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Glove Industry Statistics

Gloves grow fast: medical market 17.9B to 29.4B by 2030.

From 17.9 billion dollars in 2023 to nearly 29.4 billion dollars by 2030, the global glove industry is booming, with medical glove demand growing at an 8.6 percent CAGR and nitrile, disposable, and specialty segments pulling the market forward worldwide.

Alexander EserWritten byAlexander EserCo-Founder, Rawshot.ai
UpdatedApril 19, 2026Read14 minSources118 verified

Executive Summary

Key Takeaways

Research reviewed

Gloves grow fast: medical market 17.9B to 29.4B by 2030.

  • Global medical glove market size was valued at USD 17.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 29.4 billion by 2030

  • Demand for medical gloves is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2024 to 2030

  • Global disposable gloves market size was valued at USD 5.96 billion in 2023

  • Hartalega reported FY2023 revenue of RM 3.5 billion

  • Top glove manufacturers in Malaysia have reported year-on-year production increases after capacity expansions

  • Top glove exports from Malaysia exceeded RM 10 billion in 2023

  • OSHA requires employers to provide appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves when hazards warrant it

  • OSHA’s hazard assessment requirement: PPE must be selected based on workplace hazards

  • EU MDR classifies many medical gloves as medical devices (depending on intended use)

  • In a 2021 WHO report, it was estimated that healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of people globally each year, creating demand for gloves

  • WHO estimated that millions of healthcare workers face occupational exposure risk, increasing glove use

  • During COVID-19, WHO reported extreme increases in demand for PPE including gloves

  • In 2022, the EU’s Safety Gate reported multiple glove-related product safety alerts

  • US FDA recalls list includes glove device recalls with dates and reason codes

  • U.S. FDA’s recall database shows product recall counts by type including gloves

Section 01

Business, Costs & Worker Issues

  1. In 2022, the EU’s Safety Gate reported multiple glove-related product safety alerts [1]

  2. US FDA recalls list includes glove device recalls with dates and reason codes [2]

  3. U.S. FDA’s recall database shows product recall counts by type including gloves [3]

  4. Malaysia’s labor authority reported enforcement actions related to glove sector labor conditions [4]

  5. Verité and partners documented risks of forced labor and exploitation in glove supply chains [5]

  6. Amnesty International reported on forced labor risks in the glove sector [6]

  7. Human Rights Watch reported worker rights abuses in glove factories [7]

  8. European Commission reported human rights due diligence issues in glove supply chains (impact assessments and documents) [8]

  9. Glove manufacturers faced compliance issues; e.g., WHO/CDC emphasize infection control to reduce risk, affecting costs [9]

  10. Nitrile gloves price spikes occurred during COVID-19; market price data is tracked by commodity dashboards [10]

  11. Styrene-butadiene latex and nitrile feedstock price changes affect glove costs; rubber price changes tracked by World Bank [10]

  12. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks rubber and synthetic product input cost indices that influence glove manufacturing costs [11]

  13. Malaysia rubber latex price movements affect glove material costs; Malaysian Rubber Board publishes price information [12]

  14. Glove industry oversupply led to price drops; industry reports document declines in average selling prices [13]

  15. Surplus capacity resulted in production cutbacks; industry analyses report utilization declines [14]

  16. Company financial disclosures for glove manufacturers report gross margin impacts of latex/nitrile cost swings [15]

  17. ESG ratings for glove manufacturers reflect labor and environmental compliance; MSCI ESG ratings publish scores [16]

  18. FTSE Russell ESG ratings may report glove maker ESG scores; methodology documents include scores [17]

  19. Worker safety incidents in industrial settings increase PPE needs; ILO reports work accidents [18]

  20. Industrial accidents and diseases affect PPE demand; ILO’s 2.78 million annual deaths reference [19]

  21. Medical waste from used gloves is a disposal issue; WHO provides guidance on medical waste management [20]

  22. European Commission guideline on waste management in healthcare includes PPE waste streams such as gloves [21]

  23. Plastic and microplastic pollution concerns from disposable gloves affect regulatory pressure [22]

  24. Malaysia glove sector has been part of environmental compliance for effluent/chemicals; DOE enforcement is published through reports [23]

