Wheelchairs

2024

Growth in global sales of scooters for the disabled and elderly to $1.48 billion

In 2024, the global scooter market for the disabled and elderly amounted to $1.48 billion. About 44% of this amount fell on the North American region. Such data are presented in a study by Fortune Business Insights, the results of which were released at the end of April 2025.

One of the main drivers of the analytics industry is called population aging. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2030, people aged 60 and over will make up one sixth of the planet's inhabitants. By this time, their number will increase to 1.4 billion people against 1 billion in 2020. And by 2050, experts believe, the number of people aged 60 and over worldwide will reach 2.1 billion. It is expected that over the period from 2020 to 2050, the population of 80 years and older will triple to 426 million. Against this background, sales of electric scooters will steadily increase, which help people with limited mobility to maintain freedom and independence of movement on the streets.

Technological advances are also having a positive impact on the industry. Scooters for the disabled and elderly are overgrown with additional capabilities, including support for digital health monitoring accessories. Improved battery performance provides longer running time on a single charge. Developers improve the maneuverability of scooters and ease of control.

According to a 2017 report by the U.S. Census Bureau, about 40% of American adults 65 and older had mobility problems - having difficulty walking or keeping their balance. Modern electric scooters significantly improve the quality of life of such citizens and reduce their need for outside help. Analysts cite the relatively high cost of personal vehicles as the main deterrent, which limits their distribution in low-income countries. On the other hand, there has been an increase in the number of scooter manufacturers for the disabled and the elderly, which contributes to increased competition and lower product costs.

Constructively, the study authors segment the market into four-wheeled, three-wheeled, and other models. In 2024, scooters of the first type accounted for the lion's share of revenue - 67%, or almost $1 billion. Such vehicles provide higher stability compared to other types of scooters, as well as have good strength, which makes them the preferred choice for traveling long distances. Geographically, North America leads, where sales in 2024 amounted to $655.1 million. The dominance of the region is explained by government initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of people with limited mobility, as well as technical progress. Europe is in second place, and the Asia-Pacific region closes the top three. Globally, the following are named major players:

• Invacare Corporation;
• Excel Mobility (Van Os Medical B.V.);
• Pride Mobility Products;
• Medical Depot;
• Golden Technologies;
• Afikim Electric Vehicles;
• Amigo Mobility International.

In 2025, sales of scooters for the disabled and elderly worldwide are expected to reach $1.59 billion. Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR in the market under consideration will be 8.6%. As a result, by 2032, costs could increase to $2.83 billion.^[1]

Worldwide Electric Wheelchair Sales Rise to $2.48 Billion

In 2024, sales of electric wheelchairs globally reached $2.48 billion. Half of this amount - $1.24 billion - fell on the North American region. Such data are provided in a Fortune Business Insights study, the results of which were published in mid-April 2025.

Electric wheelchairs significantly improve the mobility of people with musculoskeletal problems, as well as patients with severe injuries. Such devices allow you to move around the house and streets without effort and assistance. Depending on the model, these strollers can reach speeds of up to 15 km/h or more, as well as travel significant distances (up to several tens of kilometers) on a single charge of the battery pack. Control is carried out using a joystick, push-button or touch panels integrated into the armrest from the side of the driving hand. In addition, there are alternative control systems - for example, using head movements.

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Фото: Freepik

The market driver of analysts is called technological advances, including the introduction of AI algorithms. The deterrent is the high price of modern devices, which limits their implementation in developing countries. Repair and maintenance costs further increase the overall cost of electric wheelchairs. Significant players on a global scale are named:

• Invacare Corporation;
• Ottobock;
• Drive Devilbiss International;
• GF Health Products;
• Etac AB;
• Sunrise Medical;
• Permobil;
• Pride Mobility Products;
• Carex.

Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR in the market under consideration will be 10.6%. Thus, by 2032, costs may increase to $5.54 billion.^[2]

2023: Wheelchair released that folds into hand luggage

At the end of September 2023, a unique wheelchair called Revolve Air went on sale. Thanks to a special transformable design, the novelty folds into hand luggage during air travel, and therefore it does not need to be checked into luggage. Read more here.

2020: Roszdravnadzor: cryptographic marking of wheelchair seats will reduce the number of manufacturers

Cryptographic marking of wheelchair seats will reduce the number of manufacturers, so such verification codes should be excluded, according to a letter that the head of Roszdravnadzor Mikhail Murashko wrote a letter to the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov.

According to Murashko, the letter, the system of unique identification of a medical device (UDI), which is used in world practice, does not imply inspection codes.

Roszdravnadzor opposed the labeling of wheelchair seats

The inclusion of inspection codes in the traceability system can lead to the loss of a significant number of foreign and domestic manufacturers of medical devices on the market , he points out in a letter (RBC leads a fragment of the message).

The press service of the Ministry of Industry and Trade  told RBC that it will be possible to make a decision on labeling only after the results of the experiment are analyzed. The department noted that the need to use cryptographic technologies to protect marking codes was established by a government order.

Marking wheelchairs began in 2019. As explained in the Ministry of Labor,  this is necessary to improve the quality of products. The marking code, valid by the beginning of 2020, consists of two parts: the identification code and the verification code. The latter is created using domestic cryptographic technologies. According to the initiators of the project, the marking of wheelchair seats. will make it possible to increase quality of products and level of control over its production and turnover.

Deputy General Director of CRPTRevaz Yusupov says that the exclusion of cryptography "actually means the creation of another separate information system," which, according to him, contradicts the state initiative to unite all systems on a single platform.

According to Mikhail Terentyev, chairman of the All-Russian Society of Disabled People (part of the design and expert group on labeling), the letter from Roszdravnadzor is an attempt to "adjust the labeling system" of wheelchair seats.^[3]

1973: Japan's Suzuki launches motorized wheelchair direction

Main article: Suzuki Motorized Wheelchairs

In search of new business development opportunities, Suzuki drew attention to the growing demand for medical and social equipment. In 1973, the company created a design team to develop products that could improve people's quality of life. After exploring various options, the team decided to focus on creating a motorized wheelchair.

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