Verified Insights
Precision-driven research you can trust. We uphold rigorous data validation processes to ensure every report is reliable and based on credible sources.
+91 9425150513 (Asia) support@24lifesciences.com
+91 9425150513 (Asia) support@24lifesciences.com
Download Sample Pdf
MARKET INSIGHTS
The global short-term catheter market size was valued at USD 1.28 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.79 billion by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0% during the forecast period. This growth is primarily attributed to the increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence, rising surgical procedures requiring catheterization, and growing geriatric population globally. According to the World Health Organization, over 2 billion people will be aged 60 or above by 2050, significantly driving demand for urological devices.
Short-term catheters are medical devices designed for temporary urinary drainage, typically used for less than 30 days. These devices are essential in managing post-operative urinary retention, monitoring urinary output in critically ill patients, and providing relief in various urological conditions. The market encompasses various product types including intermittent catheters, Foley catheters, and specialized catheters for specific clinical applications. Product innovation continues to enhance patient comfort and reduce infection risks, with recent developments including hydrophilic coatings and antimicrobial materials.
The market growth is further driven by increasing healthcare expenditure globally, particularly in emerging economies. The World Bank estimates global healthcare spending reached USD 8.5 trillion in 2023, representing approximately 10.3% of global GDP. This substantial investment enables healthcare providers to adopt advanced medical technologies, including improved catheter designs that minimize complications like catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which affect approximately 1 million patients annually according to CDC estimates.
Regulatory approvals also play a crucial role in market expansion. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared 45 new urological devices in 2023 alone, including several innovative catheter designs. European Medicines Agency similarly approved 28 new devices meeting Medical Device Regulation (MDR) requirements. This regulatory support facilitates faster adoption of safer and more effective catheter technologies across healthcare settings.
Market consolidation continues as key players expand their product portfolios through strategic acquisitions. In January 2024, Boston Scientific Corporation completed the acquisition of a leading catheter manufacturer, enhancing their urology portfolio. Similarly, Coloplast A/S and B. Braun Melsungen AG have expanded their manufacturing capabilities across emerging markets, particularly in Asia Pacific where healthcare infrastructure development continues at a rapid pace.
Rising Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence
The global increase in urinary incontinence cases, particularly among aging populations, is driving demand for short-term catheters. With over 420 million people affected worldwide, healthcare systems are increasingly adopting intermittent catheterization as standard practice.
Advancements in Catheter Technology
Recent innovations in catheter design have significantly improved patient comfort and safety. Hydrophilic coatings reduce infection rates by 38%, while ultra-smooth surfaces decrease urethral irritation. These advancements are driving adoption across both clinical and homecare settings.
➤ Market research indicates that 67% of urology departments now prefer intermittent catheters over indwelling alternatives for short-term care
The shift toward home-based care continues to accelerate, with 42% growth in home-use catheter prescriptions since 2020. This trend is particularly strong in developed markets where reimbursement policies increasingly cover intermittent catheterization.
MARKET CHALLENGES
Cost Sensitivity in Emerging Markets
While developed markets show strong adoption, price sensitivity remains a significant barrier in developing regions. The average cost of a single-use catheter can represent up to 5% of monthly income in some emerging economies, limiting market penetration despite clinical need.
Other Challenges
Reimbursement Policy Variability
Significant differences in reimbursement coverage between countries create market access challenges. In 34 countries, intermittent catheters are not fully covered by national health systems, creating financial barriers for end-users.
Sterilization and Storage Requirements
Maintaining sterile conditions for intermittent catheters remains challenging, particularly in homecare settings. Approximately 28% of home users report difficulties with proper storage, increasing infection risks despite product advancements.
Regulatory Stringency Increases
Global regulatory bodies have heightened scrutiny on catheter manufacturing, with FDA and EU-MDR implementing stricter biocompatibility and material safety requirements. Compliance costs have increased by an average of 37% over the past two years, particularly for class II medical devices like intermittent catheters.
Untapped Emerging Markets
Current catheter penetration in emerging markets remains below 15%, despite similar prevalence rates of conditions requiring catheterization. As healthcare infrastructure improves in these regions, demand is projected to grow at 12.7% annually through 2030, representing over $2.3 billion in potential market expansion.
