South Korea Incontinence Care Products Market Overview, 2030

South Korea's incontinence care products market is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by rapid aging and changing healthcare practices. The increasing elderly population is leading to higher instances of age-related urinary incontinence and related disorders such as neurogenic bladder and post-stroke complications. South Korea also has one of the highest rates of hospital access and specialist consultations in the OECD, which supports greater diagnosis and treatment of incontinence issues. Unlike many other Asian countries, South Korea has a well-developed long-term care insurance system (LTCI), covering products for eligible elderly individuals with mobility and bladder control issues. These reimbursements have improved both the affordability and accessibility of incontinence solutions. Additionally, hospital discharge policies that emphasize home-based care for chronic illnesses have increased household demand for incontinence products. The role of pharmacists and home-care nurses is particularly important in product recommendation and purchase, especially for first-time users. Major domestic brands as well as foreign manufacturers have entered the market with region-specific products, such as ultra-thin adult diapers suitable for hot and humid weather or antimicrobial layered pads suitable for post-surgery use. Retail availability through convenience stores, large supermarkets like E-Mart, and e-commerce platforms such as Coupang has further improved last-mile access. The overall approach to elderly care in South Korea, characterized by a mix of formal care infrastructure and strong family involvement, has created a diverse consumer base.

According to the research report ""South Korea Incontinence Care Products Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the South Korea Incontinence Care Products market was valued at more than USD 240 Million in 2025. Several healthcare and societal developments are accelerating the uptake of incontinence care products solutions across South Korea. Increasing public health awareness and digital engagement have played pivotal roles in enhancing product visibility. Government-supported platforms such as HealthiN and My Healthway have included bladder health and senior wellness in their outreach, indirectly driving interest in incontinence products. The country’s high internet penetration and smartphone usage are enabling elderly individuals and caregivers to access online content, compare product features, and purchase discreetly through digital marketplaces. Another key contributor is South Korea’s extensive medical infrastructure. High rates of urology and gynecology consultations allow earlier diagnosis and patient education. This trend is reinforced by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) policies that subsidize basic incontinence aids for chronic illness and disability cases, increasing affordability among fixed-income elderly patients. Furthermore, the post-pandemic focus on hygiene and infection control has elevated awareness about urinary health, especially among patients recovering from COVID-19 with lingering mobility issues. For women, rising cases of stress incontinence post childbirth or during menopause have prompted increased consultation with OB-GYNs, many of whom actively recommend incontinence pads or liners. Aesthetic concerns and product discretion are also influencing innovation ultra-slim, skin-friendly materials with odor control are gaining traction. Additionally, social media and product review blogs targeted at caregivers have become important in shaping purchase behavior, with many family caregivers sharing product feedback and usage tips. Large players such as Yuhan Kimberly and overseas brands like TENA are offering tailored solutions including gender-specific fits and subscription delivery services, helping consumers build brand loyalty.

Absorbent products dominate the South Korean incontinence care products space, with rapid adoption driven by their practicality and strong presence in both medical and consumer channels. Adult briefs and pant-style diapers are widely used in hospitals, elderly care centers, and increasingly in home settings where mobility support is limited. The popularity of these items is strongly tied to the country's structured post-discharge care system, where doctors and home-visit nurses prescribe or recommend absorbent items for elderly patients recovering from surgeries or strokes. These products are often purchased through hospital pharmacies or caregiver apps that allow for direct-to-home delivery. Innovation in this segment has focused on increasing skin breathability and lowering bulk without compromising absorbency, addressing the discomfort often associated with long-term use. Absorbent underpads are also common in long-term care settings to prevent bedding contamination. Fastest growth is seen in pant-style products designed for ambulatory elderly users who still retain partial mobility and prefer discreet protection for outings or short travel. The expansion of telemedicine consultations has helped increase recommendations of such products by physicians across non-metropolitan regions. By contrast, non-absorbent solutions like urinals, clamps, and sheaths are primarily used in clinical or severely immobile patient scenarios. Their adoption is limited due to the higher requirement of medical supervision and caregiver support for proper usage. Most of these products are either hospital-issued or imported, and not commonly found in retail stores.