  25. Amnesty International estimated forced labor presence in specific glove factory contexts; for example, documented multiple workplaces and recruitment channels [6]

  26. Human Rights Watch provided estimates of impacted workers; e.g., document includes named factory evidence and number of workers interviewed [7]

  27. Verité report includes an assessment of labor risks and recommended actions [5]

  28. EU regulatory attention increases costs for compliance such as due diligence and reporting [24]

Section 02

Health Demand, Epidemiology & Use

  1. In a 2021 WHO report, it was estimated that healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of people globally each year, creating demand for gloves [25]

  2. WHO estimated that millions of healthcare workers face occupational exposure risk, increasing glove use [26]

  3. During COVID-19, WHO reported extreme increases in demand for PPE including gloves [27]

  4. WHO guidance says gloves are worn to reduce risk of exposure when providing care [9]

  5. WHO “Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)” discusses glove usage [28]

  6. CDC states standard precautions apply to all patients to prevent spread of infection, involving gloves [29]

  7. CDC “Isolation Precautions” includes gloves as part of PPE when contact with blood/body fluids is anticipated [30]

  8. A 2020 study estimated that medical glove consumption surged during the pandemic [31]

  9. A 2021 paper reported glove use levels increased substantially in healthcare due to COVID-19 [32]

  10. Waste generation from COVID-19 PPE increased due to single-use gloves [33]

  11. The U.S. CDC estimates 1.7 million HAIs occur annually in the United States, increasing glove use demand for infection prevention [34]

  12. WHO estimated 1 in 10 patients in hospitals in developed countries and 1 in 3 in developing countries are affected by health care-associated infections [35]

  13. WHO estimates hand hygiene can help prevent HAIs, with glove use as part of PPE [36]

  14. Global surgical procedures volumes increased, increasing surgical glove consumption; WHO global surgery estimates are referenced in surgical demand [37]

  15. WHO “Global Health Observatory” provides surgery indicators, which correlate with surgical glove usage [38]

  16. Global dental care activity increases exam glove demand; WHO dental indicator sources show outpatient service demand [39]

  17. Industrial glove use increases due to occupational injury prevention needs; ILO occupational safety data indicates injury rates [40]

  18. ILO estimates 2.78 million people die each year from work-related accidents and diseases, driving PPE glove adoption [19]

  19. WHO guidance: gloves are for single use and should be changed between patients and procedures [9]

  20. WHO “Clean care is safer care” includes glove changing between tasks and patients [41]

  21. During COVID-19, shortages led to substitution/modified glove practices; WHO reported on PPE shortages [42]

  22. ILO estimates 4% of all workers experience non-fatal workplace injuries annually, increasing glove PPE demand [19]

  23. CDC estimates HAIs occur in 1 out of 31 hospital patients in acute care facilities, increasing infection-control glove use [43]

  24. WHO estimates at any given time, hundreds of millions are affected by infection prevention needs, supporting glove use [44]

Section 03

Market Size & Growth

  1. Global medical glove market size was valued at USD 17.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 29.4 billion by 2030 [45]

  2. Demand for medical gloves is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2024 to 2030 [45]

  3. Global disposable gloves market size was valued at USD 5.96 billion in 2023 [46]

  4. Disposable gloves market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2024 to 2030 [46]

  5. The global nitrile gloves market size was valued at USD 6.6 billion in 2023 [47]

  6. Nitrile gloves market is expected to reach USD 12.1 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 9.2% from 2024 to 2030 [47]

  7. The global latex gloves market size was valued at USD 3.4 billion in 2023 [48]

  8. Latex gloves market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2024 to 2030 [48]

  9. The global vinyl gloves market size was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2023 [49]

  10. Vinyl gloves market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2030 [49]

  11. The global industrial gloves market size was valued at USD 9.8 billion in 2023 [50]

  12. Industrial gloves market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2030 [50]

  13. The global rubber gloves market size was valued at USD 17.5 billion in 2023 [51]

  14. Rubber gloves market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2024 to 2030 [51]

  15. The global specialty gloves market size was valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2023 [52]

  16. Specialty gloves market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030 [52]

  17. In 2023, the medical glove market in North America accounted for about 34% of the global market [45]

  18. In 2023, Asia Pacific was the largest regional market for medical gloves, accounting for about 40% of global market share [45]

  19. In 2023, the surgical glove segment accounted for about 43% of the global medical glove market [45]

  20. In 2023, the examination glove segment accounted for about 57% of the global medical glove market [45]

  21. The global medical gloves market was valued at USD 16.1 billion in 2020 [53]

  22. The global medical gloves market is projected to reach USD 29.2 billion by 2029 [53]

  23. Fortune Business Insights forecasts the medical gloves market will expand at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2022 to 2029 [53]

  24. The global nitrile gloves market size was USD 5.9 billion in 2022 [54]

  25. The global nitrile gloves market is projected to reach USD 14.7 billion by 2029 [54]

  26. Fortune Business Insights forecasts the nitrile gloves market to grow at a CAGR of 14.4% from 2022 to 2029 [54]

  27. The global latex gloves market size was USD 3.5 billion in 2022 [55]

  28. The global latex gloves market is projected to reach USD 5.4 billion by 2029 [55]

  29. Fortune Business Insights forecasts the latex gloves market to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2022 to 2029 [55]

  30. The global vinyl gloves market size was USD 1.7 billion in 2022 [56]

  31. The global vinyl gloves market is projected to reach USD 3.2 billion by 2029 [56]

  32. Fortune Business Insights forecasts the vinyl gloves market to grow at a CAGR of 9.0% from 2022 to 2029 [56]

  33. The global industrial gloves market size was USD 9.8 billion in 2022 [57]

  34. The global industrial gloves market is projected to reach USD 16.1 billion by 2029 [57]

  35. Fortune Business Insights forecasts the industrial gloves market to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2022 to 2029 [57]

  36. The global specialty gloves market size was USD 2.4 billion in 2022 [58]

  37. The global specialty gloves market is projected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2029 [58]

  38. Fortune Business Insights forecasts the specialty gloves market to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2022 to 2029 [58]

  39. In 2023, global medical glove demand (units) exceeded 350 billion pairs [59]

  40. In 2024, global medical glove demand is expected to exceed 370 billion pairs [60]

  41. The World Health Organization recommends that healthcare workers should wear gloves when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated items [9]

Section 04

Production, Trade & Supply Chain

  1. Hartalega reported FY2023 revenue of RM 3.5 billion [61]

  2. Top glove manufacturers in Malaysia have reported year-on-year production increases after capacity expansions [62]

  3. Top glove exports from Malaysia exceeded RM 10 billion in 2023 [63]

  4. Pakistan import of gloves increased to 2020 levels [64]

  5. UN Comtrade data: HS code 4015 (gloves, mittens and mitt) global exports totaled USD 10.9B in 2022 [65]

  6. UN Comtrade data: HS code 4015 (gloves, mittens and mitt) global imports totaled USD 10.7B in 2022 [66]

  7. UN Comtrade data: HS code 4015 exports from Malaysia totaled USD 2.4B in 2022 [67]

  8. UN Comtrade data: HS code 4015 imports into the United States totaled USD 1.1B in 2022 [68]

  9. UN Comtrade data: HS code 4015 imports into Germany totaled USD 0.4B in 2022 [69]

  10. UN Comtrade data: HS code 4015 exports from Thailand totaled USD 0.9B in 2022 [70]

  11. UN Comtrade data: HS code 4015 exports from China totaled USD 2.7B in 2022 [71]

  12. USITC DataWeb shows HS 4015.11 imports increased from 2019 to 2021 [72]

  13. EU tariff code 4015 “gloves, mittens and mitts” is used for trade tracking [73]

  14. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority highlights that Malaysia is one of the world’s largest glove producers [74]

  15. Malaysia exported around 80 billion medical gloves in 2022 [75]

  16. Malaysia exported 90 billion medical gloves in 2023 [76]

  17. In 2023, glove production capacity in Malaysia was estimated at about 300 billion gloves per year [77]

  18. In 2024, Malaysia glove sector capacity utilization was reported around 70% [78]

  19. UN Comtrade: Malaysia HS 4015 exports to the United States were USD 0.5B in 2022 [79]

  20. UN Comtrade: Malaysia HS 4015 exports to Germany were USD 0.1B in 2022 [80]

  21. UN Comtrade: China HS 4015 exports to the United States were USD 0.6B in 2022 [81]

  22. UN Comtrade: Thailand HS 4015 exports to the United States were USD 0.2B in 2022 [82]

  23. Rubber glove production in Malaysia is dominated by latex and nitrile blends [83]

  24. The global nitrile butadiene rubber feedstock is used heavily for nitrile glove production [84]

  25. In 2022, China produced about 1.9 million metric tons of nitrile rubber [85]

  26. Indonesia is a latex source country; latex production was about 3.2 million metric tons in 2022 [86]

  27. Thailand latex production was about 3.7 million metric tons in 2022 [86]

  28. Vietnam latex production was about 0.8 million metric tons in 2022 [86]

  29. Global latex production exceeded 13 million metric tons in 2022 [86]

  30. FAO data for “natural rubber, production (primary)” includes latex/rubber used for gloves [87]

  31. In 2023, the EU Rapid Alert System for non-food products logged multiple glove-related alerts [88]

  32. Global exports of HS 4015 “gloves, mittens and mitt” increased between 2021 and 2022 as shown in UN Comtrade time series [89]

  33. Global imports of HS 4015 increased between 2021 and 2022 as shown in UN Comtrade time series [90]

  34. Global exports of HS 4015 were USD 10.4B in 2021 [89]

  35. Global imports of HS 4015 were USD 10.1B in 2021 [90]

Section 05

Standards, Regulation & Safety

  1. OSHA requires employers to provide appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves when hazards warrant it [91]

  2. OSHA’s hazard assessment requirement: PPE must be selected based on workplace hazards [91]

  3. EU MDR classifies many medical gloves as medical devices (depending on intended use) [92]

  4. ISO 13485 is the medical devices quality management systems standard, often used by glove manufacturers [93]

  5. ASTM D6319 specifies standard test methods for nitrile gloves [94]

  6. ASTM D6978 provides standard test method for determining the mass of gloves [95]

  7. EN 455 covers medical gloves for single use, including requirements and testing [96]

  8. EN 455-1 includes requirements for freedom from holes [97]

  9. EN 455-2 covers physical properties of materials [98]

  10. EN 455-3 addresses biological evaluation [99]

  11. EN 455-4 covers shelf life [100]

  12. EN ISO 374-1 sets performance requirements for chemical resistant gloves [101]

  13. EN ISO 374-2 specifies resistance to penetration by chemicals and permeation test requirements [101]

  14. EN ISO 374-3 addresses resistance to permeation by chemicals for selection of chemicals and exposure [101]

  15. ASTM F739 is used for testing surgical glove puncture resistance (air leak) [102]

  16. ASTM D3578 is a test standard for butyl and nitrile gloves resistance [103]

  17. USP <87> and <88> are often referenced for bioburden and endotoxin testing relevant to medical products including gloves [104]

  18. WHO “Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care” emphasize hand hygiene to prevent transmission; glove use is supplementary [105]

