Basic Life Support Segment to Bolster Emergency Medical Services Market Growth During 2024-2031

According to our new research study on "Emergency Medical Services Market Forecast to 2031 - Global Analysis - by Type, Provider Type, Application, and Age Group " the market is expected to grow from US$ 86,146.29 million by 2031 from US$ 51,856.00 million in 2024; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% during 2024-2031. The report highlights trends prevailing in the market, and drivers and restraints pertaining to the market growth.

Emergency medical services (EMS) involve the acute care of patients. EMS, also known as ambulatory services, is a critical system that provides urgent medical care and transportation in emergencies. The primary focus of EMS is on attending to patients with injuries and emergency illnesses, such as chronic diseases, stroke, cardiac arrest, and accidents. The growing geriatric population, increasing lifestyle changes, and rising healthcare demand is surging the urgent need for effective and efficient EMS.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) factsheet 2021, CVD accounted for ~17.9 million deaths in 2019, which represents 32% of all global deaths. Notably, over 85% of these deaths were due to heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, as per the World Stroke Organization (WSO): Global Stroke Fact Sheet 2022, there are more than 12.2 million new cases of stroke globally every year, resulting in ~6.5 million deaths. Currently, over 110 million individuals worldwide have experienced a stroke. More than 60% of strokes occur in individuals under the age of 70, and 16% affect those between 15 and 49 years old. Alarmingly, one in four people over the age of 25 is expected to experience a stroke in their lifetime. In addition, the burden of stroke in Europe is expected to grow remarkably in the coming years. As per a report titled "The Burden of Stroke in Europe," the projected data indicates a 34% increase in the total number of stroke cases in the European Union during 2015-2035, as the case count is likely to reach 819,771 by 2035 from 613,148 in 2015. The rising incidence of these conditions has intensified the demand for efficient and timely EMS interventions.

According to the article titled "European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021," published in April 2021, the reported annual incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Europe is ~67-170 per 100,000 individuals. The American Heart Association has released the Heart and Stroke Statistics - 2022 Update, focusing on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the US. The report reveals that cardiac arrest remains a public health crisis, with more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring annually in the country, with ~90% of them resulting in death. This highlights the need for EMS to provide lifesaving interventions, such as defibrillation and advanced cardiovascular care, as quickly as possible to improve survival chances.

According to the WHO Noncommunicable Diseases Factsheet 2023, chronic diseases account for 41 million global deaths annually, equivalent to 74% of worldwide deaths. As per the article "Emergency Department Patients Are More Likely to Have Chronic Diseases," published in September 2022, older adults who went to the emergency department often had chronic conditions. The study examined data from 2017 to 2019 in the US, revealing that there were 107.3 million visits to emergency departments each year. Among these visits, 59.5% involved adults who had at least one chronic disease. The most common chronic conditions among patients in the emergency department were heart disease (11.4%) and substance use disorder (10.5%).

The need for prompt emergency medical intervention is increasing with the prevalence of medical emergencies, particularly chronic diseases, cardiac arrests, strokes, and other medical conditions, and drives the demand for EMS globally.

Growing Government Initiatives and Investments Is Propelling The Growth of Emergency Medical Services Market

EMS plays a critical role in providing rapid medical care during emergencies. With the rising demand for EMS due to aging populations, growing healthcare needs, and urbanization, governments worldwide are increasingly prioritizing investment in EMS to enhance public health outcomes and emergency response capabilities. Governments worldwide have recognized the importance of strengthening EMS infrastructure and have taken certain initiatives and allocated significant resources to support its growth. In countries where EMS infrastructure is often underdeveloped, the government has collaborated with private players to launch dedicated emergency ambulance services. For instance, the government of India has been supporting states in developing an integrated emergency care system through the National Health Mission (NHM), which has become synonymous with the accessible and affordable healthcare system in India. Government initiatives such as the National Ambulance Service (NAS), under the NHM, have become an integral part of the country's healthcare system as they play a significant role in bringing the patient closer to a healthcare facility. Since the introduction of NAS, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in India has expanded exponentially and geographically, evolving from a basic transport service concept to a lifesaving emergency medical transportation. Due to this, there has been an increase in the total number of ambulances from 12,000 in 2012 to 28,863 in 2023. Additionally, the 108 Medical Emergency Response Services, a public-private partnership initiative in India, provides free ambulance services and has saved the lives of over 2 million patients across 15 states and 2 union territories since its inception in August 2005. In addition, 108 Medical Emergency Response Services respond to 22,000 emergencies per day.

Several governments across the globe recognize the vital need for robust EMS to respond to medical emergencies efficiently and effectively. They have made significant investments in EMS systems to improve people's health. Government funding's are directly aimed at enhancing EMS capabilities, such as expanding the fleet of ambulances and upgrading medical equipment. For instance, in November 2023, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial backing from the government of Canada and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, delivered five ambulances to emergency medical care and disaster medicine centers in the Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. This initiative is part of a larger commitment by the UNDP and the government of Canada to bolster the resilience of healthcare services in Ukrainian communities. Following the earlier donation of 10 B-class vehicles in 2023, this latest provision of five C-class ambulances, valued at ~US$ 420,000, signifies a significant investment in the health and well-being of vulnerable populations during challenging times. These specialized ambulances function as mobile units, providing lifesaving care and advanced medical support while ensuring swift transportation for patients and effectively managing emergencies.

Similarly, in August 2024, Sumeet Facilities Limited, in partnership with SSG Matrix from Spain and the previous service operator BVG India, unveiled their plans to transform emergency medical services in India through the launch of Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) 108 Ambulance Project in Maharashtra, with a total investment of ~US$ 190.76 million (Rs 1,600 crore). This ambitious 10-year initiative introduces a cutting-edge operational model designed to enhance service efficiency and effectiveness, thereby implementing significant reforms in the healthcare sector throughout Maharashtra. This project marks the first instance in India of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) utilizing a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) model, with the service provider contributing 51% of the capital expenditure and the government providing the remaining 49%. The MEMS-108 project is poised to redefine emergency medical care by incorporating advanced medical technology, data analytics, and high-tech communication systems, ultimately improving pre-hospital health emergency services for patients in both critical and non-critical conditions.

Government investments and initiatives are vital in shaping a more efficient, responsive, and accessible EMS market globally, promoting better health outcomes and saving lives, thereby contributing to the growth of the emergency medical services market.

The Emergency Medical Services Market is segmented on the basis of type, provider type, application, age group and geography. The Emergency Medical Services Market, based on type, is segmented into basic life support, advance life support, mortuary services, patient transfer services, and others. The basic life support segment held the largest share of the Emergency Medical Services Market in 2024. Based on provider type the market is segmented into Fire-department-based EMS, Government EMS, Hospital-based EMS, Private Ambulance Service, and Other EMS Agencies. The basic life support segment held the largest share of the Emergency Medical Services Market in 2024. Based on application the market is segmented into Cardiac Care, Trauma Injuries, Respiratory Care, Oncology, and Others. Based on Age Group the market is segmented into Adults and Pediatric.

In terms of geography, the Emergency Medical Services Market is segmented into North America (US, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Rest of Asia Pacific), the Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa), and South & Central America (Brazil, Argentina, and Rest of South & Central America). North America held the largest share of the Emergency Medical Services Market in 2023. The rising demand for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is attributed to the most common causes of death in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics reported over 3 million fatalities in 2023 in the country. The leading causes of death in the US were heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries in 2023. Heart disease accounted for 680,909 deaths, an increase of 0.4% from 2019 to 2023, while cancer resulted in 613,331 deaths. Unintentional injuries, including fatal drug overdoses, claimed 222,518 lives. Additionally, stroke emerged as the fourth leading cause of death, with 162,639 fatalities in 2023. These statistics reflect the widespread need for emergency services, as people suffering from heart attacks, strokes, or injuries often require immediate EMS intervention.

The aging population also contributes to the increased demand for EMS. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the need for EMS services is expected to rise during the forecast period. Elderly individuals often suffer from multiple health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions, which require frequent emergency interventions. A large percentage of EMS calls in urban areas in the country come from individuals aged 65 and older, highlighting the growing importance of emergency medical response tailored for older adults.

The increasing number of people suffering from chronic conditions also drives the demand for EMS. According to US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data, there were 90,323 individuals on the kidney transplant waiting list in the country as of November 2024, highlighting the prevalence of chronic conditions that necessitate emergency medical interventions. Moreover, the integration of AI-based dispatch systems, telemedicine-equipped ambulances, and drone delivery for essential medical supplies (such as defibrillators and medications) is enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency medical services

RPM Holding, Lifestar Emergency Medical Services, ProTransport-1, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, AMR, Hamilton Medical AG, Aero Medical Ambulance Service, Immediate Care Medical, Falck AS, Acadian Ambulance Service, Blueheights Aviation Pvt Ltd, American Ambulance Service Inc, Spark Medical Limited, Emergency Medical Care Inc., Ambulance Victoria are among the key players in the market.

Companies operating in the Emergency Medical Services Market adopt various organic and inorganic strategies. Organic strategies mainly include product launches and product approvals. Acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships are among the inorganic growth strategies witnessed in the Emergency Medical Services Market. These growth strategies allow the market players to expand their businesses and enhance their geographic presence, thereby contributing to the overall market growth. Further, acquisition and partnership strategies help them strengthen their customer base and expand their product portfolios.

A few of the developments made by the companies operating in Emergency Medical Services Market are as follows: