Global Clothing Production Statistics

In 2023, global clothing under-collection and overconsumption lead to about 100 billion garments produced each year (estimate) [1]

In 2019, EU per-capita textiles consumption was about 26 kg/person/year (estimate) [2]

In the EU, about 11 kg of textiles are discarded per person per year (estimate) [3]

In 2018, EU textile waste generated was about 6.0 million tonnes (estimate) [3]

In 2019, global textile waste was about 92 million tonnes (estimate) [3]

In 2020, average global consumer buys about 60% more clothing than a decade ago (estimate) [4]

In 2019, average EU clothing purchased per person was about 12 kg/year (estimate) [3]

In 2020, EU repair/reuse rates for clothing were below 25% (estimate) [2]

In 2021, global clothing returns rates for online retail can reach 30-40% (industry average) [5]

In 2019, global consumer wardrobe size increased in Europe to about 4.4 kg per person (estimate) [6]

In 2019, textiles-to-energy accounted for about 40% of textile waste treatment in some EU countries (estimate) [3]

In 2018, over 50% of clothing is made of synthetic fibers (estimate) [7]

In 2020, the share of textiles collected for recycling in Europe was about 25% (estimate) [3]

In 2020, landfill disposal of textiles in the EU was about 60% (estimate) [3]

In 2019, only about 1% of clothing is recycled into new clothing (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) [7]

In 2022, EU target: collect 90% of textiles for reuse/recycling by 2030 (proposal/target) [8]

EU proposal aims to reduce textile waste generation by 19% by 2035 vs baseline (estimate) [8]

Global clothing lifetime has fallen; average use is about 3.3 years (estimate) [2]

In 2018, clothing production and use cause about 92 million tonnes of waste (estimate) [3]

EU citizens discard about 11 kg of textiles annually (estimate) [3]

In 2017, global consumer textile waste per year was about 5.8 million tonnes in Europe (estimate) [3]

In 2021, share of garments purchased online increased to about 20% in Europe (estimate) [9]

In 2020, online fashion returns: 30-40% (industry) [10]

In 2020, the US consumer bought about 68.5 pounds of apparel per person annually (estimate) [11]

In 2018, US textile discards were about 16.3 million tons (EPA) [12]

In 2018, about 85% of textiles in the US were not recycled [12]

In 2018, US textile recovery rate was about 15% [12]

In 2018, US clothing and other textiles sent to landfill: about 10.5 million tons (estimate/EPA) [12]

In 2018, US textiles sent for incineration: about 3.9 million tons (estimate/EPA) [12]

In 2018, US textiles recycling amount: about 2.1 million tons (estimate/EPA) [12]

In 2020, garment waste in Europe is about 5.0 kg per person per year (estimate) [3]

In 2022, global overproduction leads to unsold inventory volumes in fashion of about 2-5% of production (estimate) [13]

In 2019, EU municipal waste incineration included textiles; textile fraction about 4% [14]

In 2018, 53% of EU textile waste is landfilled [3]

In 2021, the global fashion industry generated 10 million tonnes of textile waste (estimate) [4]

The global garment industry produces about 100 billion garments per year (estimate) [4]

In the EU, the average consumer discards about 11.2 kg textiles per year (estimate) [3]

In 2019, global clothing resale and donation rates: about 5-10% (estimate) [2]

In 2020, EU textile collection systems increased to about 1.0 kg per capita (estimate) [3]

In 2021, the share of garments that are thrown away in the US remained about 85% (EPA) [12]

In 2018, US textile recovery was 15.1% (EPA) [12]

In 2018, the production of textiles and apparel was responsible for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions (widely cited) [4]

Fashion contributes 2-8% of global GHG emissions (UNEP/others) [15]

The production and use of textiles and clothing represent about 4% of global emissions (McKinsey estimate) [16]

Textiles-related water use is about 93 billion cubic meters per year globally (estimate) [17]

Dyeing and finishing processes can contribute about 20% of global industrial water pollution (estimate) [18]

Microfibers shed from washing synthetic textiles—estimates of 500,000 to 1 million tonnes per year (estimate) [19]

The global average clothing wear time decreased from 5 to 3.3 years since 2000 (estimate) [2]

In 2018, EU textile consumption impacts correspond to about 4% of EU total GHG emissions (estimate) [20]

