Patient Handling Equipment Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Patient Transfer Devices (Patient Lifts, Slings, Air-assisted Lateral Transfer Mattresses, Sliding sheets, Accessories), Medical Beds, Mobility Devices, Bathroom and Toilet Assist Equipment, Stretchers and Transport Chairs), By End user (Hospitals & Clinics, Homecare settings, Others), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 11.68 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.25%
Fastest Growing Segment	Patient Transfer Devices
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 15.88 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Patient Handling Equipment Market will grow from USD 11.68 Billion in 2025 to USD 15.88 Billion by 2031 at a 5.25% CAGR. Patient handling equipment encompasses specialized assistive devices, including mechanical lifts, slings, transfer chairs, and ambulatory aids, designed to facilitate the safe mobilization of patients while minimizing physical strain on caregivers. The market is primarily driven by the escalating global geriatric population and the concurrent rise in mobility-impairing disabilities, which necessitate robust ergonomic interventions to prevent occupational injuries among nursing staff. According to the 'National Council on Aging', in '2024', 'over one out of four older adults falls each year', a figure that underscores the critical volume of patients requiring effective transfer solutions for recovery and daily assistance.

Despite these strong growth catalysts, the market faces a significant impediment regarding the substantial capital investment required for acquiring and maintaining advanced handling systems. This financial barrier often deters smaller healthcare facilities and home care providers from adopting comprehensive mechanical solutions, thereby limiting broader market expansion. Consequently, while the operational need for injury prevention remains acute, budgetary constraints continue to challenge the widespread implementation of these essential safety mechanisms across resource-limited healthcare infrastructures.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid growth of the global geriatric population stands as a primary catalyst for the expansion of the patient handling equipment market. As life expectancy increases, a larger demographic segment becomes susceptible to mobility-restricting conditions, necessitating the use of mechanical aids for daily living activities and medical care. This demographic shift directly correlates with a higher volume of patients requiring assisted transfers, thereby fueling the demand for ergonomic lifting solutions in hospitals and long-term care facilities. According to the United Nations Population Fund, July 2024, in the '2024 State of World Population Report', the proportion of the global population aged 65 and older reached 10.3% in 2024, a demographic reality that is intensifying the pressure on healthcare systems to adopt specialized mobility technologies.

Concurrently, the critical need to reduce caregiver musculoskeletal injuries is reshaping procurement strategies across the healthcare sector. Manual patient handling poses severe risks to nursing staff, leading to high rates of occupational hazards that drive facilities to invest in mechanical lifts and transfer devices to ensure workforce safety and regulatory compliance. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 2024, in the 'Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2023' news release, the healthcare and social assistance industry reported 562,500 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in 2023, the highest number among all private industry sectors. This prevalence of occupational hazards supports a robust commercial environment for safety equipment manufacturers; for instance, according to Arjo, March 2024, in the 'Annual and Sustainability Report 2023', the company achieved organic net sales growth of 4.7% for the full year, reaching SEK 10,980 million, reflecting the sustained operational demand for patient handling solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital investment required to acquire and maintain advanced handling systems presents a distinct barrier to the growth of the global market. Mechanical lifts and electronic transfer aids involve high upfront costs that are often prohibitive for smaller healthcare facilities and home care agencies. Beyond the initial purchase price, providers must budget for recurring expenses associated with servicing, battery replacements, and specialized staff training. These cumulative financial demands frequently force organizations to delay or cancel the acquisition of necessary ergonomic devices, limiting the market reach of these safety technologies.

This economic strain directly affects procurement strategies within the sector. When faced with tight operating margins, healthcare administrators often prioritize immediate clinical consumables over long-term safety investments. According to the 'American Hospital Association', in '2024', 'non-labor expenses, which encompass costs for medical equipment and supplies, increased by 16.6 percent per adjusted discharge compared to pre-pandemic levels'. This escalation in operational costs reduces the available capital for patient handling interventions, thereby hampering widespread adoption in resource-constrained environments.

Key Market Trends

The adoption of robotic-assisted patient transfer systems represents a significant technological leap from traditional manual or hydraulic lifts. These active exoskeletons and powered suits are being integrated into hospital workflows to actively support nursing staff, thereby reducing the physical exertion required for mobilizing patients. This trend directly addresses the critical challenge of workforce retention by mitigating operator fatigue and injury risks associated with repetitive heavy lifting. According to German Bionic, January 2024, in the 'Meet the German Bionic e-exoskeleton Apogee+ Power Suit' article, the company's latest wearable technology specifically designed for healthcare workers empowers caregivers with up to 66 pounds (30 kg) of back relief per lifting movement, significantly lowering the risk of musculoskeletal strain during daily operational tasks.

