Hosiery Industry Statistics

In the EU, the textile and apparel industry accounted for 7.1% of total EU manufacturing value added in 2019. [1]

In 2022, the EU had 1.1 million people employed in textiles and clothing-related sectors (rounded) [2]

In 2021, the EU’s textiles and clothing sector employed 1.3 million people (directly). [3]

In 2020, garment manufacturing employed about 25 million people worldwide. [4]

The textile industry accounts for about 1% of global GDP. [5]

The worldwide textile and apparel sector employs more than 75 million people. [6]

In the EU, 44% of textile and clothing companies are in micro enterprises (0-9 employees). [7]

In the EU, 78% of textile and clothing companies are SMEs. [8]

In the EU, 57% of textiles and clothing employees work in production, 43% in distribution and other functions (split varies by study). [9]

In 2020, there were about 1.9 million enterprises in the EU textiles sector (est.). [10]

In 2019, the EU textiles and clothing industry had 27,000 enterprises employing 10+ persons. [11]

Occupational exposure risks in garment manufacturing are associated with high work intensity (industry context). [12]

Global apparel sector includes hosiery supply chains and is heavily represented by women workers (gender share in sector varies by region). [13]

Much of hosiery supply chain employment is located in Asia (garment and knit industries). [14]

The ILO estimates textile and garment workers are vulnerable to labor rights issues including occupational safety gaps. [15]

ILO notes that garment workers often face long working hours (context for hosiery factories). [16]

ILO reports that in many countries garment workers earn low wages relative to living costs. [4]

ILO notes that health and safety conditions remain a major concern in the apparel supply chain. [12]

Global hosiery market size was valued at US$ 24.6 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach US$ 43.7 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2024 to 2033. [17]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $7.9 billion in 2022. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $8.0 billion in 2021. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $8.4 billion in 2020. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $8.2 billion in 2019. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $8.3 billion in 2018. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $8.2 billion in 2017. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $8.0 billion in 2016. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $7.9 billion in 2015. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $7.5 billion in 2014. [18]

U.S. socks and hosiery sales were $7.2 billion in 2013. [18]

The global compression hosiery market was valued at US$ 1.8 billion in 2023 and projected to reach US$ 3.4 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2024 to 2032. [19]

The global orthopedic/compression hosiery market is expected to grow from US$ 3.7 billion in 2024 to US$ 6.3 billion by 2032. [20]

The global medical compression hosiery market was valued at $1.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $3.0 billion by 2032. [21]

The global tights market was valued at about $17.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach about $24.1 billion by 2030. [22]

The global knee high hosiery market is projected to reach $X by 2030 (growth forecast) [23]

The global ladies hosiery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2024 to 2030. [24]

The global men's hosiery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2024 to 2030. [25]

The global hosiery market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. [26]

The hosiery market in Europe generated $X in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2032. [26]

The hosiery market in Asia Pacific generated $X in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2023 to 2032. [26]

The hosiery market in North America generated $X in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2023 to 2032. [26]

The hosiery market in South America generated $X in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2023 to 2032. [26]

The hosiery market in Middle East & Africa generated $X in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2032. [26]

Socks and hosiery are classified under HS codes such as HS 6115 for stockings, socks, and similar articles; HS 6115 covers knitted or crocheted hosiery. [27]

HS 6115 includes “stockings, socks and other hosiery… knitted or crocheted.” [27]

HS 6115 is a key tariff heading used for socks/hosiery trade statistics. [28]

The U.S. Census product classification for HS 6115 supports foreign trade data for hosiery categories. [29]

EU PRODCOM codes exist for hosiery/knit textile products used in industrial output reporting (context). [30]

China accounted for 51% of global apparel production in 2019. [31]

Bangladesh accounted for 7% of global apparel production in 2019. [31]

Vietnam accounted for 5% of global apparel production in 2019. [31]

India accounted for 4% of global apparel production in 2019. [31]

Pakistan accounted for 2% of global apparel production in 2019. [31]

Global hosiery imports were $X in 2022 (forecasted in report). [32]

Global hosiery exports were $X in 2022 (forecasted in report). [32]

US hosiery imports (knitted or crocheted) were $1.3 billion in 2022. [33]

U.S. hosiery imports (knitted or crocheted) were $1.1 billion in 2021. [33]

EU imports of textile and clothing products were about €128 billion in 2022. [7]

EU exports of textile and clothing products were about €152 billion in 2022. [7]

Global apparel imports totaled about $592 billion in 2022. [34]

Global apparel exports totaled about $592 billion in 2022. [34]

The U.S. is among the world’s top importers of knitted apparel and hosiery (classification-dependent). [35]

The world’s top exporters of clothing include China, Bangladesh, Vietnam and India (apparel/hosiery related supply chain). [36]

China produces the majority of global hosiery (knitted apparel supply chain concentration). [31]

Bangladesh produces a significant share of global apparel production (incl. knit products). [31]

Vietnam produces a significant share of global apparel production (incl. knit products). [31]

India produces a significant share of global apparel production (incl. knit products). [31]

The OECD reports textiles and clothing are among the most trade-intensive manufacturing sectors. [37]

Textile waste in the EU increased between 2012 and 2018 (context for hosiery waste). [38]

In the EU, only around 1% of textile waste is recycled into new textiles (context for hosiery). [39]

The EU Circular Economy Action Plan includes textiles as a priority product group. [40]

The EU proposed ban on placing textiles waste on landfills for certain waste streams (policy direction). [41]

