Market Overview
| Study Period | 2021 - 2032 |
|---|---|
| Forecast Data Period | 2027 - 2032 |
| Historical Data Period | 2021 - 2025 |
| Base Year Market Size (2026) | USD 345.96 Million |
| Market Size (2027) | USD 372.98 Million |
| Market Size (2032) | USD 543.23 Million |
| Growth Rate (2027 - 2032) | 7.81 % |
Major Players *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. | |
South Korea Respiratory Devices Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The South Korea Respiratory Devices Market size is projected to expand from USD 345.96 million in 2026 and USD 372.98 million in 2027 to USD 543.23 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 7.81% between 2027 and 2032.
COVID-19 has impacted the growth of the respiratory devices market in South Korea. For instance, according to an article published in Emergency Infectious Diseases in June 2021, it has been observed that seasonal viruses, with the exception of human bocavirus (HBoV), have been found to have much reduced positive rates for acute respiratory illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. In addition, as per the same source, the positivity rate of HBoV increased during the last two months of the COVID-19 pandemic in proportion to the number of COVID-19 cases. With the increased severity of COVID-19 in the country, several companies have increased their ventilator production to combat the pandemic. For instance, in April 2020, MEKICS Co. Ltd, a South Korean company, partnered with BIOLASE Inc. to supply ICU-grade portable ventilators through BIOLASE's FDA-registered manufacturing facility in California. Such partnerships have increased the production of portable ventilators in the country. Hence, the COVID-19 pandemic had a favorable impact on the market initially; currently, as the pandemic has subsided, the market has lost some traction. However, it is expected to have stable growth during the forecast period of the study.
Factors such as the rising burden of respiratory disorders such as COPD, asthma, and sleep apnea, as well as growing technological advancements and increasing application in homecare settings, are boosting the market growth.
The prevalence and incidence of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and others among the population are increasing rapidly, which is anticipated to increase the demand for respiratory devices, hence propelling market growth. For instance, according to an article published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in October 2022, it has been observed that 15.5/1,000 people are diagnosed with COPD annually in South Korea. In addition, as per the same source, the incidence rate of COPD was higher among men as compared to women. Thus, the prevalence of COPD, a serious public health issue, is expected to rise, especially in emerging countries which is anticipated to increase the demand for different respiratory devices such as inhalers, nebulizers, ventilators, and others. This, in turn, is anticipated to fuel the market growth over the forecast period.
Furthermore, the rising government activities and initiatives to donate respiratory devices to other countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic have also increased the production of respiratory devices in the country. This is also contributing to the market growth. For instance, in June 2021, the South Korean government donated 350 oxygen concentrators and 35 ventilators to help Indonesia cope with an exponential spike in COVID-19 cases. South Korea disbursed USD 4 million in funds to help Indonesia as a manifestation of cooperation to increase its capacity to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, the rising company activities are also contributing to market growth. For instance, in November 2021, HoneyNaps, a South Korea-based healthcare startup, launched its medical software that uses artificial intelligence to diagnose sleep disorders. The device is called SOMNUM, the deep learning-based analysis program that enables real-time, multi-channel, large-capacity signal analysis. It automatically provides polysomnography readings that are said to be more accurate than conventional autoscoring.
Therefore, owing to the factors such as the high burden of respiratory diseases and growing company activities in the country, the studied market is expected to grow over the forecast period. However, the high cost of devices is likely to hinder the growth of the respiratory devices market in South Korea over the forecast period.
Note: Market numbers in this report are based on Mordor Intelligence's proprietary estimation framework, which combines nine months of actuals with Q4 projections for base year 2026.
South Korea Respiratory Devices Market Trends and Insights
Ventilator Segment is Expected to Register Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
The ventilator segment is projected to record substantial growth in the respiratory devices market during the forecast period, supported by the increasing incidence of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic rhinitis, brain injuries, cardiac arrest, and stroke.
Ventilators are medical devices that provide mechanical ventilation by delivering breathable air into and out of the lungs for patients who cannot breathe independently or adequately. While modern ventilators are typically microprocessor-controlled systems, healthcare professionals can also provide ventilation using a manually operated bag-valve mask. These devices are extensively used across intensive care units, home care settings, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology. Their use in managing respiratory disorders is increasing as the prevalence of respiratory conditions continues to rise, which is expected to contribute to segment expansion.
The growing COPD burden, together with the expanding geriatric population, is anticipated to increase the need for respiratory devices and support the growth of the ventilator segment. Older adults face a higher risk of developing COPD because aging leads to structural and functional changes in the lungs. Furthermore, the need for critical care support and long-term respiratory management is likely to strengthen ventilator adoption across healthcare settings.