Simultaneously, the development of specialized bariatric handling solutions is expanding the market's scope to address the distinct needs of the rising population with obesity. Standard equipment often lacks the structural integrity or dimensional width to safely accommodate higher weight capacities, prompting manufacturers to engineer reinforced transfer aids and heavy-duty slings. This product segmentation is becoming essential for acute care centers that must manage complex patient demographics without compromising dignity or safety. According to the World Obesity Federation, March 2024, in the 'World Obesity Atlas 2024', the number of adults living with obesity is projected to rise to 1.53 billion by 2035, a statistic that signals a sustained, long-term demand for high-capacity ergonomic devices across the global healthcare infrastructure.

Segmental Insights

The Patient Transfer Devices segment is projected to record the most rapid expansion within the Global Patient Handling Equipment Market. This growth is primarily driven by strict enforcement of occupational safety regulations and the critical need to mitigate musculoskeletal disorders among nursing staff. For example, guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration emphasize utilizing mechanical aids to eliminate manual lifting hazards. Furthermore, a rising geriatric population necessitates frequent mobility assistance, which compels healthcare providers to adopt lifts and sliding sheets. These factors collectively accelerate the integration of transfer solutions to verify compliance and enhance caregiver welfare.

Regional Insights

North America holds a dominant position in the global patient handling equipment market, supported by a rising geriatric population and a high prevalence of chronic conditions requiring long-term assistance. The region benefits from established healthcare infrastructure and favorable reimbursement policies that support equipment procurement. Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration promotes strict guidelines to minimize musculoskeletal injuries among caregivers, driving the adoption of mechanical lifting aids. This focus on workforce safety, combined with robust regulatory oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ensures the sustained demand for patient transfer devices across the region.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Arjo introduced the Maxi Move 5, the latest generation of its mobile patient floor lift designed to improve caregiver safety and operational efficiency. The device integrated a new sensor technology called Motion Assist, which responded to push, pull, and pivot movements to facilitate smoother maneuvering in confined spaces. This launch also included a Powered Dynamic Positioning System that allowed a single caregiver to manage transfers with precision and reduced physical effort. The updated lift aimed to minimize work-related injuries among staff while ensuring comfortable and dignified handling for patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
• In February 2025, Stryker announced the launch of the ProCeed hospital bed, a durable solution aimed at enhancing care in markets outside the United States. This product was engineered to address nursing shortages and staff burnout by providing an efficient, easy-to-use platform that streamlined daily tasks for medical teams. The bed featured a low height to support patient mobility and reduce fall risks, along with a fifth wheel to minimize start-up push force for caregivers. Additional ergonomic elements, such as versatile headboard options and intuitive controls, were included to enhance patient safety and ease the physical burden on healthcare professionals.
• In February 2025, Agiliti launched the Essentia, a multi-acuity hospital bed frame manufactured to support a wide range of patients across different clinical environments. The bed was equipped with proprietary safety features, including a unique rail system that provided significant unobstructed egress space to assist patients entering or exiting the bed. It also offered a low deck height to help prevent fall-related injuries and a reverse tilt function to facilitate early mobility therapy. The Essentia was designed to ease the workload on caregivers while accommodating advanced therapies and ensuring compliance with safety standards for higher-acuity care.
• In March 2024, Etac launched the Molift Transfer Pro, a new sit-to-stand transfer aid designed to enhance seated transfers and support early rehabilitation. The device was developed to reduce the physical strain on caregivers while empowering patients to utilize their own strength during movement. It featured a compact design optimized for tight spaces and supported single-handed care, promoting a safer environment for both users and staff. The Molift Transfer Pro facilitated comfortable transfers between seated positions, such as from a wheelchair to a bed, ensuring dignity and safety in various healthcare settings while minimizing the risk of injury.

Key Market Players

• Baxter International Inc
• Invacare Holdings Corporation
• Stryker Corporation
• DRIVE MEDICAL GMBH & CO. KG
• Etac AB
• GF Health Products, Inc.
• V. Guldmann A/S
• Joerns Healthcare
• Medline Industries, LP
• Prism Medical UK

By Type	By End user	By Region
Patient Transfer Devices (Patient Lifts, Slings, Air-assisted Lateral Transfer Mattresses, Sliding sheets, Accessories) Medical Beds Mobility Devices Bathroom and Toilet Assist Equipment Stretchers and Transport Chairs	Hospitals & Clinics Homecare settings Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Patient Handling Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Patient Handling Equipment Market, By Type:

• Patient Transfer Devices (Patient Lifts, Slings, Air-assisted Lateral Transfer Mattresses, Sliding sheets, Accessories)
• Medical Beds
• Mobility Devices
• Bathroom and Toilet Assist Equipment
• Stretchers and Transport Chairs

• Patient Handling Equipment Market, By End user:

• Hospitals & Clinics
• Homecare settings
• Others

• Patient Handling Equipment Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE