Diabetic Shoes Market Trend, Share, Growth, Size and Forecast 2032

Diabetic Shoes Industry Perspective

The global diabetic shoes market was worth around USD 79.15 billion in 2023 and is estimated to grow to about USD 1123.11 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.7% over the forecast period. The report analyzes the diabetic shoes market’s drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demand during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the diabetic shoes market.

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Diabetic Shoes Market: Overview

People with diabetes may have a false sense of security in their feet as to how much at risk their feet really are. An ulcer under the foot can develop in just a couple of hours. The primary goal of diabetic shoes is to prevent complications, which can include strain, ulcers, calluses, or even amputations for patients with diabetes and poor circulation. The disease can also change the shape of a person's feet, which limits the range of shoes that can be worn comfortably. Therefore, diabetic shoes are a good alternative for such people. They are also referred to as extra depth, therapeutic shoes, or Sugar Shoes. They are often wider and deeper than regular shoes to accommodate a special multi-density supplement that is designed to reduce pressure and callouses to the bottom of the feet.

Diabetes mellitus is a persistent disease caused by acquired or is inherited as a deficiency in the assembly of insulin by the pancreas. Diabetes is classified as gestational diabetes, type 1, and type 2. Among them, type 2 diabetes is most common and is caused due to the reduction in physical activities and obesity. A person suffering from diabetes develops several complications such as ulcers, sores, loss of sensation in body parts, abscesses, and predominantly in feet. Therefore, the special design of diabetic shoes helps to protect the patient’s feet from any injuries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of now, around 150 million people have diabetes mellitus across the world and by 2025; this estimated number may double. Hence, this data represents the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus across the globe indicating the need for diabetic shoes, in turn, contributing to the growth of the global diabetic shoes market during the forecast period.

Exceptional properties of diabetic shoe aid to cure several types of the diabetic conditions such as insufficient blood circulation in body parts especially in legs, which facilitates foot pain and ulcers. The primary reason behind the growth of the diabetic shoes market is the busy lifestyle of urban people along with increased ingestion of sugar and other synthetic sweeteners. Likewise, growing geriatric population results in high incidence of diabetes, increasing cases of diabetes and rising spending on diabetes treatment is expected to fuel the global market of diabetic shoes over the forecast period. However, the expensive price of the diabetic shoes may restrain the growth of the global market growth.

Diabetic Shoes Market: Growth Dynamics

The rising prevalence of diabetes globally is expected to fuel the demand for the diabetic shoes market. The total number of individuals living with diabetes is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. Hence, increased demand for recreational diabetic shoes among diabetes patients is powering the sales in the market. As people are becoming more aware of the value of physical health, patients with diabetes and other orthopaedical problems are increasing the adoption of diabetic shoes.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the diabetic footwear market was rather negative. The supply chain commotion caused a negative impact on the market. The shutdown of manufacturing units due to lockdown restrictions also had adverse effects on the diabetic shoes market growth. European countries such as Germany, Poland, the U.K., Italy, and France are the prominent regional markets in terms of both production and consumption. These countries are most profoundly impacted by COVID-19.

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Diabetic Shoes Market: Growth Drivers

Rising prevalence of diabetes disease

The major driver for the growth of the diabetes shoes market is the aging population and the rising prevalence of the disease globally. Moreover, as people are becoming more aware and health-conscious, the market is expected to grow at a rapid rate. Additionally, the rise in the role of e-commerce and brand expansion in diabetic footwear, the rise in the research and development activities, and the increase in the technological advancements and modernization in the production techniques will further create new opportunities for the diabetic shoes market in the forecast period.

Diabetic Shoes Market: Restraints

High cost of diabetic footwear

The high cost of diabetic footwear is one of the major challenges for the industry players, which is limiting the growth of sales. In developing nations, less mindfulness about diabetic footwear and less per capita income compared to other developed nations are the major constraints against the demand for diabetic footwear. 

Diabetic Shoes Market: Segmentation

The global diabetic shoes market is segregated based on type, patient type, width, price range, end-user, and distribution channel.

By end-user, the market is segregated into men and women. Women held the majority of the diabetic footwear market share and are projected to hold a significant share in the global market during the forecast period. This is mainly due to the higher number of women diabetic patients. A rise in awareness among women about the effects of diabetes on the body, improvement in online retail penetration, and foot care among diabetic patients drive the growth of the market.

By Distribution Channel, the global market is bifurcated into online and offline. The offline distribution channel segment dominated the diabetic footwear market because the specialty store is a preferred choice by the consumers and healthcare professionals as these shoes require proper fitting and expert guidance before their use, which is difficult with online platforms.

Diabetic Shoes Market: Report Scope

Recent Developments

• In July 2021, Advanced Diabetes Supply has acquired US Medical Supply (US MED). The U.S. Medical Supply will provide glucose monitors and medical supplies to Advanced Diabetes Supply. The company is focused on setting a new standard for patient care in diabetes.

Diabetic Shoes Market: Regional Landscape

North America leads the global diabetic shoes market because of its massive aging population and large prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among the population, especially in the USA and Mexico, which eventually results in large consumption of such products in this region. Followed by it, Europe dominates the diabetic shoes market due to an increase in the obesity levels, an increase in the number of women diabetic patients worldwide, growing improvement in online retail penetration, and a rise in the per capita income in this region. The Asia Pacific market is anticipated to expand at a significant growth rate by the end of the forecast period. In the APAC region, China is a prominent diabetic shoes market consumer and an important production base.

Diabetic Shoes Market: Competitive Landscape

Some of the main competitors dominating the global Diabetic Shoes Market include

• Aetrex Worldwide, Inc.
• Podartis Srl.
• Etonic Worldwide LLC
• Dr. Comfort, LLC.
• Advance Diabetic Solution
• Apex Foot Health Industries LLC
• Dr Zen Products, Inc.
• DARCO International, Inc
• Orthofeet Inc.
• Drew Shoe Corporation.

Global Diabetic Shoes Market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Dress Shoes
• Running Shoes
• Strolling Shoes
• Others (Ambulatory Shoes, etc.)

By Patient Type

• Outpatient
• Inpatient

By Width

• Narrow
• Medium
• Wide
• Others

By Price Range

• Low
• Medium
• High

By End-user

• Men
• Women

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa