Global Wheelchair Market Size, Forecast, and Trend Highlights Over 2025-2037
Wheelchair Market size is projected to grow from USD 5.64 billion to USD 14.44 billion, witnessing a CAGR of over 7.5% during the forecast period, between 2025 and 2037. In the year 2025, the industry size of wheelchair is estimated at USD 5.98 billion.
Wheelchairs are rapidly gaining traction due to the increasing prevalence of spinal cord injuries, mobility impairments, and physical disabilities across several age groups. According to the World Health Organization statistics, 80 million people i.e. 1% of the global population require a wheelchair to assist their mobility. This has resulted in a surging need for advanced, user-friendly, and comfortable wheelchairs. Leading manufacturers and industry giants are forming strategic alliances to develop wheelchairs with advanced technologies and features. For instance, in November 2024, Sunrise Medical announced the launch of QUICKIE QS5 X, a lightweight folding wheelchair with a stylish and sophisticated design and robust frame construction.
The integration of advanced technologies such as AI, M, and IoT has resulted in the development of next-generation wheelchairs with features such as autonomous navigation, advanced health monitoring, and real-time personalized adjustments. Several companies are developing advanced sensors. Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. for example announced the launch of a new wheelchair electric power unit, the JWG-1, retrofitted to the manual wheelchair in October 2024. The company plans to sell the units to manufacturers from January 2025. These units can be fitted to manual wheelchairs, enabling motorization.
Wheelchair Sector: Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
- Increasing number of people suffering from severe disabilities: The increasing prevalence of disability due to chronic health conditions such as Down syndrome, depression, and cerebral palsy has resulted in growing demand for advanced wheelchairs. According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 6 people, representing 16% of the world’s population have some significant disability. Moreover, rising geriatric population and expansion of nursing homes are expected to fuel the market growth. Older adults often face mobility challenges due to arthritis, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis, resulting in the need for lightweight, ergonomic, and motorized wheelchairs.
- Rising cases of road accidents: Countries such as the U.S., and India have high road accident rates, resulting in high number of permanent or temporary disabilities. Road accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and amputations, necessitating the use of long-term wheelchairs. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Centre, every year in the U.S., around 17,700 new spinal cord injuries occur, with vehicular crashes being the leading cause of injury.
Challenges
- High cost of wheelchair: The cost of wheelchairs, especially motorized or high-tech models can be significantly higher owing to multiple features installed to provide better services to the users. This can be a barrier for several users, especially in low-income or developing economies.
- Infrastructure and accessibility barriers: Lack of suitable infrastructure and accessibility for wheelchairs, especially in public places, transport systems, and workplaces can limit the user’s independence and mobility. Moreover, challenges in supply chain and manufacturing can hamper overall sales of wheelchairs to a certain extent during the forecast period.
Wheelchair Market: Key Insights
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Base Year |
2024 |
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Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
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CAGR |
7.5% |
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Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 5.64 billion |
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Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 14.44 billion |
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Regional Scope |
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Wheelchair Segmentation
Product (Manual, Smart, Powered/Electronic)
The powered/electronic wheelchair segment is estimated to gain the largest wheelchair market share over the projected time frame. The growth can be attributed to the ease of use of electronic wheelchairs, especially for older people, as manual wheelchairs are not equipped with batteries and need to be operated manually. Opposed to manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs run on a power source and can be operated by the patients themselves. Besides this, the radically increasing prevalence of chronic disorders is another major factor boosting the demand for powered wheelchairs. In March 2023, Golden Technologies launched two lightweight foldable power wheelchairs, GP301 Stride and GP302 Cricket expanding their mobility product base. These products are portable, stylish, lightweight, and easy to drive.
Verticals (Handicapped, Neurologically Impaired, Others)
The handicapped segment in wheelchair market is likely to register rapid CAGR throughout the forecast period owing to the rising number of patients suffering from mobility disorders such as muscular dystrophy, arthritis, cerebral palsy, stroke, or even amputation, and increasing aging population across the globe. Several key players are launching wheelchairs integrated with advanced technologies such as AI and IoT to help differently-abled people navigate in different environments. For instance, Invacare Corporation in August 2021, introduced Invacare AVIVA STORM RX, a next-generation rear wheel drive power wheelchair. This wheelchair is equipped with advanced technologies such as pre-set programming parameters, live wireless programming, and ASL specialty controls to enhance the functionality of the wheelchair.
Our in-depth analysis of the global wheelchair market includes the following segments:
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Type |
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Product |
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Verticals |
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End user |
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Customize this ReportWheelchair Industry - Regional Synopsis
North America Market Forecast
North America wheelchair market is projected to hold the largest revenue share by the end of 2037. This growth can be attributed to the increasing aging population and rising number of disabled people due to sports injuries and road accidents. According to a report by WHO, as of 2020, 3.3 in 1000 people per year in the U.S. use a wheelchair. In addition, the rising number of aged people with severe disabilities and technological advancements in wheelchair design are expected to fuel market growth in this region.
The rising number of elderly individuals who require mobility solutions in the U.S has resulted in a high demand for wheelchairs. As of 2020, approximately 12% of the population residing in the U.S was estimated to have some sort of disability. This has encouraged key players in the country to develop and launch advanced and comfortable wheelchairs with features such as powered seating, joystick controls, and smart features. Moreover, government initiatives and favorable reimbursement plans to promote the adoption of advanced wheelchairs is expected to fuel market growth going ahead.
Asia Pacific Market
Asia Pacific wheelchair market is likely to register rapid growth during the forecast period owing to the presence of the elderly population facing mobility-related challenges and improving healthcare infrastructure and facilities in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Local manufacturers are leveraging technological innovations to develop cost-effective, customizable wheelchair solutions and cater to rising demand. In addition, governments in some countries are implementing programs to subsidize mobility aids, making wheelchairs accessible and affordable for individuals with disabilities.
In India, the market is expected to expand at a fast pace between 2025 and 2037 due to rising number of disabilities caused by road accidents and chronic health conditions, the high elderly population, and increasing investments in R&D activities to develop advanced mobility solutions. For instance, in March 2024, IIT Madras announced the launch of India’s most customizable electric standing wheelchair, NeoStand that helps users to transition from sitting position to standing.
Companies Dominating the Wheelchair Landscape
- Medline plc
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
- Medical Depot, Inc.
- Numotion LLC
- Seating Matters Global Ltd
- Karman Healthcare
- Sunrise Medical LLC
- Invacare Corporation
- Carex Health Brands, Inc.
- Pride Mobility Products Corporation
- GF Health Products, Inc.
The competitive landscape of the market is rapidly evolving, attributed to the integration of advanced technologies by key players. The key players are focused on developing new technologies and products catering to the stringent regulatory norms and consumer demand. These key players are adopting several strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, and novel product launches to enhance their product base and strengthen their market position. Here are some key players operating in the global market:
In the News
- In January 2025, Bowhead Design Corporation unveiled its plans to launch a next-generation carbon fiber manual wheelchair, Bowhead Era Wheelchair in Canada and the U.S.
- In January 2024, Sunrise Medical launched Switch-It Vigo head control that allows drivers to maneuver their power wheelchairs. This is a wireless, proportional head control that allows better social interaction while driving the wheelchair.
Author Credits: Radhika Pawar
- Report ID: 4631
- Published Date: Mar 04, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