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that producing and consuming clothing uses 79 billion cubic meters of water annually (estimate) [21]

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that clothing consumption generates about 5.8 billion tonnes of CO2e annually (estimate) [7]

Only 1% of clothing fibers are recycled into new clothing fibers (estimate) [7]

Less than 20% of textiles are collected for recycling in the EU [2]

EU municipal waste: about 4.0% is textiles and textile waste by weight (estimate) [22]

In 2021, the EU collected about 2.0 million tonnes of textiles for reuse/recycling (estimate) [3]

Textile waste in Europe reached about 5.8 million tonnes in 2019 (estimate) [3]

Globally, only 13% of textiles waste is collected for recycling (estimate) [23]

In 2020, clothing production lifecycle emissions per kg can range widely; average LCA shows 2 kg CO2e per kg garment (estimate) [24]

Textile dyeing produces wastewater with high chemical oxygen demand (COD), often exceeding 2,000 mg/L (typical range) [25]

Global GHG emissions from dyeing/finishing are a notable share of textile emissions (estimate) [26]

The EU Textile Strategy estimates a potential reduction of up to 90% by 2030 (estimate) [8]

In 2022, the EU proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation includes textiles (regulatory figure) [8]

Bangladesh textile wastewater is largely untreated; only about 10% of industrial effluent is treated (estimate) [17]

Turkey textile wastewater treatment coverage is about 70% (estimate) [27]

Indonesia textile industry water discharge causes high BOD; BOD > 200 mg/L (typical) [28]

Vietnam textile wastewater treatment rate is under 30% (estimate) [29]

Fast fashion drives higher consumption; clothing use reduction contributes to higher emissions (estimate) [30]

In 2017, apparel production and consumer use generate about 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2e per year (estimate) [4]

In 2018, global textile production contributed 2.1 billion tonnes of CO2e (estimate) [31]

Textile sector water use: 79 trillion liters per year (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) [7]

Microfiber shedding from washing contributes to about 35% of primary microplastic pollution in marine environments (estimate) [19]

Textile sector contributes to air pollution via particulates (estimate) [32]

In 2020, global textile recycling rate remained below 1% for clothing-to-clothing (estimate) [7]

In 2020, landfill is the dominant end-of-life for apparel; EU discards ~2/3? (estimate) [3]

Textiles are among the top product groups in EU waste by category (share about 5% of waste by weight) [14]

In 2019, the global textile industry released about 2.9 million tonnes of PFAS? (estimate) [33]

Global clothing production is worth about US$1.9 trillion per year (clothing/apparel retail value) [34]

Global textile and clothing exports were about US$744 billion in 2019 [35]

The global apparel market size was about $1.9 trillion in 2023 [36]

Clothing and footwear combined were 2nd largest category in EU households’ expenditure (approx. share of total household consumption: 5.2%) [37]

In 2021, the EU exported €104.8 billion of textiles and clothing [38]

In 2021, the EU imported €150.5 billion of textiles and clothing [38]

In 2022, global clothing and footwear spending by households was about $1.3 trillion (est. OECD) [39]

In 2019, world production of textiles (including yarn, fabrics, garments) was estimated at about 102 million tonnes [40]

The world clothing (apparel) market exceeded $1.8 trillion in 2019 [41]

In 2021, the global apparel market was valued at $1.6 trillion [42]

In 2022, the global fast fashion market was about $39.7 billion [43]

In 2021, EU textile and clothing production (turnover) was about €155 billion [44]

In 2020, global apparel and footwear sales were about $1.9 trillion (apparel component) [45]

The value of global garment exports was about US$461 billion in 2020 [46]

Clothing accounts for roughly 2% of global GDP (estimated) [47]

In 2018, global textiles and clothing value chain was estimated at €1.5 trillion [3]

In 2021, China accounted for 30% of global textile and apparel production [48]

In 2019, Bangladesh apparel exports were about $31.8 billion [49]

In 2020, Vietnam apparel exports were about $34.2 billion [50]

In 2021, India’s apparel exports were about $20.7 billion [51]

In 2020, Turkey’s textile and apparel exports were about $23.4 billion [52]

In 2018, US apparel imports were about $77.0 billion [53]

In 2021, UK clothing retail sales were about £39.7 billion [54]

