Market Scenario
Global electric wheelchair market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period from 2023-2031 and is anticipated to reach a valuation of US$ 16,411.28 Mn by 2031, up from US$ 6,999.15 in 2022. This growth is primarily attributed to the rising demand for electric wheelchairs in hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare settings to improve the welfare of patients and healthcare workers. This trend is fueled by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities, especially among the aging population.
Advancements in technology have led to the development of electric wheelchairs with automated controls that enable patients to easily adjust the seat and control the apparatus through remote or built-in controls. Furthermore, the introduction of electric wheelchairs with artificial intelligence that can be operated through facial expressions is anticipated to drive the growth of the market further.
With the rise in the elderly population, the demand for electric wheelchairs in hospitals and nursing homes is expected to surge in the coming years. Electric wheelchairs are becoming increasingly important for patient mobility, as they provide a safe and comfortable transfer of patients from one location to another. These factors, coupled with technological innovations, are expected to fuel the growth of the global electric wheelchair market in the foreseeable future.
Factors leading to the growing presence of players in the Electric Wheelchair market are:
Growing Aging Population
The burden of chronic illness and disability on the elderly has significantly increased in recent years due to the growing aging population. According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, older adults will be using two or more assistive devices to overcome barriers and achieve full and equal participation in society. Wheelchairs are one of the primaries means of mobility and independence for the elderly population. While life expectancy has significantly increased in EU countries, many elderly individuals still suffer from chronic illnesses and disabilities. The EU's strategy for combating chronic diseases includes an integrated response that emphasizes prevention across sectors and initiatives to improve the management of chronic conditions. It is predicted that disability among the elderly population will increase by 23% globally by 2030.
Prevalence of Chronic Disease Leading to Disability
Chronic diseases are a major concern for nations, as they negatively impact the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are a leading cause of early death and disability in older age. Chronic respiratory diseases, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) account for about 60% of all causes of death. For instance, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are diagnosed in 18% and 27% of Indian adults, respectively, with a much higher prevalence in urban than in rural areas. Only 19% of rural residents have health insurance, and 10% lack access to basic medications. Chronic health conditions (hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis) are more likely to present in disabled individuals. Stroke prevalence has increased 14% annually in low-income countries over the past three decades, and the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 552 million in 2030 from 336 million in 2011, with the greatest rate of increase (92%) occurring in low-income countries. The rise in such diseases is expected to increase the demand for wheelchairs in the near future as more individuals require assistive devices to maintain mobility and independence.
Factors restraining market growth.
High Cost of Wheelchairs and Lack of Accessibility of Public Places by Wheelchair Users
One of the main challenges in the wheelchair market is the high cost of wheelchairs and the lack of accessibility of public places for wheelchair users. According to recent surveys, over 30% of public elementary and junior high schools in Japan lack a wheelchair-accessible restroom, and more than 70% lack an elevator. The ministry has set a goal to increase wheelchair accessibility in schools by fiscal 2025 and has expanded subsidies to local governments to achieve this because many schools are designated to serve as evacuation centers during a disaster. However, governments of various countries, including Australia, India, Japan, and China, are taking steps to fund the upgrading of public places to meet the needs of wheelchair users. These initiatives and policies present an opportunity for disabled individuals to purchase wheelchairs for everyday use and enjoy full accessibility and dignity in public places.
The lack of accessibility of public places has also resulted in social and economic exclusion of wheelchair users, limiting their participation in society. This exclusion can be addressed by increasing the availability and affordability of wheelchair products and by improving accessibility in public places through better design and construction standards. The development of innovative solutions such as foldable and lightweight wheelchairs can also help address some of the cost barriers to accessibility. By increasing access to affordable and accessible wheelchairs, individuals with disabilities can have greater independence and participation in society, leading to a more inclusive and equitable world.
Market Segmentation
Product Analysis
The electric wheelchair market in 2022 is dominated by the center wheel drive segment, accounting for the largest share of the market at USD 3320.0 million. This segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 11.4% over the forecast period. While the front wheel drive segment is expected to gain traction in the coming years, the center wheel drive segment currently holds most of the market share for electric wheelchairs due to its better stability, small turning radius, and light front tires. With about 87% of accidents while using a wheelchair due to tipping over physical barriers like staircases, the center wheel drive provides better safety by keeping the user’s center of gravity directly over the drive wheels, offering excellent stability. Mid-wheel drives are the most manoeuvrable because they have the smallest 360-degree turning circumference and the tightest turning radius (20 to 26 inches).
Component Analysis
The motor segment is the largest component in the electric wheelchair market in 2022, with a value of USD 2,603.0 million. It is also anticipated to grow with the fastest CAGR of 11.7% from 2023 to 2031. People who are unable to push a manual wheelchair or who may need to use a wheelchair over rough terrain or long distances may find motorized wheelchairs useful. Many power wheelchairs have small footprints and anti-tilt wheels that make navigating tight spaces easier, making them ideal for indoor use. Electric wheelchairs provide a convenient means of mobility for people with disabilities or limited mobility as they can easily move around by simply pressing a button or lever.
