Ambulance Services Market Synopsis

Ambulance Services Market Size Was Valued at USD 48.94 Billion in 2023 and is Projected to Reach USD 109.13 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 9.32 % from 2024-2032.

An ambulance is a medically equipped vehicle that is utilized for conveying & transporting individuals to healthcare services such as hospitals and clinics. Generally, a patient is given medical attention outside of a hospital setting while being moved from one place to another. Emergency medical services (EMS) utilize ambulances to promptly respond and offer essential transport during a medical emergency.

• Air ambulances contain medical equipment and staff for in-flight medical treatment, while non-medical aircraft assist in transferring patients and organs. Ambulance services are the emergency response for the transportation of medically injured or ill patients to and from hospitals to ensure timely health treatment by healthcare professionals. These services offer numerous benefits such as convenience, flexibility, and safety. The main distinction is that they travel longer distances and at a faster pace. They are commonly needed when a patient has to cover long distances and needs specialized medical treatment during the journey. Ambulance services are utilized for a range of reasons, including attending to medical emergencies like heart attacks, accidents, and strokes, as well as transferring patients between healthcare facilities for specialized treatments or consultations.
• Efficient outpatient services result in timely medical care for accident victims or patients with chronic conditions. Ambulance services have a crucial role in the provision of healthcare. The ambulance is the main mode of transport for providing urgent medical care, although motorcycles, cars, aircraft, or boats are also utilized by some. The ambulance services include various types such as standby, emergency surface, and air ambulances (rotary wing and fixed wing), as well as nonemergency surface and air ambulances, and additional services.
• The goal of emergency medical services is to either provide treatment to those in need of urgent medical care, to satisfactorily treat the malady, or to arrange for the timely removal of the patient to the next point of definitive care. This is most likely a Casualty at a hospital or another place where physicians are available. The term Emergency Medical Service (EMS) evolved to reflect a change from a simple transportation system (ambulance service) to a system in which actual medical care occurred in addition to transportation. In some developing regions, the term is not used or may be used inaccurately, since the service in question does not provide treatment to the patients, but only the provision of transport to the point of care

Key Industry Player:

American Medical Response (U.S.), Rural/Metro Ambulance Services (U.S.), Lifeline Ambulance Service (U.S.), MedStar Ambulance (U.S.), Priority Ambulance (U.S.), Whelen Engineering (U.S.), McCormick Ambulance (U.S.), Falcon Ambulance (U.S.), Western Ambulance (U.S.), Empress Ambulance (U.S.), Acadian Ambulance Service (U.S.), Global Medical Response (U.S.), Air Methods Corporation (U.S.), Falck (Denmark), British Ambulance Service (U.K.), Allianz Worldwide Care (Ireland), Ambu A/S (Denmark), Babcock International Group PLC (U.K.), London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (U.K.), Ambulance Victoria (Australia), San Juan Ambulance (Australia), Rao’s Ambulance Service (India), International SOS (Singapore), Emergence Medical Services (South Africa)

Ambulance Services Market Trend Analysis

Increasing Ambulance Requests Due to Road Accidents and Cardiovascular Emergencies

• The frequency of ambulance requests is increasing due to the urgent need for medical assistance following road accidents. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death worldwide and often requires urgent attention from ambulance services. According to statistics from WHO, more than 1.3 million individuals lose their lives in road accidents, meanwhile, approximately 17.9 million fatalities are caused by CVD. The growth in population is likely supported by several cardiovascular illnesses and accidents.
• The WHO approximates that one million Europeans and 0.8 million Americans have a stroke each year, while more than 4 million sustain serious injuries in car crashes. Furthermore, the lack of prompt ambulance services in different areas leads to more than 18 million deaths annually due to cardiovascular diseases. For trauma, stroke, and heart attack cases, timely medical or surgical intervention is often required. Due to the rise in incidents of heart attacks, strokes, and trauma, there is more room for the expansion of ambulance services worldwide.
• A rise in accidents, caused by higher usage of commercial and personal vehicles, has led to an increase in hospital visits for urgent medical care and support. Therefore, patients & accident victims heavily rely on ambulance services for transportation to and from healthcare facilities. The United States experiences around 10 million road traffic accidents every year, making it one of the most traffic accident-prone countries globally.

Technological Advancements Boosting Ambulance Services

• Because of the advancement of medical technology, the level of care given to patients during air ambulance transportation is increasing. Advanced communication systems enable the transmission of real-time health information of patients to hospital specialists, aiding medical staff in preparing for emergencies. Air ambulances are equipped with essential medical tools such as a ventilator, heart monitor, and defibrillator for administering emergency medical care to patients.
• Technological advancements in ambulances consist of RFID utilization, 5G connectivity, high-quality video calling, telemedicine options, and interconnected healthcare networks. The combination of these technologies has enhanced the effectiveness, productivity, and security of ambulance services, resulting in improved patient care and results. Furthermore, remote healthcare options and interconnected healthcare systems have facilitated quicker and more efficient healthcare delivery.
• Technologies for disinfection, like ultraviolet light systems, are now essential to maintain the cleanliness and safety of ambulance equipment. In general, these technological progressions have been crucial in the development of ambulance services, ultimately providing advantages to both the public and healthcare providers.

Ambulance Services Market Segment Analysis:

Ambulance Services Market Segmented by Transport Vehicle, Services, Equipment, and by Operating Type.

By Transport, the Ground segment Is Expected to Dominate the Market During the Forecast Period.

• Ground ambulances continue to be vital for emergency medical services globally, often being the primary and easily reachable mode of medical travel. These ambulances are prepared to deal with various emergencies and have paramedics and EMTs on board. Ground ambulance services are crucial for both urban and rural regions, providing prompt assistance for accidents, medical emergencies, and transporting patients between healthcare facilities. They have both advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) capabilities, providing different levels of care based on the patient's condition.
• The ground ambulance sector dominated the market in 2023 with a 72.39% revenue share, driven by vehicles. Ground ambulances can consist of vans, pickup trucks, cars/SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, and buses. Anticipated growth in this region's segment is driven by increasing cardiovascular disorder cases. According to the CDC, one person in the U.S. dies every 30 seconds.
• The rise in cases of cardiovascular disease is a major factor fueling the expansion of this sector worldwide. In the realm of ground ambulance services, vehicles can range from vans, pickup trucks, cars/SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, and golf carts, to buses. Additionally, the increasing occurrences of traffic accidents and unexpected occurrences play a major role in increasing the market's worth.

By Services, The Emergency Ambulance Services Segment Held the Largest Share.

• The market is likely to be controlled by emergency ambulance services because of the frequent occurrence of accidents and the large population of people over 60 years old who are more susceptible to medical issues. Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the surge in COVID-19 cases resulted in a notable increase in the need for emergency ambulance services. Emergency ambulance services are vital in addressing urgent medical needs and providing quick responses during accidents, emergencies, and crises.
• Service providers are broadening the range of this sector by integrating technology-based solutions in ambulance vehicles. Efforts by both the government and stakeholders to deal with medical emergencies are driving the growth of this sector. The emergency services sector led the market in 2023, accounting for approximately 62.09% of the overall revenue. There is expected to be substantial growth in this sector.
• Ambulance service for emergencies is offered to individuals with serious medical conditions or sudden injuries. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada reports that there are 35,000 instances of cardiac arrest annually in Canada. The annual death toll from stroke in Canada is nearly 62,000. The CDC approximates that about 3.4 million individuals in the United States are afflicted with epilepsy.
  UC Davis Health reported that firearm accidents account for around 39,707 deaths in the U.S. every year. Therefore, the segment is poised to witness continued growth due to people undergoing traumatic events and emergency medical services over the forecast period.

Ambulance Services Market Regional Insights:

North America is Expected to Dominate the Market Over the Forecast Period

• North America held the majority of the market with a revenue share of 48.31% in 2023. The area is home to key industry leaders like Air Methods, Acadian Ambulance Service, and American Air Ambulance. North America has a solid healthcare system, supportive reimbursement policies, and an increasing need for top-notch healthcare services. There is a growing need for ambulance services in the area due to the high number of residents, especially the elderly, who are at risk for chronic illnesses and accidents.
• In February 2019, the Innovation Center of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services introduced a fresh payment model for emergency ambulance services. Its goal is to enable Medicare FFS beneficiaries to access the correct level of care at the right time and location, potentially reducing their out-of-pocket expenses. These reimbursement rules ensure that ambulance services are available to the patient population, therefore driving market expansion.
• An uptick in demand for ambulance services in the region stemmed from the large population, especially the elderly who are susceptible to chronic illnesses and accidents. The ambulance services market in North America continues to be strong due to partnerships with healthcare systems, innovative care models, and community-focused improvements in the United States.

Active Key Players in the Ambulance Services Market

• American Medical Response (U.S.)
• Rural/Metro Ambulance Services (U.S.)
• Lifeline Ambulance Service (U.S.)
• MedStar Ambulance (U.S.)
• Priority Ambulance (U.S.)
• Whelen Engineering (U.S.)
• McCormick Ambulance (U.S.)
• Falcon Ambulance (U.S.)
• Western Ambulance (U.S.)
• Empress Ambulance (U.S.)
• Acadian Ambulance Service (U.S.)
• Global Medical Response (U.S.)
• Air Methods Corporation (U.S.)
• Falck (Denmark)
• British Ambulance Service (U.K.)
• Allianz Worldwide Care (Ireland)
• Ambu A/S (Denmark)
• Babcock International Group PLC (U.K.)
• London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (U.K.)
• Ambulance Victoria (Australia)
• San Juan Ambulance (Australia)
• Rao’s Ambulance Service (India)
• International SOS (Singapore)
• Emergency Medical Services (South Africa)

Key Industry Developments in the Ambulance Services Market:

• In January 2024, HEMSI merged with Huntsville Hospital Health System, creating a comprehensive ambulance service network across the Tennessee Valley. This strategic move aims to optimize resources, enhance operational efficiency, and improve service delivery in the northern end of the state. "Combining resources will enable us to make cost-effective and efficient decisions for our communities," said Jon Howell, HH Health System Emergency Services President. This merger supports the growing population of hundreds of thousands in the region.
• In February 2023, Falck announced the deployment of its first electric ambulance. This groundbreaking initiative, in collaboration with the Capital Region, marked a significant step in Falck’s green transformation of patient transport. The electric ambulance trial provided crucial insights for converting more ambulances to electricity, addressing the higher demands of emergency medical services. This innovative move demonstrated Falck’s commitment to sustainable healthcare solutions and set the stage for future advancements in eco-friendly emergency transport.