Foley catheters are medical tubes inserted into the urinary bladder through the urethra to drain urine. They are widely used to treat or prevent complications related to urinary retention or incontinence in patients undergoing surgical procedures or suffering from neurological diseases. The increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence around the world is a key factor driving the demand for foley catheters. Urinary incontinence affects nearly 550 million people globally and its incidence is rising steadily owing to ageing population and obesity. Foley catheters offer an effective means of managing urinary incontinence and improving quality of life of affected patients.

The global foley catheters market is estimated to be valued at US$ 1.64 billion in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030.

Key Takeaways

Key players operating in the Foley catheters are C.R. Bard, Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, Medtronic, Inc., ConvaTec, Inc., Medline Industries, Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Create Medic Co. Ltd., Fuji Systems Corporation, and Cook Medical Group, Inc. These players are focusing on new product launches and expansion of regional presence to strengthen their market position. For instance, in 2021, Teleflex Incorporated launched the Evive Foley Catheter Claiming to offer maximum protection against infection.

The rising geriatric population susceptible to urological disorders represents a major growth opportunity for players in the foley catheters market. According to the United Nations, the population aged 60 years and above is expected to double to nearly 2.1 billion by 2050 from the current level of 1.1 billion. This large elderly demographic will drive the demand for long-term urological care devices including foley catheters.

North America currently dominates the global foley catheters market owing to high healthcare expenditures and availability of advanced medical technologies. However, players are focusing on expanding their presence in emerging regions of Asia Pacific and Latin America. This is due to rapidly growing healthcare infrastructure, increasing medical tourism, and rising incidence of chronic kidney diseases and diabetes in these regions propelling the demand for urological care products.

Market Drivers

Increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence is a major factor driving the foley catheters market. As per the National Association for Incontinence, urinary incontinence affects nearly 25 million Americans with women more prone than men. This large patient pool relies on catheters to effectively manage urinary leakage leading to market growth.

Growing geriatric population is another key growth driver. Older people suffer from limited mobility and higher risk of neurological disorders increasing the chances of urinary retention requiring catheterization. As per the United Nations, the global population aged 60 years and above will reach nearly 2.1 billion by 2050 from 1 billion in 2020 thereby augmenting catheter demand.

Market Restraints

Risk of infections associated with long-term catheter use can hamper market expansion to some extent. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections or CAUTIs are common leading to patient reluctance and regulatory compliance issues for manufacturers. However, industry is addressing this challenge through development of antimicrobial coatings to minimize bacterial adherence and hence infection risk.

Preference of alternative treatment options also poses a challenge. For transient urinary retention, medications are generally preferred over catheters. Likewise, for stress urinary incontinence, pelvic floor exercises and surgery are viable alternatives limiting consistent catheter demand. Innovation towards less invasive solutions would help address this restraint.

Segment Analysis
The Foley catheters market can be segmented based on product type, material, application, end-users, and geography. Based on product type, the 2-way catheters segment dominates the market as they allow the drainage of urine and accurate monitoring of urine output. They prevent infection and discomfort to patients by providing continuous drainage of urine from the bladder. By material, the silicone segment holds the largest share owing to silicone providing increased patient comfort, less encrustation and infection risks. Based on application, the urinary incontinence segment accounts for the highest revenue due to the growing geriatric population and rising prevalence of urinary disorders. Hospitals end-use is the major segment as Foley catheters are majorly used post-surgeries and for patients needing long-term catheterization.

Global Analysis
North America enjoys the lion's share in the global Foley catheters market and is expected to continue dominating over the forecast period. This is attributed to the growing geriatric population suffering from urinary disorders in the US and Canada and increasing healthcare expenditure in the region. Factors such as the rising number of urological surgeries and the strong presence of leading market players are also propelling the North America market. The Asia Pacific market is predicted to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The increasing accessibility of modern healthcare facilities and surgical procedures coupled with growing medical tourism are fueling the APAC market growth. China, India, and Japan stand as significant emerging markets in this region.