India Personal Mobility Devices Market Outlook to 2030

India Personal Mobility Devices Market Overview

• The India Personal Mobility Devices Market, based on a five-year historical analysis, is valued at USD 401 million. The market growth is driven by an aging population, with an increasing number of senior citizens requiring mobility aids, and a rising incidence of disabilities due to chronic diseases. The growing healthcare expenditure, technological advancements in mobility devices, and improving healthcare infrastructure further bolster the markets expansion.

• Dominant cities in the Indian Personal Mobility Devices market include metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, which hold a significant portion of the market due to better healthcare facilities, higher purchasing power, and a higher incidence of lifestyle-related ailments that require mobility assistance. These cities have a larger elderly population and a greater concentration of hospitals and rehabilitation centers, making them key markets for mobility device manufacturers.
• The Accessible India Campaign sets forth guidelines for barrier-free environments, aimed at making public spaces and buildings more accessible to individuals with disabilities. By November 2022, reports indicated that 1,630 government buildings had been retrofitted for accessibility features, alongside significant improvements in transportation facilities at airports and railway stations

India Personal Mobility Devices Market Segmentation

By Product Type: The India Personal Mobility Devices market is segmented by product type into wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers & rollators, canes & crutches, and stair lifts. Wheelchairs dominate the market due to their widespread use among the elderly and disabled population. The demand for manual and powered wheelchairs is high because they are essential in providing independence to individuals with mobility impairments. Wheelchairs offer versatile use in hospitals, homes, and public places, making them the most popular sub-segment in the product type category.

By End-User: The India Personal Mobility Devices market is segmented by end-user into hospitals, home care settings, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Hospitals are the largest end-users, accounting for a dominant share of the market. This dominance is driven by the constant need for mobility devices for post-surgical care, patients with mobility restrictions, and the growing focus on providing enhanced mobility solutions to patients. Additionally, hospitals have a higher turnover of patients, necessitating the frequent purchase and maintenance of these devices.

India Personal Mobility Devices Market Competitive Landscape

The India Personal Mobility Devices market is dominated by key global and local players, creating a competitive environment driven by innovation, product availability, and pricing strategies. Companies like Karma Healthcare, Invacare Corporation, and Ottobock are among the dominant players, offering a range of mobility devices across different product categories. Local manufacturers like Besco Medical are also growing rapidly, leveraging cost competitiveness and local distribution networks to capture a portion of the market.

India Personal Mobility Devices Industry Analysis

Growth Drivers

• Aging Population: Indias elderly population (aged 60 and above) is growing rapidly, reaching over 346 million by 2050. This demographic shift significantly increases the demand for personal mobility devices as the elderly often face mobility issues due to age-related conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. The old-age dependency ratio, reflecting the number of elderly dependent on working-age individuals, creating a growing market for devices that can assist daily living. This change is likely to place a burden on healthcare systems, driving the need for enhanced mobility solutions.
• Increasing Prevalence of Disabilities: The most common type of disability reported is locomotor disability, accounting for 44.70% of all disabilities, followed by mental and speech disabilities. This reflects an increasing need for personal mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters. The prevalence of physical disabilities affecting mobility has surged due to factors like non-communicable diseases, injuries, and aging. With disabilities rising, mobility device manufacturers are experiencing higher demand, particularly in urban centers where disability-related services and products are more accessible.
• Rising Healthcare Expenditure: Rising healthcare expenditure in India, supported by increased government funding and better healthcare access, is driving growth in the medical technology sector, including personal mobility devices. This expansion is particularly noticeable in urban hospitals and rehabilitation centers, where demand for mobility aids is increasing for both recovery and long-term care. The overall rise in healthcare investment is enhancing the development and adoption of assistive technologies across the country.

Market Challenges

• High Initial Costs: The high cost of personal mobility devices is a significant barrier for many consumers in India. These devices, especially advanced models, are often unaffordable for a large portion of the population, particularly in rural areas where incomes are lower. While prices vary depending on the type of device, the overall expense limits accessibility, especially for individuals in low- and middle-income segments, thus hindering broader market penetration despite growing demand.
• Limited Insurance Coverage: Insurance coverage for mobility devices in India is limited, posing a financial challenge for those in need. Most health insurance policies do not cover the cost of assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or walking aids, making them unaffordable for many, particularly in rural areas. The lack of insurance coverage restricts access to mobility aids and further increases out-of-pocket healthcare costs for individuals, limiting market expansion.

India Personal Mobility Devices Market Future Outlook

The India Personal Mobility Devices market is expected to witness significant growth over the next five years. Key factors contributing to this growth include increased healthcare expenditure, government initiatives promoting accessibility for people with disabilities, and the continuous innovation in mobility technologies such as electric wheelchairs and advanced mobility scooters. The rising awareness around independent living solutions for elderly and disabled populations, coupled with improving healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, will further propel the market forward.

Market Opportunities

• Government Initiatives for Disability Support: India has implemented several government schemes aimed at improving access to mobility devices for individuals with disabilities. Initiatives like the Accessible India Campaign focus on enhancing accessibility in public spaces and providing financial support for purchasing mobility aids. These government programs offer a significant opportunity for the growth of the personal mobility devices market, particularly by increasing access and subsidies for low-income individuals, thereby improving the overall reach of mobility solutions.
• Growing Medical Tourism: India is becoming a major destination for medical tourism, with international patients seeking affordable healthcare treatments. Mobility devices are often required by these patients during their stay for temporary assistance. With advanced healthcare infrastructure and lower treatment costs, medical tourism presents an opportunity for the mobility devices market, as hospitals and rehabilitation centers increasingly stock these devices for foreign patients, creating an additional demand channel for personal mobility aids.