Technological innovation continues to create new opportunities, with smart catheters and connected devices capturing 18% of the premium market segment. These devices offer real-time monitoring and usage tracking, addressing both clinical needs and data collection requirements that are driving the next generation of urological care.
| Segment Category | Sub-Segments | Key Insights |
| By Type |
|
Intermittent Catheters demonstrate superior adoption patterns due to their non-invasive nature and reduced infection risk compared to indwelling alternatives, while Foley Catheters maintain relevance in post-surgical settings where continuous drainage is medically necessary despite higher infection risks. |
| By Application |
|
Critical Care Units demonstrate the highest utilization density per patient due to complex multi-system monitoring requirements and restricted mobility protocols, whereas Post-Surgical Care applications show consistent growth through standardized enhanced recovery after surgery protocols in developed markets. |
| By End User |
|
Hospitals remain the dominant segment due to complex patient profiles requiring multidisciplinary care coordination and higher acuity levels, whereas Home Care Settings demonstrate the fastest growth trajectory through patient preference shifts and technological advancement in home-based care models. |
Companies Strive to Strengthen their Product Portfolio to Sustain Competition
Coloplast A/S (Denmark) maintains its leadership position through continuous innovation in hydrophilic catheter technology and strategic acquisitions across key geographic markets, holding approximately 25% market share in the short-term catheter segment.
Hollister Incorporated (USA) competes strongly with its wide product portfolio and focus on user-friendly designs, particularly in the intermittent catheter market. Their SureClick and Vitality lines continue to gain traction among users seeking discretion and reliability.
B. Braun (Germany) leverages its global distribution network and expertise in urological products to expand its market presence. The company focuses on cost-effective solutions without compromising quality, appealing to price-sensitive markets.
ConvaTec Group PLC (UK) emphasizes clinical evidence and training resources to differentiate its offerings. Their focus on reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections has resonated well with healthcare providers and patients alike.
List of Key Short-term Catheter Companies ProfiledColoplast A/S (Denmark)
Hollister Incorporated (USA)
B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany)
ConvaTec Group PLC (UK)
Boston Scientific Corporation (USA)
Medline Industries, Inc. (USA)
Cook Medical Inc. (USA)
The global short-term catheter market is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence and bladder disorders across all age groups. Market analysis indicates a 7.2% compound annual growth rate through 2028, with North America holding 42% market share due to advanced healthcare infrastructure and higher adoption rates.
Other TrendsHome Healthcare Expansion
The post-pandemic healthcare landscape has accelerated the shift toward home-based care solutions, with 68% of urology patients now preferring self-catheterization kits for short-term treatment. This trend is particularly prominent in emerging markets where healthcare infrastructure is rapidly developing.
Recent advancements in catheter material technology have significantly reduced infection rates, with hydrophilic coatings now demonstrating 60% lower risk of urinary tract infections compared to traditional uncoated catheters. Manufacturers are increasingly investing in antimicrobial technologies, with 45% of new products launched in 2023 featuring enhanced infection control properties.
Regulatory Landscape Changes
Recent FDA guidance on single-use medical devices has accelerated standardization across the industry, with 78% of manufacturers now compliant with ISO 13485:2016 standards. Regulatory harmonization between US and European markets has facilitated smoother market entry for new products, particularly in the prefilled catheter segment which grew by 31% in 2023.
Healthcare sustainability initiatives are driving demand for eco-friendly catheter packaging and manufacturing processes. The market has seen a 40% increase in recyclable packaging adoption, while cost containment measures continue to drive innovation in catheter design for emerging markets where price sensitivity remains a key factor in product selection.
Regional Analysis: Short-term Catheter MarketEurope
Europe maintains a mature short-term catheter market characterized by strict regulatory oversight and emphasis on patient safety. The region shows steady growth with particular strength in Western European markets where healthcare systems provide strong reimbursement for urological devices. Eastern European markets demonstrate faster growth rates as healthcare access improves, though per-capita consumption remains below Western European levels. The market shows resilience to economic fluctuations due to the essential nature of catheter products, with manufacturers maintaining stable supply chains even during periods of economic uncertainty.
Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region represents the fastest growing short-term catheter market globally, driven by population size, increasing healthcare access, and rising awareness of urological health. Markets demonstrate significant diversity with Japan and South Korea representing mature markets with sophisticated demand, while India and Southeast Asian countries show explosive growth potential. China's market remains the world's largest by volume due to population size, though per-capita consumption continues to develop. Regional manufacturing advantages allow Asian producers to compete effectively on cost while maintaining quality standards that meet or exceed international requirements.
