Powered Wheelchair Market Analysis And Forecast To 2031: By Product (Manual, Electric), By Category (Adults, Pediatric), By End-user (Homecare, Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Rehabilitation Centers), And Region
The global powered wheelchair market was valued at USD 4.2 billion in 2021 and it is anticipated to grow up to USD 6.8 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period.
Powered wheelchair is useful for patients suffering from severe mobility disorders, and neurological conditions hampering their daily lives. Electric wheelchairs are gaining popularity because of their benefits such as ease of use, more convenience, and unproblematic usage. They are often used by those patients that are unable to use manual wheelchairs or the user that want to cover longer distances in wheelchairs.
Market Trends and Drivers
Technical advancements have resulted in the creation of automated movement systems, which eliminate any caregivers assistance. These wheelchairs have easy maneuverability and can also be remote controlled. As a result, the demand for technical advancements in this equipment to improve comfort and safety is likely to create profitable opportunities for companies, resulting in the growth of the powered wheelchair market. Increasing burden of motor disabilities due to trauma, congenital diseases, and injuries is another leading cause for the demand of intelligent wheelchairs globally. Increasing life expectancy due to increased access to healthcare has led to an increased number of geriatric population. Elderly people have an increased risk of suffering from mobility issues. This can also be attributed to the rising demand for motorized wheelchair, especially in the developed countries.
Market Restraints and Challenges
The powered wheelchair market is expected to be restrained by the lack of reimbursement policies for powered wheelchair across several countries. The powered wheelchair is a class II medical device in the US, which requires a physicians prescription for reimbursement from Medicare. In Europe, the powered wheelchair is classified as a Class I medical device, which allows for reimbursement from national health insurance systems. However, in several countries, there is no specific classification for powered wheelchair, which limits the reimbursement for the device. The powered wheelchair market is also expected to be challenged by the high cost of the device. The powered wheelchair can cost up to $20,000, which is not covered by Medicare or most private insurance plans. In addition, the powered wheelchair requires regular maintenance and upkeep, which can add to the overall cost of ownership.
Global Powered Wheelchair Market Segmental Overview
The report analyses the global powered wheelchair market based on product, category, end-use, and region.
Global Powered Wheelchair Market by Product
Based on product, the global powered wheelchair market is segmented into front wheel, mid wheel, rear wheel, and others. The rear wheel segment accounted for more than 36% market share in the year 2021 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.2% over the forecast period. Rear wheel drive (RWD) wheelchair is powered through the engine driving the rear wheels. These wheelchairs provide better control and power in fast corners, and do not lose traction as well. The rear-wheel-drive wheelchair spread the weight evenly as compared to its counterparts. The RWD are sturdy and are resistant to wear and tear. For instance, the Invacare Aviva Storm Rx power wheelchair is a RWD integrated with electronic control system, which can be used for indoor as well outdoor travel. According to the WHO 2021 statistics, more than 1 billion people worldwide are living with some form of disability. The prevalence of disability is vividly increasing due to the changing demographics, and rising burden of chronic diseases. Additionally, around 3.8% of the global population suffer from major difficulties in daily functioning and require assistance. Consequently, the rising burden of disability is set to propel the demand for powered wheelchair thereby fueling the market expansion over the analysis period.
Global Powered Wheelchair Market by Category
Based on the category, the powered wheelchair market is divided into adult, and pediatric. The adult patients using electric wheelchair accounted for significant market share in 2021. With the technological advancements in all the sectors over the past few years, the patients also show an increased tendency in accepting innovative products for their healthcare. Electric wheelchair has been in existence for a long time. But, in recent times, healthcare infrastructure has developed to a greater extent, accessibility to modern and quality healthcare, availability of innovative products and increased per capita income have directly affected the demand of these products. According to a research article, approximately three fourth of the geriatric population use the internet and are comfortable using smartphones. Thus, all the aforementioned factors contribute to the high share of adult patients using motorized wheelchair, thereby attributing to the powered wheelchair market development.
Global Powered Wheelchair Market by End-user
The electric wheelchair end-users are segmented into hospitals, homecare, ambulatory surgical centers, and rehabilitation centers. The homecare segment surpassed significant revenue share in 2021. Majority of the patients suffering from chronic conditions are hampering their mobility stay at home. Opting for homecare offers the patients advantages such as increased comfort, personalized care, family involvement, companionship, amongst others. A home care plan is tailored to your family's needs rather than conforming to the schedules and routines of a care facility. Homecare facility can also be customized based on the patients need for assistance such as few hours, or full-time care. Therefore, owing to the various advantages, homecare segment will propel the industry expansion over the analysis period.
Geographical Analysis of Global Powered Wheelchair Market
Region-wise, it is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America powered wheelchair market revenue is poised to grow significant CAGR during the forthcoming years. The high market share can be attributed to the advanced healthcare infrastructure in the country. Increased access to quality healthcare, variety product availability and high patient awareness. Some key manufacturers have their headquarters in the U.S., which further adds to the availability of products in this country. Furthermore, according to a published research article, over 5 million people in the U.S. use wheelchair for mobility and the geriatric population is four times more likely to use wheelchair than the other patients. Additionally, currently over 2.8 million children below 12 years of age use wheelchair. Hence, these factors are attributing to the demand of electric wheelchair in North America and are expected to drive the regional market statistics over the forecast period.
Major Players in the Global Powered Wheelchair Market
The key players in the powered wheelchair market are
COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the health of elderly in the UK. According to a survey conducted by the Age UK, it was observed that around 1.5 million people aged 65 and more suffered from difficulty in walking, which did not exist before the restrictions imposed for the pandemic. Additionally, around 23% of the geriatric population suffered from decrease in their abilities to perform daily activities since the lockdown. Old age brings its own array of diseases to a person such as motor disabilities, debilitating diseases, and decreased mental capacity and tends to hamper the quality of life amongst elderly. Powered wheelchair allows the elderly to move around indoors as well as outdoors easily, thereby improving the quality of their lives. As a result, the global market for electric wheelchairs is expected to grow due to a growth in the older population, further proving conducive for the market.
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