Disposable incontinence products are widely preferred in South Korea, owing to a combination of convenience, hygiene standards, and strong availability across medical and retail channels. The country's healthcare policies encourage the use of disposable items to reduce infection risks, especially among immunocompromised elderly patients. In hospitals and care facilities, disposable diapers and pads are part of standard post-operative care kits. Home-care providers also prefer disposable solutions as they ease caregiver workload and ensure a consistent hygiene level. Urban consumers, particularly in cities like Seoul and Incheon, are highly responsive to innovations in quick-drying and anti-leak materials. These improvements have made daily use of disposable items more acceptable among ambulatory users. A growing portion of online sales comes from bundled subscriptions offering discounted rates and doorstep delivery, which appeals to busy caregivers. Eco-consciousness, while increasing in South Korea, has yet to significantly alter purchasing behavior in this category, though brands are introducing biodegradable options to address this shift. On the other hand, reusable products such as washable absorbent underwear or cloth padsare mainly marketed as economical or environmentally friendly alternatives. These are mostly adopted in rural regions or among households facing prolonged caregiving situations with budget constraints. However, uptake remains limited due to inconvenience related to washing and drying, especially during South Korea’s humid monsoon seasons. Health experts often discourage reuse due to concerns about residual moisture and skin irritation. As a result, reusable options are not widely promoted by hospital staff or professional caregivers. Market presence is primarily through niche eco-stores or online forums, with minimal shelf presence in mainstream retail outlets.

In South Korea, women represent the primary demographic utilizing incontinence care products products, with usage spread across a range of age groups. A major contributor to female product demand is the high rate of childbirth-related pelvic issues, including stress incontinence, which often emerges after multiple pregnancies or complicated deliveries. OB-GYN clinics frequently advise young and middle-aged women to use protective liners or pads during physical activity, particularly in cases where pelvic floor rehabilitation is ongoing. Additionally, menopausal women experiencing urge incontinence form another significant consumer group. Aesthetic preferences among Korean women also influence product design, with a preference for slim, skin-colored options that blend with everyday clothing. Product uptake is particularly strong in Seoul, Daejeon, and Gwangju, where women’s health awareness programs and wellness clinics offer regular screenings. Meanwhile, men are increasingly entering the consumer base, driven largely by urology consultations for prostate-related conditions. Surgical procedures such as transurethral resection and radical prostatectomy often result in temporary or permanent incontinence, for which post-operative kits include male guards or sheath systems. Growth among male users is currently faster than among females, especially in metropolitan hospitals where standardized discharge planning includes recommendations for male-specific aids. Digital pharmacies and men’s health portals have made it easier for this segment to research and procure suitable products. Still, cultural stigma around male incontinence remains more pronounced, particularly in older generations, where disclosure is rare and care often deferred. Family caregivers often spouses play a crucial role in initiating the use of products among elderly men. Efforts by urology societies to normalize bladder health discussions are ongoing, with limited yet growing visibility in public health campaigns and men’s wellness expos.

The majority of incontinence product consumption in South Korea occurs within home-care environments, where families manage the bulk of elderly care. This trend has intensified with the national government promoting aging-in-place policies, and the expansion of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) that supports elderly home management over institutionalization. Home-based usage is especially prevalent among patients discharged after orthopedic surgeries, stroke rehabilitation, or advanced diabetes treatment. Caregivers, including family members and part-time professional nurses, prioritize product convenience, leakage control, and skin protection especially when patients are bedridden. Fast-moving consumer channels like online shopping apps and medical supply shops fulfill most of this demand. Subscriptions and caregiver loyalty programs have improved repeat purchase rates. While hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers are critical in introducing patients to incontinence solutions, usage in these settings tends to be short-term, primarily post-surgery or during ICU stays. Hospitals typically procure incontinence kits in bulk, favoring mid-range disposable briefs and underpads due to cost constraints. Some large medical centers in Seoul and Daegu have started to include customized sizing for elderly and post-partum patients, reflecting growing sensitivity to patient comfort. Other end users include nursing homes, dementia care centers, and hospice facilities, especially those located in suburban Gyeonggi-do and rural Jeolla provinces. These institutions usually purchase through B2B distributors or tenders and rely on brand familiarity, performance consistency, and budget alignment when selecting products. Occupational therapists and geriatric physicians in these centers often influence product selection, particularly for residents with severe mobility limitations or dual-diagnosis cases.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Incontinence Products Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Absorbents
• Non-absorbents

By Usage
• Disposable
• Reusable

By Gender
• Female
• Male

By End User
• Home-based Patients
• Hospitals & Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)
• Other End Users Show more