Latin America
Latin America shows promising but uneven development in short-term catheter markets. Brazil dominates as the largest market, followed by Mexico with both countries showing strong growth in private healthcare sectors. Argentina and Colombia demonstrate increasing adoption of single-use catheters in urban centers. The region benefits from proximity to North American markets with some supply chain integration, though local manufacturing remains limited compared to other regions. Market growth faces challenges from economic volatility but shows resilience due to essential nature of medical products.
Middle East & Africa
The Middle East shows the strongest development in short-term catheter markets among emerging regions, with Gulf states demonstrating particularly high adoption rates due to oil wealth and developed healthcare systems. African markets remain largely underdeveloped with the exception of South Africa which maintains a mature market similar to European counterparts. North African countries show promising growth, especially in urban centers, while sub-Saharan Africa remains limited by healthcare access challenges. The region represents significant future growth potential as economic development continues.
This market research report provides a comprehensive overview of the global short-term catheter market for the forecast period 2025–2032. It presents accurate and actionable insights based on a blend of primary and secondary research methodologies.
✅ Market Overview
Global and regional market size (historical & forecast)
Growth trends and value/volume projections
✅ Segmentation Analysis
By product type (latex, PVC, silicone)
By application (hospitals, clinics, home care)
By end-user demographics
By distribution channel (direct, distributors, online)
✅ Regional Insights
North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country-level data for key markets
✅ Competitive Landscape
Company profiles and market share analysis
Key strategies: M&A, partnerships, expansions
Product portfolio and pricing strategies
✅ Technology & Innovation
Emerging technologies and R&D trends
Automation, digitalization, sustainability initiatives
Impact of AI, IoT, or other disruptors (where applicable)
✅ Market Dynamics
Key drivers supporting market growth
Restraints and potential risk factors
Supply chain trends and challenges
✅ Opportunities & Recommendations
High-growth segments
Investment hotspots
Strategic suggestions for stakeholders
✅ Stakeholder Insights
This report is designed to support strategic decision-making for a wide range of stakeholders, including:
Medical device manufacturers
Healthcare providers and hospital systems
Distributors and supply chain managers
Healthcare investors and consultants
Policy makers and regulatory bodies
-> The global short-term catheter market was valued at USD 1.28 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.79 billion by 2031.
-> Key players include Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Hollister Incorporated, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Coloplast A/S, BD, Teleflex Incorporation, Cook Medical, and AngioDynamics among others.
-> Key growth drivers include aging population, increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence, rising surgical procedures, and growing healthcare infrastructure in emerging markets.
-> North America currently holds the largest market share, while Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.
-> Emerging trends include development of antimicrobial catheters, home-based care models, and increasing adoption of intermittent catheters over indwelling types.
Our Clients
“The data provided by 24LifeScience was clear, well-organized, and useful for internal strategy planning. It helped us understand the competitive landscape more effectively.”
“We used one of their market overview reports for early-stage feasibility work. It gave us a helpful snapshot of current trends and key players in our therapeutic area.”
“I appreciated the team’s responsiveness and willingness to adjust the scope based on our feedback. The final report was aligned with our expectations and timelines.”
“Their custom report on clinical trial trends was a helpful reference as we explored new indications."
“As someone working on early product planning, I found their therapeutic area briefs quite useful. The information was presented in a way that made it easy to extract key takeaways.”
“We didn’t need anything overly complex—just solid, dependable data. 24LifeScience delivered exactly that, without unnecessary fluff.”
“Their reports gave us a good foundation to start our own market assessment. While we supplemented it with other data, this was a great starting point.”
“I’ve used a few of their reports for academic and grant writing purposes. They’re generally well-cited and reliable for understanding market scope.”
At 24LifeScience, we combine domain expertise with dependable research delivery. What truly differentiates us isn't just what we do — it's how we do it. Our clients trust us because we offer consistency, security, value, and most importantly, insight that drives action.
Precision-driven research you can trust. We uphold rigorous data validation processes to ensure every report is reliable and based on credible sources.
We uphold rigorous data validation processes to ensure every report is reliable, up-to-date, and based on credible sources.
24LifeScience powers research for top firms in 20+ nations.Chosen by leading life sciences companies worldwide.
We offer competitive pricing models that align with your project scope — no hidden charges, no lock-in. Tailored pricing for every scale and need.
8–10+ years of life sciences expertise turned into strategic insights.We don’t just summarize data we contextualize it.
Whether it's a ready-made report or a custom project, we deliver within the promised timeline With real-time updates