Charging Type Analysis
The wired segment in charging type analysis dominates the market, holding more than 78% of the market share in 2022. Additionally, the wireless segment is growing at the highest CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period of 2023-2031. The wireless smart charging system eliminates the need for a plug-in charger, promising to significantly improve user mobility. The system recharges the wheelchair when it is positioned over a specially designed charging pad. However, the current infrastructure cannot support wireless charging at all locations, leading to the presence of wired charging more than wireless charging. There is a serious shortage of public charging points for wheelchair users.
Application Analysis
The senior-care segment leads the market share in the electric wheelchair market in the base year 2022, with a market share of 36.9%. Moreover, it accounts for the highest CAGR of 11.4% during the forecast year of 2023-2031. The elderly population aged 60 and above is the largest age group with a disability and hence the most significant users of the electric wheelchair market. Countries such as the US and UK have the highest mobility-related disability among the elderly population. In the UK, frailty is found in 20-30% of the elderly population aged over 75 years and increases with advancing age.
Distribution Channel Analysis
The offline segment in distribution channel analysis dominates the market, holding more than 58% of the market share in 2022. Additionally, the online segment is growing at the highest CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period of 2023-2031. Online buying options have come as a relief to disabled people who find it almost impossible to travel to physical stores and buy wheelchairs. With the rapid advancements in the e-commerce sector, disabled people can simply order their desired wheelchair online and get them delivered to their doorstep. However, one of the main drawbacks of the online sales channel is that the user cannot try and check the comfort level of the wheelchair.
End User Analysis:
The hospital and clinic segment leads the market share in the electric. wheelchair market in the base year 2022, with a market share of 44.2%. However, it is expected that the home care setting segment will grow with the fastest CAGR of 11.4% over the forecast year of 2023-2031. Caregivers often take care of disabled people at home than in hospitals to make them feel much comfortable and homely. As there is high prevalence of environmental barriers such as stairs and narrow lanes that can lead to high incidences of accidents among wheelchair users, homecare settings are the best and safest places for disabled people. Additionally, the growing aging population and the increasing incidence of disabilities among them are expected to drive the demand for electric wheelchairs in the home care setting segment in the coming years.
Region Analysis
Based on region, the market has been divided into the North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. The prevalence of disability is expected to rise in APAC region due to rise population growth, increasing cases of chronic related disabilities and elderly population. Over one in 6 people are disabled in APAC region. The two most populous nations in the APAC are China and India. China is regarded as an aging economy because there are over 241 million people in China who are over 60. In addition, China manufactures roughly 75% of the world's electric wheelchairs due to its major players. During the forecast period, North America is anticipated to come second to APAC. 61 million adults in the US had some form of disability in 2021, according to US disability statistics.
Competitive Landscape:
Top 4 key players in the market is holding ~60% of the market share while the remaining players are sharing ~30% of the electric wheelchair market revenue.
Some of the prominent players in the market are:
Recent strategies adopted by key market players are:
Segmentation Overview
The Electric Wheelchair market is sub-segmented into:
By Product
By Component
By Charging Type
By Application
By Distribution Channel
By End-user
By Region
The electric wheelchair market size was US$ 6,999.15 million in 2022.
The electric wheelchair market is studied from 2018-2031.
Yes, the electric wheelchair market report includes COVID-19 impact analysis
The electric wheelchair market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period 2023-2031 and is expected to reach a value of USD 16,411.28 million by the end of 2031.
Factor such as rise in disability and chronic disease cases due to aging population, and prevalence of chronic disease leading to disability are driving the growth of the electric wheelchair market.
The senior care application segment holds highest CAGR in the electric wheelchair market during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific region is growing with the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
High cost of wheelchairs and lack of accessibility of public places by wheelchair users is a major limiting factor for the electric wheelchair market growth.
China holds the major share in term of revenue in the Asia Pacific electric wheelchair market.
Product type, component, charging type, application, distribution channel, end user, and region are the different segments in the electric wheelchair market.
Carex Health Brands, Inc., Drive Medical Ltd., GF Health Products, Inc., Invacare Corporation, Karma Medical Products Co., Ltd, Karman Healthcare, LEVO AG, Matsunaga Manufactory Co., Ltd., Medline, MEYRA GmbH, among others.
Features | Type of License | |||
 Single User |   Multi User |  Corporate | ||
| e-Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
User Sharing | 1 User Only | 2-6 Users | Unlimited within Company/Enterprise | |
⨉ | ⨉ | ✓ | ||
Free Customization | Up To 30 hrs work | Up To 60 hrs work | Up To 80 hrs work | |
Deliverable |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ⨉ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| ⨉ | ⨉ | ✓ | |
Analyst Support | 4 Month Post purchase | 7 Month Post purchase | One Year Post purchase | |
Free Report update in next update cycle | ⨉ | ⨉ | ✓ | |
Free Industry Update (Within 180 days) | ⨉ | ⨉ | ✓ | |
Benefit | Up to 20% off on next purchase | Up to 30% off on next purchase | Up to 40% off on next purchase | |
| Report ID: AA0423388 