Therefore, the high prevalence of COPD and the growing aging population in the country are expected to drive the growth of the studied segment over the forecast period. Increased awareness of respiratory care and improvements in ventilator technology are also expected to support demand for these devices.
Disposables Segment is Expected to Have the Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
The disposables segment is expected to witness significant growth in the respiratory devices market in South Korea over the forecast period. The factors attributing to the segment growth are the increasing coronavirus and tuberculosis infection, rising demand for disposable products such as masks, breathing circuits, and others, and growing company activities.
In addition, the rising government initiatives to combat the reoccurring cases of COVID-19 in the country are anticipated to fuel the segment growth. For instance, in September 2022, the South Korean government reintroduced surgical masks to curb the spread of coronavirus infection among the population in the country. This is expected to increase the demand for masks, hence boosting segment growth.
Furthermore, the high number of tuberculosis cases in the country further raises the demand for respirators to protect against inhaled toxins, hence propelling the segment's growth. For instance, as per the 2021 data published by the World Bank, the incidence rate of tuberculosis (TB) was 44 per 100,000 people in South Korea in 2021. In addition, Gyeonggi recorded the highest number of TB cases (4,137) in 2021, followed by Seoul (3,067) and Gyeongbuk (1,368) in South Korea in 2021. Thus, the high number of TB infections in patients is expected to increase the demand for surgical masks to prevent the inhalation and spread of airborne droplet nuclei, thereby boosting segment growth.
Moreover, the rising company activities to develop various respiratory disposal items increase their availability in the market, which is also expected to augment the segment growth over the forecast period. For instance, in February 2022, Atman, a company in South Korea, launched a mask, Kosk, a two-piece PPE that covers only the nose and leaves the mouth uncovered, which helps people to eat and drink comfortably.
Therefore, owing to the factors such as increasing government initiatives and rising company activities, the studied segment is expected to grow in South Korea over the forecast period.
Competitive Landscape
The respiratory devices market consists of several major players, but South Korea still has few major players in the market. The companies are implementing certain strategic initiatives, such as mergers, new product launches, acquisitions, and partnerships, that help them strengthen their market position. The major players are Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, ResMed, Teleflex Incorporated, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, and HoneyNaps Co., Ltd., among others.
South Korea Respiratory Devices Industry Leaders
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Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
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ResMed
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Teleflex Incorporated
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Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
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HoneyNaps Co., Ltd.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- December 2022: LG launched an electronic face mask, LG Puricare Mask, in South Korea.
- May 2022: Somnics, Inc. received Korea Medical Device Registration and Approval (KFDA) for iNAP One Sleep Therapy System. In addition, the company launched its iNAP product in collaboration with LMT Korea Co. Ltd.
South Korea Respiratory Devices Market Report Scope
As per the scope of the report, respiratory devices include respiratory diagnostic devices, therapeutic devices, and breathing devices for administering long-term artificial respiration. It may also include a breathing apparatus used for resuscitation by forcing oxygen into the lungs of a person who has undergone asphyxia. The South Korean Respiratory Devices Market is segmented by Type (Diagnostic and Monitoring Devices (Spirometers, Sleep Test Devices, and Other Diagnostic and Monitoring Devices), Therapeutic Devices (Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices, Humidifiers, Nebulizers, Nebulizers, Inhalers, and Other Therapeutic Devices) and Disposables). The report offers the value (in USD million) for the above segments.
By Type
| Diagnostic and Monitoring Devices | Spirometers |
| Sleep Test Devices | |
| Other Diagnostic and Monitoring Devices | |
| Therapeutic Devices | Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices |
| Humidifiers | |
| Nebulizers | |
| Ventilators | |
| Inhalers | |
| Other Therapeutic Devices | |
| Disposables |
| By Type | Diagnostic and Monitoring Devices | Spirometers |
| Sleep Test Devices | ||
| Other Diagnostic and Monitoring Devices | ||
| Therapeutic Devices | Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices | |
| Humidifiers | ||
| Nebulizers | ||
| Ventilators | ||
| Inhalers | ||
| Other Therapeutic Devices | ||
| Disposables | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current South Korea Respiratory Devices Market size?
The South Korea Respiratory Devices Market is projected to register a CAGR of 7.81% during the forecast period (2027-2032)
Who are the key players in South Korea Respiratory Devices Market?
Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, ResMed, Teleflex Incorporated, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited and HoneyNaps Co., Ltd. are the major companies operating in the South Korea Respiratory Devices Market.
What years does this South Korea Respiratory Devices Market cover?
The report covers the South Korea Respiratory Devices Market historical market size for years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The report also forecasts the South Korea Respiratory Devices Market size for years: 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032.