Report

Global medical chairs market is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.63% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 4.51 billion in 2023 to USD 7.54 billion in 2031. The global medical chair market is anticipated to expand due to factors like growing healthcare needs, rising demand for ergonomics and customizations, increasing emphasis on patient compliance, expanding healthcare settings, and increasing healthcare expenditure. Additionally, advancements in chair designs, regulatory emphasis on improving patient care, and expansion of ambulatory care centers are other factors contributing to the growth of the medical chair market.
Frequent upgrades in healthcare facilities and the development of healthcare infrastructure are anticipated to drive the demand for medical chairs. Growing preference for smart gadgets, including smart medical chairs/powered chairs and automated wheelchairs, is shifting the market paradigm, leading to faster growth of the powered chair segment. The growing use of sensors, IoT, and robotics in medical devices is also crucial in expanding the market. The market players are launching new products to engage the consumer base and enhance their offerings.
For instance, in April 2023, Stryker announced the launch of Xpedition-powered stair chair. Improving on the original stair chair offered earlier by Stryker, the Xpedition includes enhanced comfort and safety features for both the patient and the first responder team. Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies dedicated to developing innovative medical devices.
Growing Healthcare Needs Globally
Global growth in healthcare requisites is anticipated to significantly increase the demand for medical chairs. The increasing number of healthcare facilities and the rising healthcare expenses, including medical supply expenses, contribute to the growing demand for hospital furniture, including medical chairs. Additionally, the growing disease burden and rising geriatric population, which is highly prone to several diseases, further compound the demand for medical chairs as hospitals seek to accommodate increased patient demand and workforce challenges. As healthcare facilities continue to serve on the front lines, adequate resources, including medical chairs, become essential to ensure quality care and patient access.
For instance, the National Institute of Health (NIH), anticipates that the number of adults (50 years of age and older) with at least one chronic disease will increase by 99.5%, from 71.522 million in 2020 to 142.66 million in 2050. An estimated 48 million people (or 47% of all deaths globally) are expected to die from severe health-related suffering by 2060, an 87% increase from 26 million in 2016. It is anticipated that 83% of these deaths will occur in low- and middle-income countries. WHO estimates that by 2050, there will be twice as many people 60 years of age or older on the planet - 2.1 billion people.
Rising Emphasis on Patient Compliance
The rising emphasis on patient compliance impacts the demand for medical chairs by driving the need for accessible and inclusive medical equipment. Inaccessible medical examination chairs pose significant barriers to providing care for patients with mobility limitations, leading to substandard care and safety concerns. As a result, there is a growing need for medical chairs that allow independent transfer for patients with mobility disabilities and support patients in various positions, such as normal seating, reclined seating, and side-lying. Furthermore, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that patients with disabilities receive equal care, emphasizing the importance of accessible medical equipment, including examination chairs. Manufacturers are also sticking with the commitment to cater to the needs of patients through innovative products.
For instance, in December 2023, Fitform announced the launch of ZEN Care Chair, which is available exclusively in the United Kingdom through Channel Healthcare. The ZEN Care Chair offers electrically powered slow-motion rocking movement, which aims to reduce restlessness in patients, further supporting caregivers by taking care of clients' restlessness and anxiety with the calming rocking motion. This motion feature also helps reduce edema in patients' legs.
Advancements in Chair Designs Boost Demand
Several design advancements have been made in medical chairs in recent times. These advances include adjustable height, backrests, and armrests and the use of corrosion- and wear-resistant and durable materials. Other than these features, the integration of advanced imaging systems, improved workflow alternatives, and other technological features enhance the functionality and utility of the chairs. The design advancements attract healthcare providers and settings to install updated versions of medical chairs, further increasing the demand for medical chairs. Innovative solutions from key players play an essential role in expanding the medical chairs market.
In June 2023, A-dec announced the launch of its two dental chairs, which are the first-ever digitally connected systems. The products are named A-dec 500 Pro and A-dec 300 Pro platforms. A-dec is one of the largest privately owned dental equipment manufacturers in the United States and is also recognized as a global leader in dental solutions.
Dominance of Patient Chairs Segment
The patient chairs segment is anticipated to cover a major value share in the market. The dominance of this segment is owed to the fact that patient chairs for hospitals or clinic waiting rooms are widely used, featuring sturdy frames, padded seating, and various upholstery options to meet diverse needs. Growing patient populations, long waiting queues, high patient volume, limited healthcare providers, and limitations of healthcare facilities are some factors that increase the demand for patient chairs. The growing number of hospitals and other types of healthcare facilities are also contributing significantly to the expansion of this segment.
For instance, in August 2023, Vivid Care announced the launch of the neurological patient chair. The product is named Lento Neuro and is designed to support patients with special need of medical chairs to manage impaired neurological functions resulting from conditions such as Huntington's disease, Parkinson's, or dementia. The product has been developed after a collaborative effort with healthcare professionals over 18 months.
Hospitals are the Major End-user
The hospital segment is expected to dominate the end-user category in the medical chair market due to the high demand for medical furniture in healthcare settings. Hospitals require a wide range of medical chairs, including examination chairs, birthing chairs, dialysis chairs, ophthalmic chairs, ENT chairs, dental chairs, pediatric chairs, bariatric chairs, and geriatric chairs, leading to high demand in the market from hospitals only. The growing demand for rehabilitation chairs, including pediatric, bariatric, and geriatric chairs used for bathing, positioning, and mobility of the patient, is also helping this market segment to dominate. With an increasing number of healthcare setups, the demand for patient chairs is anticipated to increase.
Asia-Pacific to Grow at Fastest Pace
Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region in the medical chairs market with the highest CAGR. The increasing geriatric population in the region (for example, in Japan) is a significant driver of this demand, leading to a substantial socioeconomic burden and a rising need for medical equipment, including specialty medical chairs. Rapidly developing medical infrastructure, increased healthcare expenditure, and a significantly high disease burden are other factors driving the demand for medical chairs in the region.
Future Market Scenario (2024 - 2031F)
- Growing healthcare requirements globally and developing healthcare infrastructure is majorly driving the demand for medical chairs.
- Rising emphasis on improving patient compliance through comfortable seating also contributes to expanding the medical chairs market.
- Patient chairs are the leading segment in the medical chairs market due to the high patient volume and growing disease burden.
- Hospitals, being quite large setups for providing healthcare, attract many patients who need many seating facilities, thus becoming the leading end-user in the market.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
Private-owned players and local manufacturers mainly dominate the medical chair market due to easy accessibility, however, sophisticated medical chairs or specialized medical chairs are still manufactured and sold by global players like Topcon Corporation, KaVo Dental, etc. The key players in this market are involved in new product development, expansion strategies, mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships to strengthen their market position.
In February 2023, Danish healthcare company Vermund Larsen A/S, "VELA" announced the acquisition of its United States distributor, Enable Me. This acquisition is part of VELA's greater distribution strategy and aims to open the opportunity for expansion in the highly developed United States market. Enable Me has been the sole distributor of VELA in the United States and has more than 25 years of history.
In October 2023, Sunrise Medical announced the acquisition of Ride Designs, a dedicated firm specializing in premium custom seating systems for wheelchair riders. In addition to its current line of powered and manual mobility equipment, Sunrise Medical's custom seating options, clinical knowledge, and servicing capabilities have all significantly expanded due to the acquisition.