The United States pain management drugs market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.33% from 2025 to 2030.
In the country, pain is considered one of the most common factors for which people seek medical advice. Also, lower back pain is one of the most common causes of disability in adult citizens. The growing geriatric population is also anticipated to positively impact the demand for these drugs.
In this regard, as defined by the World Bank Group, the population worldwide aged 65 and older has grown steadily. In the US, this age group has witnessed remarkable spikes over the last few years:
In 2024, the American population aged 65 and older numbered around 59 million, representing close to 18% of the total population as per America’s Health Rankings. In 2024, the World Bank estimates the world population over 65 years of age at approximately 830 million, with growth expected to continue. This age group in the U.S. is anticipated to have grown a little smaller than in 2023, reaching nearly 60 million. As of 2025, the population of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to grow from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million in 2050 (a 47% increase), and the proportion of the 65-and-older age group of the overall population is expected to grow from 17% to 23% as states by the Population Reference Bureau. This expansion is due to two main factors: firstly the aging of the baby boomer generation, the largest generational cohort in U.S. history, and increases in life expectancy.
In addition, the growing prevalence of joint pain and arthritis is also projected to amplify the demand for pain management drugs during the coming years. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, almost half of the U.S. adults who suffer from arthritis have persistent pain. Furthermore, it is projected that the number of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis will reach to around 78 million by 2040.
Furthermore, the rising prevalence of cancer is also considered as one of the driving factors for the market growth throughout the forecast period. According to the data provided by the American Cancer Society in their 2025 report, the total estimated number of new cancer cases is expected to be around 2,041,910 in both the sexes with the male gender accounting for 1,053,250 and 988,660 cases in female.
United States Pain Management Drug Market Segmentation