Report Overview
The global assisted walking devices market size was valued at USD 3.4 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% during the forecast period. Key factors attributed to the growth are the overwhelming geriatric population figures, rise in prevalence of target diseases, such as arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease, and rise in the total number of surgical operations globally. Furthermore, financial support and initiatives undertaken by government and private organizations to encourage the use of assistive mobility devices are expected to boost the market growth.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the market. During the pandemic, the manufacturing of assisted walking devices was halted due to a stay-at-home order by the government. It has led to a disoriented supply chain. In addition, due to limited financial resources, there is less investment in the research and development of assisted walking devices. However, the market has shown slight growth in the second half of 2020 and is expected to grow post-pandemic as well due to a rise in the prevalence of diseases such as obesity, which occurred due to inactivity and isolation during the pandemic. The rise in this has led to the use of walking devices by bariatric patients.
The increased prevalence of target diseases including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Parkinson’s disease is expected to propel the usage rates of assisted walking devices during the forecast period. The rise in the total number of surgical operations creates a high demand for assisted walking devices as they are employed in rehabilitation programs to gradually restore body balance and promote muscle functioning in sedentary, handicapped individuals.
Initiatives hosted by government and private organizations provide access to equipment demonstrations at centers that furnish patients with relevant advice related to making an equipment choice suited to a specific disability. Additionally, patients with chronic illnesses or long-standing disabilities are exempted from paying VAT on mobility products. The governments of the countries, the U.S., and the U.K. offer special grants to physically-handicapped patients to purchase this equipment. Independent organizations including Charity search, Disablement Information, and Advice Lines (DIAL) network, Rica, and Shop mobility are actively engaged in providing varied services for the physically disabled seeking solutions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Priority Assistive Products List, which has been published to promote equitable access to assistive mobility devices to those in need, and further, the list serves to outline reimbursement policies and provide guidance in matters related to purchasing these devices.
Product Type Insights
In 2021, the walker segment accounted for the maximum share of nearly 62.7% and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Walkers are preferred over other mobility devices due largely to enhanced stability provided by this equipment, which enables walking independently without assistance, and the provision of wider support by these mobility devices as compared to other walking devices thus promoting physical activity in physically-handicapped individuals. These aforementioned factors are also responsible for the rising demand for walkers as rehabilitation equipment.
However, the gait trainers segment is expected to witness a maximum CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period. This is due to the rising number of cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s disease, rise in the number of spinal injuries, and increase in the number of stroke cases in adults are some of the factors responsible for the growth of the gait trainer segment.
Regional Insight
In 2021, North America held the maximum revenue share of nearly 35.6% on account of the presence of a large geriatric population in this region. The presence of advanced healthcare facilities and well-developed reimbursement policies are the key factors driving the market in this region. Moreover, the high prevalence of target diseases, such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and other chronic disabilities in this region is expected to act as a high impact rendering driver for the market expansion over the next nine years. Furthermore, the availability of these mobility devices at subsidized rates for disabled patients is expected to propel this market during the forecast period.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest CAGR of nearly 7.5% during the forecast period. Key determining factors contributing to the high growth include the daunting geriatric population count in the Asia Pacific countries, such as China, India, and Japan, the increasing prevalence of chronic deformities in the population present in this region, the hike in public and private healthcare expenditures, and the rise in disposable incomes.
Key Companies and Market Share Insights
The market dynamics provide a competitive platform for various players to tap into the high-growth areas and cater to the high-unmet needs across the different regions. The established players are consistently engaged in launching modifications and new product designs to sustain a competitive advantage in the industry. For instance, in February 2021, Invacare Corporation announces the launch of Invacare® AVIVA® STORM RX™ power wheelchair. Some of the prominent players operating in the global assisted walking devices market include:
Medline Industries Karman,
Benmor Medical,
Briggs Healthcare,
Carex Health Brands,
TOPRO,
Invacare Corporation,
Drive medical design,
Eurovema AB
HUMAN CARE