ID: PMRREP23590| 199 Pages | 29 Nov 2025 | Format: PDF, Excel, PPT* | Healthcare
The global ambulance stretchers market is estimated to grow from US$ 2.4 Bn in 2025 to US$ 3.1 Bn by 2032. The market is projected to record a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032.
The global ambulance stretchers market is expanding steadily, driven by rising emergency medical cases, growing demand for advanced patient transport systems, and the increasing adoption of lightweight, ergonomic, and automated stretchers. Technological advancements such as hydraulic and electric-powered models are enhancing patient safety and ease of handling for healthcare workers.
North America dominates the market due to well-established emergency medical services and higher healthcare expenditure, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, supported by improving healthcare infrastructure, rising road accident rates, and government initiatives to strengthen emergency response systems.
| Global Market Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Global Ambulance Stretchers Market Size (2025E) | US$ 2.4 Bn |
| Market Value Forecast (2032F) | US$ 3.1 Bn |
| Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032) | 3.8% |
| Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024) | 3.2% |
Rising road accidents and trauma incidents have become a major driver for the ambulance stretchers market worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1.19 million people die each year from road traffic crashes, while 20 to 50 million sustain non-fatal injuries, many requiring emergency medical attention and transport.
The WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 highlights that low- and middle-income countries account for over 90% of these fatalities, despite having fewer vehicles. In India, for instance, around 216,618 deaths were reported in 2021 due to road accidents, representing about 15.4 deaths per 100,000 population.
Such alarming figures underscore the critical need for rapid patient transport and advanced medical evacuation systems. Consequently, the demand for durable, lightweight, and easy-to-operate ambulance stretchers-both manual and powered is rising globally to support faster, safer, and more efficient handling of accident victims in pre-hospital emergency care.
In many low-income and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), the availability and quality of ambulance services remain severely constrained, a significant restraint for the ambulance stretchers market. For example, a study across 13 LMICs found that ambulance utilization ranged from just 4% to 37% of patients needing pre-hospital care, indicating major gaps in transport infrastructure.
In Indonesia’s capital region, fewer than 1 ambulance per 100,000 population was reported, compared to roughly 8.6 per 100,000 in Wales, U.K. In India, government data show about 0.88 advanced life support (ALS) ambulances per 500,000 population and just 1.25 basic life support (BLS) vehicles per 100,000 population, well below the international benchmark of one ambulance per 50,000 people.
These shortages limit the need and adoption of specialized ambulance equipment such as powered or high-spec stretchers, hampering market growth in these regions.
The growing adoption of electric and hydraulic ambulance stretchers presents a significant opportunity for the ambulance stretchers market. In the U.S., a government report highlights that electro-hydraulic systems allow emergency medical personnel to “effortlessly raise or lower the gurney,” reducing the risk of injury and improving patient safety in the transport environment.
Meanwhile, official procurement specifications under India’s National Health Mission (NHM) mandate ambulances include an “auto loader-collapsible stretcher” that enables one person to raise and lower the patient load safely, explicitly emphasizing powered or assisted loading mechanisms.
These developments reflect a shift from manual systems toward mechanized support platforms, driven by concerns over paramedic musculoskeletal injuries and demand for enhanced patient comfort. As ambulance fleets modernize globally, the need for electric or hydraulic stretcher systems is rising, creating clear white-space for manufacturers offering ergonomic, power-assisted solutions.
The Transport Stretchers dominates the market with 55.0% share in 2025, due to high volume of non-emergency and scheduled patient transfers compared with acute critical transport. For instance, the NHS England reports that non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) in England handle around 11-12 million patient journeys annually, many of which involve scheduled outpatient transfers and inter-facility moves rather than emergency response.
Because these journeys dominate total ambulance-vehicle use, the “transport stretcher” type which is designed for routine patient handling rather than trauma or rapid extraction captures a larger share of procurement. This practical demand for equipment tailored to high-volume, lower-acuity transfers drives the transport stretcher product type to dominate the overall market.
