Global Wheelchair Market Outlook, 2028

A wheelchair is a type of medical equipment used to help people move around who have limited or no independence when walking. Wheelchairs let people become more autonomous and mobile by propulsion, either manually or automatically. Worldwide, the number of children and adults with physical disabilities is rising quickly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 15% of the global population is disabled as of 2018. Moreover, an increase in the number of elderly people around the world is anticipated to increase demand for wheelchairs during the forecast period. A significant trend anticipated to propel market sales in the future is the evolution of technology breakthroughs in wheelchair designs. The introduction of battery-operated electric wheelchairs is anticipated to help users more. Additionally, thanks to design advancements, wheelchairs can now save, link to, and even monitor the users' health information as well as their medical history.

According to the research report, “Global Wheelchairs Market Outlook, 2028”, the market is anticipated to reach USD 9 Billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 7.03% from USD 6.10 Billion in 2022. Over the projection period, developing nations like India are anticipated to be major sources of income for wheelchair manufacturers. The nation has one of the highest rates of traffic accidents in the world, which has left many individuals crippled. On a global scale, it also has one of the highest populations of disabled people. The country is still in the early stages of availability and adoption, but thanks to encouraging government initiatives and rising consumer awareness, the demand for wheelchairs is anticipated to increase in the years to come.



The market is segmented geographically into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa. In terms of market revenue, North America currently holds a market share of more than 35% of the global market and will do so for the foreseeable future. The primary variables that are 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. Also, the presence of major players working in the mobility device industry in the U.S. is anticipated to support the expansion of this market. Because of the rising incidence of childhood developmental disorders and accidental accidents that impair mobility, the Asia Pacific market is anticipated to rise at a rate of over 9% during the projected period. Due to the expanding use of powered wheelchairs and rising unmet demands in these regions, South America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to see considerable market expansion.

Based on Product type, the market is segmented into manual and powered wheelchair. Among them, the powered & electric segment held the largest wheelchair market share of more than 61% in the year 2022. The growing adoption of powered wheelchairs and advantages offered by them as compared to the manual wheelchairs would boost the growth of this segment. Powered wheelchairs can be controlled & operated with minimal efforts. An increase in the launch of powered wheelchairs by many key players is also expected to support the growth of the segment. For instance, in 2017, Invacare Corporation launched a TDX SP2 power wheelchair with LiNX technology and motion concepts ultra-low maxx positioning system. Thus, the introduction to highly advanced powered wheelchairs is likely to enhance mobility among the disabled people and will improve the quality of life of patients. Manual wheelchairs can be easily operated and they do not require the need for any assistance. They are easily affordable and require less maintenance or care. The growing usage of these wheelchairs in both high and middle-income countries is likely to boost the demand for manual wheelchair during the forecast period.

On the basis of Electric Wheelchair Type, the market is segmented into Center Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive and others. The center wheel drive segmented dominated the market with the share of more than 40% in 2022 due to its features like stability, Small 360 degree radius, and also it is more users friendly. The Front Wheel Drive segment is anticipated to grow with the significant CAGR of 9.30% during the forecast period due to its features like Comfort, Good obstacle capabilities, Good for drivers with alternative controls and many more. The Rear Wheel Drive is also anticipated to grow at a healthy growth rate during the forecast period.

On the basis of Category type, adult segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 69.33% in 2022. 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 paediatric segment is also expected to grow significantly with a CAGR of 8.52% 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 paediatric segment is expected to be a key revenue generator for wheelchair manufacturers in the coming years.

Based on Application Type, the global market has been divided into homecare, hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), and rehabilitation centers. Rehabilitation centers segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 33.50% in 2022. However, the segment will witness sluggish growth over the forecast period. The hospital's segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 8.39% from 2023 to 2028. 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.

Based on Functional Type, the market is categorized into standard wheelchair, bariatric wheelchair, sports wheelchair, Standing Wheelchairs and others. Among them, the standard wheelchair segment captured the largest market share of 45.31% during the forecast period owing to their increasing usage amongst the disabled population. Moreover, the availability of cost-effective products is likely to propel the demand for these wheelchairs during the forecast period. The bariatric wheelchair segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest pace owing to the increasing number of overweight people and the rising adoption of a sedentary lifestyle. The latter is one of the most crucial market trends that would further augment the growth of this segment. Growing advancements in technology has offered substantial opportunities to the disabled athletes and narrowed the competition gap. Such advancements are likely to boost the growth of the sports wheelchair segment during the forecast period.

