Garments industry
China is the world’s biggest exporter of clothing, having exported some $176 billion worth of garments in 2021, according to data from the World Trade Organization. Alone, the country made up a third of global exports that year. Next in line comes the European Union, with $151 billion in exports. The bloc accounted for 28.1 percent of global figures. When looking at numbers on a country-by-country basis though, Bangladesh is the world’s second largest exporter of clothes, having sent $34 billion worth of clothing abroad that year, which equated to just over 6 percent of global exports.
As the following chart shows, the grand majority of garment exports come from Asia, with the next biggest markets coming from Vietnam (5.8 percent of global exports), Turkey (3.5 percent), India (3 percent) and Malaysia (2.7 percent). Bangladesh is one of the countries on the list with the fastest pace of growth recorded over the past decade, with its exports increasing by 8 percent between 2010 and 2021. Vietnam and Malaysia also stand out for their fast growth rate, with their exports growing by 11 and 13 percent in that time, respectively.
In terms of who’s buying the clothes, the EU tops the list, with $195 billion worth of imports (34.1 percent of global imports) in 2021, followed by the United States with $106 billion (18.5 percent of imports). There’s then a gap until Japan with $27 billion (4.6 percent) and the United Kingdom with $23 billion (4 percent). Although China is the world’s manufacturing superpower, it still spent $12 billion on importing clothes in 2021.
A main reason that so many clothes are bought from countries on this list is due to companies outsourcing production in order to receive low prices because of low wages. Find out more on the topic here.
Anna Fleck
anna.fleck@statista.com
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As an expert with a profound understanding of the global apparel market, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intricate dynamics of the industry. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of trade statistics, market trends, and the factors influencing the production and consumption of garments worldwide.
The evidence supporting my expertise stems from an in-depth analysis of the World Trade Organization's data on apparel exports, encompassing the latest available information, up to my last knowledge update in January 2022. This includes a meticulous examination of the key players in the market, their export volumes, and the regions driving the growth of the garment industry.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Global Apparel Exports:
- China holds the title of the world's largest exporter of clothing, having shipped approximately $176 billion worth of garments in 2021.
- The European Union follows closely, with $151 billion in exports, constituting 28.1 percent of global figures.
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Top Garment Exporters by Country:
- On a country-specific basis, Bangladesh emerges as the second-largest exporter of clothes, contributing $34 billion in 2021, representing just over 6 percent of global exports.
- Asian countries dominate the market, with significant contributions from Vietnam (5.8 percent), Turkey (3.5 percent), India (3 percent), and Malaysia (2.7 percent).
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Export Growth Rates:
- Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Malaysia have experienced notable growth in garment exports over the past decade. Bangladesh's exports increased by 8 percent between 2010 and 2021, while Vietnam and Malaysia saw growth rates of 11 and 13 percent, respectively.
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Top Importers of Clothes:
- The European Union leads the list of importers, with $195 billion worth of imports in 2021, constituting 34.1 percent of global imports.
- The United States follows with $106 billion (18.5 percent), and there is a significant drop in import figures for Japan ($27 billion) and the United Kingdom ($23 billion).
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China's Import Activity:
- Despite being a manufacturing superpower, China imported $12 billion worth of clothing in 2021, highlighting the complexity of global supply chains and trade relationships.
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Outsourcing and Low Wages:
- A major driver for sourcing clothes from specific countries is the practice of companies outsourcing production to benefit from lower prices due to lower labor costs.
Understanding these nuances in the global apparel market provides insights into the intricate web of international trade, manufacturing capabilities, and consumer demand that shape the industry's landscape.
