance, according to Heart and Strokes Organization, Canada, every year, approximately 35,000 people in Canada suffer from cardiac arrest, whereas, this number increases to around 62,000 people suffering from stroke every year. In addition, according to statistics by CDC, around 3.4 million people in the U.S. suffer from epilepsy. Similarly, as per Government of Canada, the number of injuries tallied up to about 101,572 in 2020. Moreover, as per UC Davis Health about 39,707 deaths occur in the U.S. due to firearm related accidents. Thus, people suffering from emergency healthcare situations and various traumatic accidents are expected to boost the segment growth over the forecast duration.
Nonemergency ambulance services are primarily for the transportation of pediatric and bariatric patients, transportation of patients from one healthcare facility to another, for patients requiring daycare treatments, and transportation of discharged patients from hospital to home. The segment is expected to witness the significant CAGR of 9.38% during the forecast period. Increasing number of geriatric populations in this region is expected to drive the segment growth. For instance, as per a United Health Foundation report (published in May 2024), more than 55.8 million adults aged 65 and older lived in the U.S., accounting for about 16.8% of the nation's population in 2021. Thus, due to tremendous growth in the geriatric population, coupled with rising number of discharged patients, the segment is anticipated to witness a fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
Based on equipment, the advance life support ambulance services segment held the market with the largest revenue share of 70.0% in 2024. Increase in number of people suffering from cardiac arrest is expected to boost the ALS segment over the forecast period. For instance, as per St. John Ambulance, Canada, approximately, 40,000 people in Canada suffer from cardiac arrest. Moreover, according to Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, approximately 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the U.S. every year, which are around 1,000 people every day.
In addition, the rise in COVID-19 patients has helped the ALS segment propel over the past few years. For instance, according to Worldometer, the total COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have tallied up to 83,437,158 as of May 06, 2022. Patients suffering from COVID-19 are in continuous need of ventilator. Moreover, if a person suffers from additional comorbidities, continuous cardiac monitoring is required. The ALS provides patients with continuous cardiac monitoring and ventilator support along with emergency medical technician. Hence, as a result of aforementioned factors, the segment is expected to dominate the market.
The Basic Life Support (BLS) is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 8.63% during the forecast period. Rising incidence rate of acute illness such as asthma attack, bronchitis, burns, heart attacks, pneumonia is expected to drive the segment growth. For instance, as per American Thoracic Society, approximately 1.0 million adults in the U.S. are admitted in the hospital to treat pneumonia, whereas, 50,000 people from pneumonia.
Moreover, as per data by the WHO, around 3.24% people died due to influenza, pneumonia in Canada. Similarly, rising number of burn incidence is further increasing the use of BLS ambulance. For instance, according to U.S. Fire Administration, in 2021, fire death rate in the U.S. was 13.0 deaths per million populations. Similarly, according to the Joye Law Firm, on an average, about 450,000 burn injuries are registered in the U.S. alone.
North America dominated the market with the revenue share of 48.31% in 2024. The growth can be attributed to factors such as presence of several key market players in this region, growing demand for high-quality healthcare services, well-established healthcare infrastructure, and favorable reimbursement policies and regulatory reforms in the healthcare sector. For instance, in February 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Innovation Center), announced a new payment model for emergency ambulance services that aims to allow Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) beneficiaries to obtain the most appropriate level of care at the right time and place with the potential for lower out-of-pocket costs. All of these reimbursement regulations make ambulance services accessible for the patient population, hence propelling the market growth.
The U.S. market is expected to grow the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, due to healthcare infrastructure development, technological advancements, public awareness campaigns, government support, and changes in reimbursement policies.
The Europe market was identified as a lucrative region in this industry.The European market is a rapidly growing sector within the healthcare industry. It is a crucial part of the emergency medical services (EMS) sector, which provides critical care and transportation to patients in emergencies. Various regulations on ambulance care have been implemented in most European nations to improve the quality of services. In addition, most European nations have incorporated quality indicators for regulating the quality of ambulance services. The focus of European healthcare policy on quality improvement and providing patient-centric care also drives the growth of healthcare services, such as ambulance services, in this region.
The UK market is a vital part of the healthcare sector, providing emergency medical care and transportation to patients in need. The market is highly competitive, with both public and private ambulance services operating across the country. The NHS ambulance service is the primary provider of ambulance services in the UK, with services provided by 10 NHS ambulance trusts in England, the Scottish Ambulance Service, the Welsh Ambulance Service, and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Private ambulance companies also provide services in the UK, particularly for non-emergency patient transport.
In France, the ambulance services sector has seen several changes and developments in recent years. The demand for ambulance services is rising due to the increasing aging population and increasing incidents of acute and chronic illnesses. Furthermore, ambulance services in France are adopting new technologies, such as telemedicine and mobile health apps, to improve patient care and response times. In combination with these, there is a greater emphasis on training and education in the ambulance services sector in the region and more attention is being given to professional development and continuing education for ambulance staff, which is improving the quality of care provided to patients. The private sector is increasingly participating in this market, which is driving competition and leading to improvements in service quality and efficiency.