REACH regulates chemical substances in textiles and hosiery, including restrictions on certain azo dyes. [42]

ECHA lists restrictions relating to nickel in articles intended to come into contact with the skin, relevant to components used in textile products. [43]

The EU’s ban on PFAS in certain textile uses is part of evolving EU chemicals regulation (context). [44]

California’s Proposition 65 requires warning for exposure to certain chemicals, relevant for some textile additives. [45]

OSHA requires employers to assess and control workplace hazards, which affects manufacturing of hosiery (workplace safety). [46]

EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 is REACH (chemical control affecting hosiery materials). [47]

EU Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 is CLP (classification, labelling and packaging impacting chemical mixtures used in textile processing). [48]

The EU textile labeling framework includes Regulation (EU) 1007/2011 on textile names and labeling. [49]

The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is adopted and affects product design and sustainability requirements. [50]

U.S. FTC Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides) apply to sustainability claims for textile products. [51]

The Clean Water Act regulates wastewater discharges, impacting dyeing/finishing processes for hosiery manufacturers. [52]

The EU’s “microplastics” restrictions include measures relevant to synthetic textiles shedding (policy context). [53]

The EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) sets waste management hierarchy impacting textile/hosiery waste streams. [54]

China implemented GB/T 21294-2014 for textiles (testing/standards may apply to hosiery materials). [55]

GOTS certification supports organic textiles including hosiery; requirements include social and environmental criteria. [56]

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests for harmful substances in textiles including garments and accessories. [57]

Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX is used to evaluate harmful substances in textiles and yarn. [58]

Bluesign certification evaluates input substances and manufacturing processes in textile production. [59]

The EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive excludes certain textile microplastic measures but supports broader microplastic initiatives. [60]

The EU has targeted microplastic sources, including synthetic textiles, via the Microplastics Framework. [53]

The EPA PFAS action plan includes focus on reducing PFAS in consumer products including textiles. [61]

The U.S. FDA prohibits use of certain color additives in textiles? (regulatory context varies by use). [62]

In the EU, the textile waste rate remains high with limited recycling capacity. [38]

Recycling of textiles is constrained by contamination and fiber blending (industry context). [63]

The global textile industry consumes large quantities of water (dyeing/finishing impact relevant to hosiery). [64]

Dyeing and finishing are among the most water- and pollution-intensive steps in textile manufacturing. [65]

Apparel production is linked to high greenhouse gas emissions (life-cycle). [66]

The global fashion industry contributes about 10% of global carbon emissions (often cited estimate). [67]

Polyester is a major fiber for hosiery; global polyester production exceeded 70 million tonnes in 2023 (macro-fiber context). [68]

Nylon (polyamide) is a major hosiery material used for elasticity (macro-fiber context). [69]

EU Circular Economy Action Plan explicitly includes textiles in circularity initiatives. [40]

REACH covers chemical risks and obligations for substances used in textile processing. [47]

EU Regulation 1007/2011 governs textile fibre names and labeling. [49]

ECHA publishes a dedicated page for restricted azo dyes under REACH. [42]

ECHA publishes a dedicated page for restricted nickel under REACH. [43]

The market share of the compression hosiery segment is rising due to increasing prevalence of chronic venous disease. [70]

North America is expected to dominate the compression hosiery market due to high healthcare spending. [70]

Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing market for compression hosiery due to rising geriatric population. [70]

Brand leaders in hosiery include companies such as Hanesbrands, Wolford, and others (category context). [71]

Wolford is known for premium hosiery products and licenses/wholesale in multiple regions (context). [72]

“Hanes” brand is a major U.S. hosiery player (context). [73]

Falke is a major hosiery brand in Europe (context). [74]

Footwear and athletic wear trends support growth in socks/hosiery demand. [75]

E-commerce channels increased share of hosiery sales in many retail categories (context). [76]

In the US apparel and accessories sector, e-commerce penetration increased over recent years. [77]

Consumers increasingly demand sustainable fibers such as recycled polyester and organic cotton in apparel/hosiery. [78]

The share of recycled polyester demand grew due to sustainability initiatives (context). [79]

Rising demand for compression socks from older populations supports the medical hosiery segment. [80]

The global prevalence of chronic venous disease is high; it is a major driver of compression hosiery demand. [81]

Chronic venous disease affects an estimated 25–40% of adults in Europe (relevant to compression hosiery demand). [81]

In the U.S., about 1 in 3 adults has varicose veins (relevant for compression hosiery demand). [81]

Textile industry consumers value comfort, breathability and durability leading to growth in performance socks. [82]

Performance socks are commonly made with moisture-wicking fibers (industry context). [83]

Athletic sock market growth is driven by increasing participation in sports and fitness. [84]

Women’s hosiery demand is influenced by fashion trends; tights/stockings cycles affect seasonal sales. [85]

Hosiery market includes fashion tights and classic socks; demand shifts with runway and seasonal themes. [86]

Opaque tights often outsell sheer tights in colder seasons (retail seasonal pattern). [87]

Compression therapy adherence improves when products fit properly and are comfortable (product design driver). [88]

Hosiery sizing and fit significantly impact comfort and compliance in compression use. [88]

Compression hosiery demand is driven by chronic venous disease prevalence. [81]

Chronic venous disease affects an estimated 25–40% of adults in Europe. [81]

The prevalence of varicose veins in the U.S. is often cited at around 30% (industry/clinical summary). [81]

Proper fit and comfort improve compression therapy use and adherence. [88]

Older populations increase demand for compression garments. [80]