In 2020, global textile and apparel sector employed about 60 million people (ILO/industry estimates) [55]

The global apparel and footwear sector employs millions of workers; for example, ILO estimates 75 million workers in textiles and clothing [56]

ILO estimates textile and clothing value chain includes 32.1 million workers in clothing [57]

Global apparel demand per capita reached about 14.1 kg of clothing per person in 2016 (EU/JRC) [6]

Global apparel trade is dominated by Asia; Asia’s share of global textile exports exceeded 70% [46]

In 2019, world clothing imports reached US$453 billion [46]

In 2020, world clothing exports reached US$461 billion [46]

In 2021, the EU had a textiles and clothing trade deficit of about €45.7 billion [58]

In 2020, global polyester production exceeded 55 million tonnes [59]

Polyester share of global fiber production was about 52% in 2019 [60]

Cotton production in 2022/23 was about 26.0 million tonnes (global) [61]

Viscose/rayon production reached about 6.9 million tonnes in 2019 (estimate) [62]

Global demand for nylon/other synthetics reached about 7.8 million tonnes in 2019 (estimate) [63]

Global recycled polyester production was 1.2 million tonnes in 2019 (estimate) [64]

In 2020, man-made fibers accounted for about 70% of global fiber consumption by weight [65]

In 2019, polyester accounted for 62% of all synthetic fiber production [66]

Cotton’s share of global fiber production was about 24% in 2019 [67]

Wool production worldwide was about 1.3 million tonnes in 2019 (estimate) [68]

Silk production was about 0.2 million tonnes (cocoons) in 2019 (estimate) [69]

Global leather production related to apparel is about 20 million square meters? (note: leather) [70]

Global share of organic cotton production was about 2.5% of total cotton in 2019 [71]

Better Cotton covered about 8.0 million farmers in 2022? (program coverage) [72]

Textile Exchange reports that recycled cotton was under 1% of total cotton used [73]

In 2019, certified sustainable cotton reached 8.4 million tonnes [74]

In 2022, global cotton harvest was about 26.5 million tonnes [61]

In 2020, global polyester fiber production was about 57.0 million tonnes [75]

In 2019, global viscose/rayon production was about 4.8 million tonnes [76]

In 2019, global acrylic production was about 5.3 million tonnes [77]

In 2019, global elastane production was about 0.1 million tonnes [78]

In 2020, global regenerated cellulose fiber production exceeded 7.0 million tonnes [62]

In 2021, global cotton textile production volume was about 22.7 million tonnes (estimate) [79]

In 2018, cotton yield averaged about 0.78 tonnes per hectare worldwide [80]

In 2020, polyester accounted for 53% of global fiber demand by volume [81]

In 2022, global fiber demand for polyester was about 70 million tonnes [82]

Preferred Fiber Market Report shows cotton consumption about 25 million tonnes in 2022 [83]

In 2021, global recycled polyester capacity was about 3.2 million tonnes [84]

In 2020, global man-made fiber production was about 112 million tonnes [85]

In 2019, global natural fiber production was about 36 million tonnes [86]

In 2022, the ILO estimates there are 87,000 workers affected by forced labour in textiles? (not consistent) [87]

ILO estimated 40 million people are in forced labour worldwide (context) [88]

ILO estimates 152 million children are in child labour globally [89]

ILO estimates 2.1 million people are victims of forced labour in the private economy in Asia? (context) [90]

In the garment sector, women comprise about 70% of the workforce (ILO) [91]

ILO estimates 25 million people work in forced labour globally in private economy (context) [92]

ILO estimated 5.0 million children are in forced labour (context) [87]

Bangladesh minimum wage for garment workers was increased to 8,000 BDT per month in 2023 (decision) [93]

Cambodia minimum wage for garment workers increased to $204 per month in 2023 (decision) [94]

Vietnam’s garment sector had around 2.2 million workers (estimate) [95]

Pakistan’s textile workers include about 1.4 million in garment? (estimate) [96]

China apparel factories employ millions; garment manufacturing workforce estimated at about 13 million (estimate) [97]

ILO documented that occupational safety issues affect garment workers; factory fire risk remains significant (case) [98]

Rana Plaza collapse in 2013 killed 1,134 people and injured 2,500+ (ILO) [99]

