China was the world’s leading consumer of footwear, with around 3.93 billion pairs of shoes bought in 2022. It is of little surprise that China tops the list of footwear consumers as it had the highest number of inhabitants on the planet as of 2021. In fact, the leading countries in terms of footwear consumption mirrored the most populated countries worldwide.
What is footwear?
Most people have a collection of footwear to meet various criteria and needs. As well as everyday casual wear, many consumers have footwear for playing sport, formal shoes, or shoes for dressing up for social events. Footwear products are commonly made of leather, textile, and a range of synthetic materials.
Who are the leading footwear producers in the world?
China led the world in footwear production in 2021 , with a total of approximately 12 billion pairs of shoes produced. China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia are leaders in footwear production, which highlights the domination of the Asia Pacific (APAC) region in this industry. These countries accounted for over 75 percent of footwear production worldwide as of 2021.
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Footwear Consumption in China (Evidence of Expertise): China's position as the world's leading consumer of footwear in 2022, with approximately 3.93 billion pairs bought, is a testament to its immense population size. As of 2021, China had the highest number of inhabitants globally. This correlation between population size and footwear consumption reflects a pattern observed across the most populous countries.
Definition of Footwear: Footwear encompasses a diverse range of products that serve various purposes. Beyond everyday casual wear, consumers have distinct footwear for specific activities such as sports, formal occasions, or social events. The materials used in manufacturing footwear include leather, textile, and various synthetic materials.
Leading Footwear Producers Worldwide: In 2021, China emerged as the leading global footwear producer, manufacturing approximately 12 billion pairs of shoes. The noteworthy players in footwear production are not limited to China; India, Vietnam, and Indonesia also stand out. These four countries collectively contribute to over 75 percent of the world's footwear production, underscoring the dominance of the Asia Pacific (APAC) region in the global footwear industry.
This dominance can be attributed to several factors, including cost-effective manufacturing capabilities, a skilled labor force, and the presence of established footwear manufacturing ecosystems. The interplay of these elements has positioned the APAC region as the epicenter of global footwear production.
In summary, China's dual role as the leading consumer and producer of footwear, coupled with the prominence of other APAC nations in production, underscores the region's pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of the global footwear industry.
