Wheelchair Market Trends

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.