  19. WHO states glove use does not replace hand hygiene [105]

  20. WHO “My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene” includes glove use and hand cleaning steps [106]

  21. WHO recommends wearing gloves when cleaning blood or body fluids in healthcare settings [9]

  22. CDC infection control guidance includes PPE use including gloves as part of standard precautions [107]

  23. CDC states gloves should be changed when torn or when switching tasks [108]

  24. CDC emphasizes correct doffing to prevent contamination [108]

  25. FDA regulates medical gloves as medical devices depending on intended use [109]

  26. FDA’s 510(k) submissions include glove devices where appropriate [110]

  27. Data for compliance and penetration testing for chemical resistant gloves is specified by EN ISO 374-1, which uses the term “AQL” and performance classes [101]

  28. EN ISO 374-1 defines glove performance levels for permeation/penetration [101]

  29. ASTM F739 specifies testing for air leak (pin-hole) for surgical gloves [102]

  30. ASTM F1671 covers penetration resistance for protective gloves [111]

  31. ASTM F2992 is for determining chemical resistance for protective gloves (standard test) [112]

  32. ANSI/ISEA 105 defines glove classifications for cut resistance [113]

  33. ANSI/ISEA 105 cut resistance uses performance levels from A to F [113]

  34. EN 388 specifies performance requirements for mechanical risks including abrasion, cut, tear, puncture [114]

  35. EN 388 includes a “X” rating for puncture resistance and numeric ratings for other tests [114]

  36. EN 407 specifies glove requirements for thermal hazards [115]

  37. EN 511 specifies glove requirements for cold hazards [116]

  38. EN 421 specifies glove requirements for radiation and protection [117]

  39. Nitrile gloves require compliance with EN 455 medical glove standards for single-use medical gloves [118]

References

Footnotes

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    ec.europa.eu×4
  2. 2
    fda.gov
    fda.gov×4
  3. 4
    mohr.gov.my
    mohr.gov.my
  4. 5
    verite.org
    verite.org
  5. 6
    amnesty.org
    amnesty.org
  6. 7
    hrw.org
    hrw.org
  7. 9
    who.int
    who.int×17
  8. 10
    worldbank.org
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  9. 11
    bls.gov
    bls.gov
  10. 12
    lgm.gov.my
    lgm.gov.my
  11. 13
    ihsmarkit.com
    ihsmarkit.com
  12. 14
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    spglobal.com
  13. 15
    klsescreener.com
    klsescreener.com
  14. 16
    msci.com
    msci.com
  15. 17
    lseg.com
    lseg.com
  16. 18
    ilo.org
    ilo.org×3
  17. 21
    environment.ec.europa.eu
    environment.ec.europa.eu
  18. 22
    eea.europa.eu
    eea.europa.eu
  19. 23
    doe.gov.my
    doe.gov.my
  20. 24
    eur-lex.europa.eu
    eur-lex.europa.eu×2
  21. 29
    cdc.gov
    cdc.gov×6
  22. 31
    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov×2
  23. 45
    grandviewresearch.com
    grandviewresearch.com×8
  24. 53
    fortunebusinessinsights.com
    fortunebusinessinsights.com×6
  25. 59
    respiratoryguidance.com
    respiratoryguidance.com×2
  26. 61
    hartalega.com
    hartalega.com
  27. 62
    bursamalaysia.com
    bursamalaysia.com
  28. 63
    malaysia.gov.my
    malaysia.gov.my
  29. 64
    trade.gov
    trade.gov
  30. 65
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    comtradeplus.un.org×13
  31. 72
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  32. 74
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  33. 75
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  34. 76
    theedgeconglomerates.com
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  35. 77
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  36. 78
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    theborneopost.com
  37. 83
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  38. 84
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  39. 85
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    chemicals-technology.com
  40. 86
    fao.org
    fao.org×2
  41. 91
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    osha.gov
  42. 93
    iso.org
    iso.org×6
  43. 94
    astm.org
    astm.org×6
  44. 96
    standards.iteh.ai
    standards.iteh.ai×6
  45. 104
    usp.org
    usp.org
  46. 113
    isea.org
    isea.org

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