Wheelchair Market: Information by Product (Electric Wheelchair, Manual Wheelchair, Accessories), by Category (Adults and Pediatric), End-Use (Home Care Settings, Hospitals & Clinics), and Region (Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa)—Forecast till 2027

Wheelchair Market Forecast:

The wheelchair market was valued at USD 3,720.47 million in 2019 and is expected to register a CAGR of 6.48% during the forecast period of 2020 to 2027.

Market Overview:

A wheelchair, fitted with wheels, is used to transport individuals who are unable to walk due to diseases, illnesses, or disabilities. Wheelchairs are primarily used by the differently-abled and geriatric population worldwide. Electric wheelchairs are used by elderly and disabled people, as they face difficulties operating a manual wheelchair effectively. Manual wheelchairs are lightweight and require less maintenance compared to electric wheelchairs.

The global wheelchair market is mainly driven by the rising geriatric population, and the increasing use of wheelchairs in fields such as athletics is anticipated to drive the market growth of the global Wheelchair market.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the world population above 60 years will almost double from 12% to 22% by 2050. This increase in the geriatric population will ultimately result in an increased demand for wheelchairs. However, the cost of electric-powered wheelchairs is high compared to their manual counterparts, which islikely to hamper the market growth.

COVID-19 Analysis:

The rising prevalence of COVID-19 is projected to influence market growth over the forecast period. As the coronavirus outbreak continues, the majority of medical device companies experienced a significant loss, thereby hampering the wheelchair market. The wheelchair production and supply have also been affected by the pandemic. Therefore, it is expected that there will be a slight decrease in the growth rate of the global wheelchair market during the forecast period.Moreover, owing to the increased priority for COVID-19 treatment, other surgeries, mainly leg-related, can be postponed. Therefore, the demand for wheelchairs that are required for these patients after surgeries is expected to decrease to some extent during the pandemic.

Market Dynamics:

Market Drivers

• Increasing geriatric population

An increase in age is accompanied by loss or decrease in the functionality of organ systems resulting in dependency for day-to-day activities. For instance, in the case of arthritis, joint pain causes reduced leg and lower body movement leading to restriction in locomotion. According to the WHO, it is estimated that the world population above 60 years will almost double from 12% to 22% by 2050. This increase in the geriatric population will ultimately result in an increased demand for wheelchairs. According to The United Nations (UN), in 2017, the population of people aged above 60 years was 549.2 million in Asia and 183 million in Europe, and is expected to be 1,273.2 million and 247.2 million in these regions, respectively. These factors are expected to boost the growth of the global wheelchair market during the forecast period.

• The increasing popularity of Paralympic games

Market Restraints

• High cost

Essentially, two types of wheelchairs, manual and powered, are available in the market. Manual wheelchairs are not battery propelled and need to be operated manually. Most of the users are aged and disabled, thus are dependent on others to operate their wheelchairs. An alternative to manual chairs is powered wheelchairs, which run on a power source and can be operated by patients themselves. However, the cost of these powered wheelchairs is high compared to manual counterparts. Thisis expected to restrain the global wheelchair market growth during the forecast period.

Market Opportunities

• Product launches

Key players are constantly involved in the launch of new wheelchairs and related products in the market. For instance, in March 2019, Yamaha Motor Corp., US, announced the launch of its NAVIGO joystick power system for wheelchair riders. NAVGIO is a transportable and effective joystick power system that can be integrated with manual wheelchair frames. Such new product launches provide a significant opportunity for manufacturers to increase their market share.

Mergers & acquisitions

• Expansion in emerging markets

Global Wheelchair Market Share (%), by Product, 2019

Source: MRFR Analysis

Value Chain Analysis / Technology Analysis / Regulatory Implications

The global wheelchair market is growing significantly and is expected to witness an upsurge during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing R&D initiatives by key players, the rising geriatric population, and the growing popularity of Paralympics. The value chain analysis for the wheelchair industry comprises four major components—raw material sourcing, manufacturing of the wheelchairs, distribution and sales, and end users. As the product has to be user-oriented, the value chain analysis of the wheelchair industry ends with user feedback and is thus different than other industries.

Segment Overview

The global wheelchair market has been divided based on product, category, and end use.

By Product

• Electric Wheelchair

Electric wheelchairs are used by elderly and disabled people, as they face difficulties in operating a manual wheelchair effectively. These wheelchairs are ideal for patients suffering from upper limb weaknesses, cardiopulmonary diseases, and poor trunk stability.The electric wheelchair segment is further sub-segmented into rear-wheel drive chair, center wheel drive chair, and front-wheel drive chair.

• Manual Wheelchair

Manualwheelchairs are lightweight and require less maintenance than electric wheelchairs. They are propelled by the users or other people to move from one place to another. The manual wheelchairs segment can be further classified as basic wheelchairs, sports wheelchairs, bariatric wheelchairs, standing wheelchairs, and others.

• Accessories

The global wheelchair market has been segmented on the basis of accessories into wheelchair ramps, batteries and chargers, wheelchair trays, armrest accessories, postural support accessories, and others.

By Category

• Adults
  

The adult wheelchair segment accounted for a larger market share in 2019. The demand for a wheelchair for adults is greater than that of pediatrics. This is due to the increasing disabilities in the functioning of adults with the increase in chronic health conditions, among other causes. Electric wheelchairs are widely opted by adults aging more than 60 years globally.

• Pediatric

Pediatric wheelchairs are lighter, faster, and easier to use and come in different colors, styles, and designs that are more appealing to kids. Pediatric wheelchairs are very helpful for youngsters with injuries or disabilities. Manual wheelchairs are widely used for kids for them to do some self-propelling. The pediatricsegment is expected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period due to the high number of invasive cosmetic procedures performed worldwide.