Manual stretchers remain the most widely adopted type because they are significantly more cost-effective and simpler to maintain. For example, in a 2022 EMS equipment cost list from West Virginia’s EMS coalition, a manual ambulance stretcher was listed at US $26,000, whereas a powered stretcher was listed at US $96,000.
Additionally, a study found that while powered stretchers reduce musculoskeletal strain, they also come with higher complexity and cost burdens. Many EMS services, especially in budget-sensitive settings or developing regions, therefore continue using manual stretchers because they require no batteries or complex electronics, have lower maintenance demands, and are more reliable in austere environments where power supply or skilled maintenance might be lacking.
North America region dominates the global market with 34.9% share in 2025, its sophisticated emergency medical services infrastructure and high healthcare spending. In the U.S. alone, EMS agencies respond to approximately 17.4 million requests annually, equivalent to roughly 56 responses per 1,000 persons.
Concurrently, U.S. healthcare expenditure reached around US$ 15,074 per person in 2024, illustrating the ability to invest in advanced ambulances and stretcher systems. These factors, large call volumes, mature EMS networks, ample funding, and favorable reimbursement environments create a high demand for robust patient-transport equipment such as specialized ambulance stretchers, making North America the largest regional market.
The Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing area for the ambulance stretchers market owing to rapid healthcare infrastructure expansion and rising emergency service needs. For instance, India’s National Ambulance Scheme reports 15,283 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances as of June 2024, up significantly from earlier years, underscoring fleet expansion in the region.
In the state of Maharashtra alone, fleet size under the 108 emergency service nearly doubled from 937 to 1,756 units between 2013 and 2024. This scale-up of ambulance services increases the demand for compatible stretchers, driving the market. Moreover, under-penetration of advanced EMS infrastructure in many APAC countries presents significant white-space, giving manufacturers scope for growth and innovation in designs tailored to emerging markets.
Europe is a key region for the ambulance stretchers market because it features mature emergency medical services (EMS) systems, strong regulatory frameworks and steady demand for equipment upgrades. For example, across 22 European countries, there are on average around 105.6 ambulance responses per 1,000 inhabitants annually, indicating a high utilization of ambulance fleets.
Moreover, many nations follow standards such as CEN 1789 which specify design, testing and performance criteria for road ambulances (including stretcher-capable vehicles).
Additionally, EU-backed funding programmes are actively modernizing EMS fleets (e.g., Slovakia’s €22 million programme to upgrade 200 ambulances) demonstrating investment momentum. Together these factors, the high call volumes, regulatory emphasis and capital investment make Europe a strategically important market region for ambulance stretchers.
The global ambulance stretchers market is growing due to rising emergency cases, improved patient transport needs, and modernization of ambulance fleets. Hospitals and emergency services increasingly adopt lightweight, ergonomic, and foldable stretchers for safer, faster mobility.
Technological innovations, including hydraulic and electric models, enhance patient handling efficiency. Government investments in emergency healthcare infrastructure and rising road accidents further boost global demand, especially in developing regions upgrading medical transport systems.
The global ambulance stretchers market is valued at US$ 2.4 Bn in 2025.
Rising road accidents, aging population, improved emergency response systems, and technological advancements in stretcher design drive the global Ambulance Stretchers Market.
The global ambulance stretchers market is poised to witness a CAGR of 3.8% between 2025 and 2032.
Growing adoption of electric and hydraulic stretchers, telemedicine integration in ambulances, and expanding healthcare infrastructure create key market opportunities.
Stryker Corporation, Medline Industries, LP, Narang Medical Limited, FU SHUN HSING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, Ferno‑Washington, Inc., Zhangjiagang New Fellow Med Co., Ltd., and Others.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Historical Data/Actuals | 2019 - 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2032 |
| Market Analysis | Value: US$ Bn; Volume: Units |
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