Wheelchair Market (By Product: Manual, Electric; By Category: Adults, Paediatric; By Application: Homecare, Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Rehabilitation Centers)- Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2022-2030

The global Wheelchair market size was estimated at USD 6.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to surpass around USD 14.7 billion by 2030 and poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.49% during the forecast period 2022 to 2030.

Key Takeaways:

• By product, the electric wheelchair segment has garnered 55.6% revenue share in 2021. However, the manual product segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2022 to 2030.
• By category, the adult segment contributed 69.4% revenue share in 2021.
• By application, the rehabilitation centers segment accounted highest revenue share 34.5% in 2021.
• North America region dominated the market with 35% revenue share in 2021.
• Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR over the forecast time period.

The rising geriatric population and the increasing number of spinal cord injuries which needs mobility assistance are some of the major factors driving the market growth. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, around 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 the wheelchair. The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly affected the transport and mobility sector. It had disrupted the supply channel of the wheelchair to a great extent.

The rising demand for mobility assistance and the geriatric population is expected to drive market growth. As per the Americans with Disabilities Act, a wheelchair is designed mainly for use by an individual with a physical disability. Wheelchairs can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes. An increase in life span and the number of elderly persons at a global level is one of the key reasons expected to contribute to the growth of the market.

The market is disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic which affected the market due to the restrictions and lockdown imposed by the government as a result, the demand and sale of the product decreases. The demand for a wheelchair is expected to increase due to the rising geriatric population and mobility issues that occurred to the people during the pandemic. Although the number of hospital visits by regular patients had reduced during the lockdown, the number of patients affected with COVID-19 witnessed a spike. With the ease of lockdowns, the manufacturing operation of the mobility device is expected to come back to normal.

The rise in the number of disorders requiring an assistive device is also one of the key factors expected to contribute to market growth. The most common disability that needs a mobility device is spinal cord injuries. As per the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, around 294,000 people currently living with spinal cord injuries, in the U.S. with 17,7300 new cases each year. Thus, the U.S. is expected to be a major potential market for the supplier and manufacturers of mobile devices over the forecast period.

Report Scope of the Wheelchair Market

Product Insights

The electric wheelchair segment led the global market in 2021 with a revenue share of more than 55.6% and is estimated to expand at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. 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 launched Scewo Bro, an electric wheelchair that can also operate on stairs independently and effortlessly. It is available in Austria, Switzerland, 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 and 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.

Category Insights

The adult segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 69.4% in 2021. 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 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 require 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 movement disability in childhood in the U.S. Thus, the pediatric segment is expected to be a key revenue generator for wheelchair manufacturers in the coming years.

Application Insights

The rehabilitation centers segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 34.5% in 2021. However, the segment will witness sluggish growth over the forecast period. Based on application, the global market has been divided into homecare, hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), and rehabilitation centers. The hospital's segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030.

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, and for a visit to a doctor’s office in a large-scale medical facility.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the global market in 2021 and accounted for the largest revenue share of 35%. This growth is owing to the high target population and increased adoption of advanced wheelchairs. Moreover, the presence of a large number of 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 for transportation with a high speed of 24 mph.

In the Asia Pacific, the market 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, the high geriatric population in countries, such as Japan, also supports market growth.

Some of the prominent players in the Wheelchair Market include:

• 21st Century Scientific, Inc.
• Alber (Frank Mobility)
• Aquila Corporation
• Aspen Seating
• Carex Health Brands, Inc.
• Custom Engineered Wheels
• DEKA Research & Development Corp (U.S.)
• Drive Medical Design & Manufacturing
• Eagle Sportschairs LLC.
• EASE Seating System
• Forza Medi 
• Graham-Field Health Products Inc.
• Hoveround Corporation
• Intelliwheels
• Invacare Corporation
• Karma Healthcare Limited
• Levo AG (Switzerland)
• MATIA ROBOTICS (U.S.)
• Medical Depot Incorporation.
• Medline
• MEYRA GROUP GMBH (Germany)
• NeoBolt
• Numotion
• Ostrich Mobility Instruments Pvt. Ltd
• OttoBock Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd
• Permobil AB
• PITSCO EDUCATION LLC (U.S.)
• Pride Mobility Products Corporation
• Quantum Rehab (U.S.)
• SEGWAY INC.
• Silverline Meditech Pvt. Ltd. 
• Stryker India Pvt. Ltd
• Sunrise Medical LLC
• Tetra Equipment
• The Wheelchair Place, LLC
• UPnRIDE Robotics Ltd. (Israel)
• Vissco Rehabilitation Pvt. Ltd
• WHEEL INC (U.S.)
• WHILL Inc (Japan)

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global Wheelchair market

By Product 

• Manual
• Electric

By Category

• Adults
• Paediatric

By Application

• Homecare
• Hospitals
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Rehabilitation Centers

By Geography

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Southeast Asia
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

• GCC
• North Africa
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

• This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the global Wheelchair industry analysis from 2022 to 2030 to identify the prevailing Wheelchair industry opportunity.
• The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
• Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
• In-depth analysis of the global Wheelchair industry segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
• Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
• Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
• The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global Wheelchair industry trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.