By End User

• Home Care Settings

The home care settings segment accounted for the largest market share in 2019 due to the increasing number of geriatric patients and increasing accidents.

• Hospitals

In hospitals, wheelchairs are widely used to move patients from one place to another. Every year up to 25% of the total number of wheelchairs are lost in hospitals.

• Clinics

In clinics, wheelchairs are widely used to move patients from one place to another. There has been an increase in the number of new clinics opening in the emerging markets that support the growth of the market.

Global Wheelchair Market Share (%), by Region, 2019

Source: MRFR Analysis

Regional Analysis

The global wheelchair market, based on region, has been divided into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa.

Americas:

The Americas is likely to hold the largest share of the global wheelchair market during the assessment period due to the well-developed healthcare sector and leading players. Moreover, the high popularity of Paralympics in the region further drives the growth of the Wheelchair market.

Europe:

Europe held a substantial share in the global wheelchair market.This can be attributed to the increasing support from the government, the presence of a huge geriatric population, and high healthcare spending.According to the report published by the European Union, the healthcare expenditure in European nations was around 9.6% of the total gross domestic product.

Asia-Pacific:

Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing region globally dueto the huge patient population and rapid development in technology. Moreover, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific estimated that in 2016, about 12.4% of the population within the region was aged 60 or more and is expected to reach 1.3 billion by 2050. This increasing obese population, in turn, is expected to increase the demand for the wheelchair in the Asia Pacific market.

Middle East & Africa:

The wheelchair market in Middle East & Africa is expected to register steady growth during the review period due to developing healthcare infrastructureand continuously increasing demand for products.

Competitive Landscape

The wheelchair market is profitable, both for existing players as well as new entrants. The market is highly competitive, with all players competing to increase their market share. Intense competition and environmental regulations are key factors that confront market growth. The vendors compete based on cost, quality, and reliability. It is decisive for the vendors to provide cost-efficient and high-quality products to survive and succeed in an intensely competitive and growing market environment. The growth of market vendors is dependent on market conditions, government support, and industry development. Thus, vendors should focus on expanding geographically and improving their products. They primarily focus on the development of innovative products.The major players in the global wheelchair market include Invacare Corporation (US), Ottobock (Germany), Drive Medical (US), and Pride Mobility Products Corp. (US).

List of Key Companies Covered in this report:

1. Invacare Corporation (US)


2. Ottobock (Germany)


3. Drive Medical (US)


4. Pride Mobility Products Corp. (US)


5. Quantum Rehab (US)


6. GF Health Products, Inc. (US)


7. Karman Healthcare, Inc. (US)


8. Levo AG (Switzerland)


9. Sunrise Medical (Germany)


10. Medline Industries, Inc. (US).

Recent Developments

• In October 2020, Sunrise Medical (Germany) launched product upgrades for its Quickie-powered wheelchair product portfolio. The upgrade enabled the company to offer enhanced services to its customers.


• In June 2020, GF Health Products, Inc. (US) launched Traveler L3 Plus XVI. The launch of the product enabled the company to strengthen its global presence.


• In June 2020, GF Health Products, Inc. (US) acquired Gendron, Inc. (US), a manufacturer of wheelchairs, hospital beds, stretchers, and other medical equipment.

Report Overview:

The study covers the existing short-term and long-term market effects, helping decision-makers to draught short-term and long-term plans for businesses by region. The report covers major regions in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The report also analyzes market drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges, Porter's five forces, value chain, and impact of COVID-19 on the market.

Scope of the Report & Segmentation

Global Wheelchair Market, by Product

• Manual Wheelchair
  
  
  
  • Standard Manual Wheelchairs
  
  
  • Light and Ultra Lightweight Wheelchairs
  
  
  • Bariatric Wheelchairs
  
  
  • Sport Wheelchairs
  
  
  
  


• Electric Wheelchair
  
  
  
  • Rear Wheel Drive Chair
  
  
  • Center Wheel Drive Chair
  
  
  • Front-Wheel Drive Chair
  
  
  
  


• Accessories
  
  
  
  • Wheelchair Ramps
  
  
  • Postural Support Accessories
    
    
    
    • Wheelchair Belts & Harnesses Accessories
    
    
    • Foot and Lateral Body Support Accessories
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Armrest accessories
  
  
  • Wheelchair trays
  
  
  • Batteries & chargers
  
  
  
  

Global Wheelchair Market, by Category

• Adults


• Pediatrics

Global Wheelchair Market, by End Use

• Home Care Settings


• Hospitals & Clinics


• Others

Global Wheelchair Market, by Region

• Americas
  
  
  
  • North America
    
    
    
    • US
    
    
    • Canada
    
    
    • Latin America
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


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


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


• Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  
  

Report Scope:

Report Attribute/Metric	Details
Market Size	2027: USD 3,720.47 million
CAGR	6.48%
Base Year	2019
Forecast Period	2020-2027
Historical Data	2017 & 2018
Forecast Units	Value (USD Million)
Report Coverage	Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
Segments Covered	Product, Category, End Use, and Region
Geographies Covered	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Rest of the World
Key Vendors	Invacare Corporation (US) Ottobock (Germany) Drive Medical (US) Pride Mobility Products Corp. (US) Quantum Rehab (US) GF Health Products, Inc. (US) Karman Healthcare, Inc. (US) Levo AG (Switzerland) Sunrise Medical (Germany) Medline Industries, Inc. (US).
Key Market Opportunities	• Product launches • Mergers & acquisitions • Expansion in emerging markets
Key Market Drivers	• Increasing geriatric population • Increasing popularity of Paralympic games

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

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