The Germany market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, due to aging population, increasing demand for emergency medical services, and the need for better integration with other parts of the healthcare system.Furthermore, High healthcare spending in Germany is expected to further boost the market growth. As per the data, in 2020, 67.9 billion euros of health expenditure was financed by government allocations and subsidies in Germany. The Federal Statistical Office addresses that it was a huge increase of 16.3 billion euros, or 31.5%, compared to 2019.
The Asia Pacific market is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 12.46% during the forecast duration. The growth rate can be attributed to rising geriatric population in countries such as China, India, and Japan. For instance, as per Statistics Bureau of Japan, in 2020, the number of population aged 65+ was tallied up to 36.19 million which contributed around 28.8% of the total population. Similarly, according to the WHO, the geriatric population in China in expected to reach 28% of the total population by 2040, as geriatric population is more susceptible to various ailments, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to have the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.
The China market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period, due to presence of large target population and technological advancements. China has developed "smart ambulances" that are equipped with advanced medical equipment, including electrocardiogram (ECG) machines and ultrasound devices, to help paramedics diagnose and treat patients more quickly. In addition, the country has been investing heavily in 5G technology, which has the potential to greatly improve emergency care. 5G can support high-speed data transfer, allowing doctors to remotely monitor and diagnose patients in real time.
China has been increasing its use of air ambulances to transport critically ill or injured patients to hospitals. These air ambulances are equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed by highly trained medical professionals. The regional government of China has encouraged the development of a rural Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) system and set a deadline of 2025 for the completion of a government-led EMS system plan that serves both urban and rural areas
The rising geriatric population in Japan is likely to drive the demand for ambulance services over the forecast period. According to the article published in the BBC news, in September 2024, the national data of the Japan illustrates that around 29.1% of the 125 million population is aged 65 or older- a record. Moreover, more than one in 10 people in Japan are now aged 80 or older. The elderly population is more susceptible to various diseases and disabilities, which may propel the market for ambulance services in this country.
In addition, Japan is known for its highly advanced technology, and its ambulance services are no exception. Some ambulance services in Japan are equipped with telemedicine technology, which allows doctors to communicate with patients and paramedics in real time. This can be especially helpful in remote or hard-to-reach areas, and it also uses GPS and real-time traffic information to find the quickest and most efficient route to the scene of an emergency.
The Latin America market is expected to grow at a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period. An increase in per capita healthcare spending, prevalence of cardiovascular disorders, and rise in the number of road accidents are expected to boost the market in Latin America. For instance, as per the latest statistics published in Guardian News & Media Limited, around six million injuries, and 130,000 deaths are caused due to road accidents in Latin America. Road fatalities require immediate medical attention and EMS, which in turn propels the market in the region.
Moreover, an increase in the incidence of heart failure also contributes to the market growth. The country has a varied healthcare infrastructure and emergency care centers, with some countries having more advanced systems than others. In many Latin American countries, the government is responsible for providing healthcare services. These services are often offered through a national health system or public hospitals, which provide emergency medical care. The healthcare infrastructure in Latin America varies depending on the country. While some countries have well-equipped hospitals and medical facilities, others may lack basic resources such as medical equipment and supplies.
Advancements in their healthcare system and infrastructure are expected to increase the demand for ambulance services in the region. Moreover, the high prevalence of infectious diseases in African countries makes emergency ambulance services a necessity. For instance, as per the data published by the United Nations Organization, in July 2022, Africa] is experiencing an increasing risk of zoonotic pathogen outbreaks, such as the monkeypox virus, which started in animals and subsequently switched species to infect humans. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the number of zoonotic outbreaks in the region increased by 63% between 2012 and 2022 compared to 2001-2011. While these numbers have risen over the last two decades, there was a notable uptick in 2019 and 2020, when zoonotic infections accounted for roughly fifty percent of all public health occurrences. Ebola Virus Disease and other viral hemorrhagic fevers account for roughly 70% of these outbreaks, with dengue fever, anthrax, plague, monkeypox, and a variety of other diseases making up the remaining 30%.
In addition, increasing government focus on healthcare services in the region further drives the market growth. For instance, in May 2024, the Ministry of Health received two ambulances for use at the National Infectious Disease Center and one land cruiser pickup to support oxygen plant operations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of the Federal Republic of Germany as part of their ongoing efforts to improve the quality of healthcare services in Liberia.
This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2034. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the ambulance services market
By Transport Vehicle
By Emergency Services
By Regional
Cross-segment Market Size and Analysis for Mentioned Segments
Additional Company Profiles
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Additional Countries (Apart
From Mentioned Countries)
Country/Region-specific Report
Go To Market Strategy
Region Specific Market DynamicsRegion Level Market Share Import Export AnalysisProduction AnalysisOthers