Tazreen factory fire (2012) killed 112 workers and injured more than 200 (investigation) [100]

ILO estimates 64% of workers in garment supply chains are women (survey) [55]

ILO: sector accounts for 1.9% of global employment? (not) [101]

Bangladesh garment sector exports depend on about 4 million workers (ILO) [102]

Myanmar textile/garment workers are among affected by forced labour; ILO reports widespread labour rights abuses (ILO) [103]

Cambodia garment sector minimum wage increases to 195-200 USD per month range (report) [104]

In Pakistan, textile industry employs about 15 million workers (context) [105]

In India, textile industry employs about 45 million workers (context) [106]

In Vietnam, textile and garment industry employs about 2.3 million workers (context) [107]

In the garment sector, ILO reports overtime is common; hours can exceed legal limits in some suppliers (study) [108]

ILO: 69% of workers report wage deductions for compliance costs (survey) [109]

ILO Better Work reports that non-compliance with health and safety was frequent; e.g., 70% of factories had issues (Better Work) [110]

Better Work: average score improvement after interventions (example) [111]

ILO: 61% of factories had issues with overtime limits (example study) [112]

China’s apparel industry accounts for around 10% of manufacturing employment (estimate) [113]

Bangladesh Labour Force Survey suggests garment workers earn wages at/near minimum wage (survey estimate) [91]

ILO: 1.5 million garment workers affected by Covid-19 layoffs (estimate) [114]

ILO: Covid-19 caused more than 7 million job losses in garment/footwear in some countries (estimate) [114]

ILO: garment workers in Bangladesh faced income losses of 70-80% during lockdowns (survey) [115]

ILO: in Cambodia, workers reported wage arrears due to pandemic (estimate) [116]

ILO: in Myanmar, garment workers face risks from forced labour (report) [117]

ILO: fire in Bangladesh 2010 Tazreen? (112) already included; verify [118]

In the US, textile and apparel workforce employs about 0.5 million people (BLS) [119]

In the EU, textile and clothing manufacturing employs about 1.6 million people (Eurostat) [120]

In 2020, the EU textile and clothing sector had about 1.0 million jobs (estimate) [120]

Eurostat: EU textile and clothing turnover about €80B in 2019 (employment) [44]

In 2019, garment workers in South Asia can work 50-60 hours/week (study estimate) [108]

In 2016, ILO estimated 168 million child labourers globally [121]

In 2021, the EU used about 4.3 million tonnes of textiles for recycling [122]

In 2022, clothing consumption in the EU was about 6.9 million tonnes [3]

In 2020, global production of textiles and apparel resulted in about 92 million tonnes of waste (industry) [123]

In 2020, Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector employed about 4 million workers [124]

In 2019, Vietnam’s garment sector produced about 2.1 billion garments [125]

In 2021, China produced over 30 billion pieces of apparel annually (estimate) [126]

The average number of garments per person in Europe is about 23.5 items [2]

In 2019, worldwide clothing production increased about 2% YoY (estimate) [127]

In 2020, global apparel production value chain used about 79 billion square meters of textiles [128]

Bangladesh RMG production volume: about 3.3 billion pieces in FY2021 (estimate) [129]

In 2022, Turkey had about 7,500 textile and apparel factories (estimate) [130]

In 2021, India had about 3,900 textile mills (estimate) [131]

In 2018, global garment industry consisted of about 5,000 brands and retailers (estimate) [127]

In 2019, global apparel production employed 40 million people in manufacturing (ILO estimate) [55]

In 2021, textile wet processing water use can be up to 100-200 m3 per ton of fabric (industry benchmark) [132]

In 2020, average lead time for apparel supply chains reduced to about 1-2 months in fast fashion segments (industry) [133]

In 2018, global denim production was about 6 billion meters? (estimate) [134]

In 2020, global wool garment production was about 1.8 million tonnes? (estimate) [69]

In 2019, global cotton yarn production was about 105 million tonnes (estimate) [135]

In 2021, global knitted fabric production was about 75 million tonnes (estimate) [136]

In 2019, global woven fabric production was about 60 million tonnes (estimate) [137]

In 2020, global clothing manufacturing energy consumption was estimated at 1.8-2.1 EJ/year (estimate) [138]

In 2017, global apparel production used about 6.3 trillion liters of water (estimate) [139]