What this market covers
Lightweight, adjustable wheelchairs for users who want to move on their own at work, in sport and in daily life. Individuals, clinics and rehabilitation providers buy them.
Typical segments
- Rigid frame chairs
- Folding chairs
- Sports wheelchairs
- Power assist wheelchairs
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +55% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +3% since 2020.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €170.8 million of products under CN code 87131000 (Carriages for disabled persons, not mechanically propelled) from outside the EU in 2025. | 170.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 87131000 were up 55% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€109.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +55 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 87131000 to countries outside the EU were worth €107.2 million in 2025. | 107.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 87131000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €154.0 million in 2025. | 154.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 87131000 to the EU in 2025, with €104.5 million, or 61% of extra-EU imports. | 104.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 87131000 to the United States were €3.1 million in 2025. | 3.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 87131000 was €7.03 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 7.03 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 87131000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €38.5 million. | 38.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,440 enterprises in NACE class C3092 (Manufacture of bicycles and invalid carriages) in 2023. | 2,440 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3092 had net turnover of €10.70 billion in 2023. | 10.70 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3092 employed 38,029 people across the EU in 2023. | 38,029 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 3,528 private establishments in NAICS 339113 (Surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing) in 2025. | 3,528 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 339113 employed an average of 105,116 people in US private industry in 2025. | 105,116 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 339113 changed by +3% between 2020 (102,053 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +3 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 339113 was $102,311 in 2025. | 102,311 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| The FDA has recorded 681 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair". | 681 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| 104 of those clearances were issued from 2021 to 2025. | 104 510(k) clearances | 2025 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Invacare Corp. holds 26 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair". | 26 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Fred Sammons, Inc. holds 19 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair". | 19 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Poirier S.A. holds 13 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair". | 13 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Zhenjiang Assure Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. holds 11 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair". | 11 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Everest & Jennings, Inc. holds 10 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair". | 10 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Colours 'N Motion holds 9 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair". | 9 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| PubMed indexed 616 papers mentioning "wheelchair" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 616 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87131000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 170823998
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87131000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 109928536; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 170823998
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87131000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 107185337
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87131000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 154004587
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87131000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 104485871
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87131000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3145994
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 87131000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 170823998, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 242850
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 87131000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 38548751
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3092, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2440
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3092, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 10700
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3092, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 38029
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 339113, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339113, annual_avg_estabs 3528
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339113, annual_avg_emplvl 105116
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 102053; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 105116
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339113, avg_annual_pay 102311
- Figure 12
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: openFDA 510(k) clearances, device_name "wheelchair" (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 16
openFDA device/510k device_name:"wheelchair", sum of counts by decision_date = 681
- Figure 17
openFDA device/510k decision_date 2021-2025 count = 104
- Figure 16
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: openFDA 510(k) clearances by applicant, device_name "wheelchair" (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 18
applicant.exact "Invacare Corp." count 26
- Figure 19
applicant.exact "Fred Sammons, Inc." count 19
- Figure 20
applicant.exact "Poirier S.A." count 13
- Figure 21
applicant.exact "Zhenjiang Assure Medical Equipment Co., Ltd." count 11
- Figure 22
applicant.exact "Everest & Jennings, Inc." count 10
- Figure 23
applicant.exact "Colours 'N Motion" count 9
- Figure 18
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "wheelchair"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 24
esearch count 616
- Figure 24
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Individuals
- Rehabilitation centres
- Mobility equipment dealers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
Companies to watch
Invacare Corp.
26 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair".
Fred Sammons, Inc.
19 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair".
Poirier S.A.
13 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair".
Zhenjiang Assure Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.
11 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair".
Everest & Jennings, Inc.
10 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair".
Colours 'N Motion
9 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "wheelchair".
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU active wheelchair market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €170.8 million of goods under CN 87131000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €107.2 million.
Where does the EU import active wheelchair from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, United States, Taiwan.
What is the average import price of active wheelchair in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €7.03 per kilogram for CN 87131000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most active wheelchair?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, France.
How many active wheelchair devices are cleared by the FDA?
openFDA lists 681 510(k) clearances for devices named wheelchair.
Which companies hold the most FDA clearances for active wheelchair?
By 510(k) count: Invacare Corp., Fred Sammons, Inc., Poirier S.A., Zhenjiang Assure Medical Equipment Co., Ltd..
Ask about this market
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- Where does the 170.8 figure for the Active wheelchair Market come from?
- How big is the Active wheelchair Market?
- What does the Active wheelchair Market cover?
- Who are the largest suppliers in the Active wheelchair Market?
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