Recent Development:
• The 'One Remedy' innovation, which also integrates the most famous wheelchair users with several of the impressive aspect structures for such a perfect system, was introduced by Powered Company throughout Jan. 2022. The specializes in the manufacture as well as reseller of chronic hospital devices, including mobility scooters, pressure care, wheelchairs, walkers, and positioning products.
• The Intelligent Chairs 3 foldable wheelchairs were introduced on 19 Oct 2021, by LITH-TECH, a wheelchairs company with headquarters in the UK. That entrance wheelchairs provide aspects like a 1 x 12AH charger capable of traveling about 12 miles per charge and therefore are usable both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, this would be designed especially for customers who enjoy utility and dependability and has been extremely high due because of its adherence to baggage allowances for flights.
• An Invacare AVIVA Tornado RX, a back wheel powered wheelchair for another era that will raise the bar for powered transportation, was unveiled on Aug 2, 2021, by Invacare Company, an American wheelchairs producer. This wheelchair's small length and small breadth offer it just a tiny base layout that ensures agility with just an increased motor system that runs at 5.8-7.5 mph.
• Wheel Air introduces a new strong backrest organized and summarise in 2021 to assist people in wheelchairs. According to the company, integrating or retrofitting a Wheel Air Technology, that enables wheelchair users to access their temperature and relative humidity, onto one stiff backrest may be done in 2 months.
• Numotion, a complexity rehabilitation technologies (CRT) network operator, purchased the Monroe Powerchair chair in Feb 2020. Monroe Chair offers services for complexity rehab advanced technologies as well as health products.
• IIT Madras University, as well as Phoenix Healthcare Systems will introduce the first domestically produced developed "Stand Power chair" within India in Nov 2019. This technology allows a wheelchair-required individual with a disability to change positions autonomously and safely between seated to having to stand.
• German-based Ottobock, a top wheelchairs producer, experienced dual development within the wheelchairs industry in 2019. An epidemic problem, therefore, sharply reduced their revenues. Similar problems were experienced by numerous other organizations. Through the close of 2020, the company would have been up and running, offering its customers e-services including video chats for e-appointments, home delivery, and social networking sites advice.

Covid-19 Impact:
The healthcare system has witnessed enormous challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. All outpatient treatments were postponed or restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the risk of viral transmission as most chronic pain therapies were regarded as non-urgent. There was a huge barrier for people with disabilities in accessing healthcare services and information. Also, they had a higher risk of suffering from depression because of the social distancing and associated isolation protocols, thereby having a profound impact on the Wheelchair market.

Companies Mentioned in this Report:
Karma Medical Products Co., Ltd., Aquila Corporation, Ride Designs, Hoveround Corporation, Invacare Corporation, Levo AG, Matia Mobility, Medline, Ostrich Mobility Instruments Pvt. Ltd, Otto Bock, Permobil AB, Pride Mobility Products Corporation, Sunrise Medical LLC, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, Etac AB, DEKA Research & Development Corp, Meyra GmBH, Eagle Sportschairs LLC., CE Mobility, Eurovema AB

Considered in this report
• Geography: Global
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report
• Global wheelchair market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region-wise wheelchair market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions & Countries covered in the report:
• North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Russia)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)
• Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa)

By Product type:
• Electric & Powered Wheelchair
• Manual Wheelchair

By Electric & Powered Wheelchair Type:
• Center Wheel Drive
• Front Wheel Drive
• Rear Wheel Drive
• Others (Standing Power Wheelchair, Paediatric Power Wheelchair, Portable Power Wheelchairs, Elevating-Seat Capable Power Wheelchairs, Heavy Duty Power Wheelchairs, etc.)

By Category Type:
• Adult
• Paediatric

By Application Type:
• Homecare
• Hospitals
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Rehabilitation Centers

By Function Type:
• Basic Wheelchair
• Sports Wheelchair
• Bariatric Wheelchair
• Standing Wheelchair
• Others (Reclining Wheelchair, Foldable Wheelchair, Beach Wheelchairs, Dog Wheelchairs, etc.)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Wheelchair industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.

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Manmayi Raval

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