Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global jeans market was valued at approximately $64.62 billion in 2022
The jeans market is expected to grow to $87.4 billion by 2030
In 2021, Levi Strauss & Co. generated net revenues of $5.76 billion
In the U.S., 96% of adults own at least one pair of jeans
The average American owns seven pairs of jeans
Levi Strauss holds approximately 12% share of the global jeans market
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for denim jeans
Men's jeans accounted for more than 50% of the global denim market share in 2022
Women's jeans are projected to witness the highest CAGR between 2023 and 2030
Denim production consumes about 1,800 gallons of water per pair of jeans
About 2 billion pairs of jeans are produced worldwide every year
North America accounted for around 28% share of the global jeans market in 2022
The e-commerce segment of jeans sales is expected to expand over 10% per year
Company Financials and Brand Performance
- In 2021, Levi Strauss & Co. generated net revenues of $5.76 billion
- Levi Strauss holds approximately 12% share of the global jeans market
- Levi's 501 Original is one of the best-selling jeans styles worldwide
- Wrangler and Lee are among the top 5 best-selling denim brands globally
- Zara, owned by Inditext, is one of the top retailers for jeans sales in Europe
- Levi’s was founded in 1853 and invented the first blue jeans in 1873
Interpretation
Nearly 150 years after inventing blue jeans, Levi Strauss still wears the crown with a $5.76 billion legacy, a 12% global market share, and a 501 style that proves denim never goes out of fashion—even with Zara, Wrangler, and Lee fighting for space in the closet.
Consumer Ownership and Usage
- In the U.S., 96% of adults own at least one pair of jeans
- The average American owns seven pairs of jeans
- 70% of jeans buyers say comfort is the top factor in purchase decisions
- 41% of U.S. consumers prefer elastic waistband jeans for added comfort
- 37% of jeans consumers rank price as the second most important factor
- The average price of a pair of jeans in the U.S. is $50.15
- More than 35% of American consumers have bought jeans through mobile apps
- About 64% of Gen Z consumers prefer distressed jeans
- Online denim returns average a rate of 30%
- 19% of female consumers wear jeans daily
- Black is the second most popular jeans color after blue, accounting for 28% of sales
- The average pair of jeans lasts approximately 3 to 5 years
- U.S. women spent an average of $165 on jeans annually in 2022
- Skinny jeans are still preferred by 28% of American women
- Globally, 12% of consumers prefer high-rise jeans
- In Spain, jeans are the most purchased clothing item after t-shirts
- 80% of millennials consider jeans a closet essential
- 34% of consumers expect personalized fit recommendations when buying jeans online
Interpretation
In a nation where the average American owns seven pairs of jeans and prioritizes comfort over cost, denim has become less a fashion statement and more a soft, stretchy symbol of cultural identity—as long as it fits, flatters, and ships with a generous return policy.
Market Size and Growth
- The global jeans market was valued at approximately $64.62 billion in 2022
- The jeans market is expected to grow to $87.4 billion by 2030
- Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for denim jeans
- Men's jeans accounted for more than 50% of the global denim market share in 2022
- Women's jeans are projected to witness the highest CAGR between 2023 and 2030
- North America accounted for around 28% share of the global jeans market in 2022
- The e-commerce segment of jeans sales is expected to expand over 10% per year
- Premium jeans (priced over $100) make up around 15% of the market
- The denim jeans market in India was valued at $3.6 billion in 2022
- India's denim market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15% through 2027
- The global stretch denim market is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2027
- Organic denim holds less than 2% market share globally
- Jeans sales in the UK retail clothing market form 10% of casual wear segment
- Fast fashion accounts for around 35% of jeans sold globally
- The global recycled denim market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% through 2028
- In 2023, online channels accounted for 27% of global jeans sales
- The global denim fabric market was valued at over $20 billion in 2022
- Bootcut is one of the fastest-growing jeans styles in 2023
- The resale denim market is projected to reach $2 billion by 2028
- Slim fit jeans account for over 32% of global men's denim sales
- Jeans sales in China grew by 11% in 2022
- Brazil is the largest jeans market in Latin America
- Faded denim styles made up 23% of total jean offerings online in 2023
- U.S. teen denim spending rose by 15% year-over-year in 2023
- EU imports of men's jeans grew by 8.4% in 2022
Interpretation
Denim may be the fabric of our lives, but with Asia rising, women outpacing men in growth, e-commerce zipping up profits, and recycled threads gaining traction, the jeans industry is proving that even the most classic blue can keep reinventing the future—with style and serious cash.
Production and Trade Practices
- About 2 billion pairs of jeans are produced worldwide every year
- China is the largest manufacturer of denim fabric globally
- About 50% of the world’s denim is produced in Asia
- The U.S. imports more jeans from Bangladesh than any other country
- Over 50% of denim jeans consumed in the EU are imported
- More than 70% of Levi's jeans are produced in factories with social and environmental standards
- Denim exports from Pakistan surpassed $800 million in 2022
- In 2022, U.S. jeans imports totaled $4.3 billion
- Denim orders dropped by 16.3% globally in Q1 2023
- The average production cost of one pair of jeans is $15.50
- Stone-washing is used in over 60% of all jeans for a worn effect
- Stretch denim contains up to 5% elastane for flexibility and comfort
- Japan is known for producing some of the highest-quality selvedge denim globally
- Most denim factories are located in Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, and Pakistan
- Rivets in jeans were patented by Levi Strauss & Jacob Davis in 1873
Interpretation
From patented rivets in 1873 to $4.3 billion in U.S. imports today, the global denim industry proves that while fashion may fade, jeans—and their complex, far-reaching supply chain—are forever stitched into the fabric of modern economies.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
- Denim production consumes about 1,800 gallons of water per pair of jeans
- Only around 1% of jeans produced are fully recyclable
- 67% of denim manufacturers surveyed plan to increase sustainable practices
- Jeans made with recycled cotton reduce water usage by over 50%
- Jeans account for nearly 10% of global cotton consumption
- 25% of jeans buyers research sustainability before purchasing
- More than 30% of jeans production involves chemically-intensive indigo dye
- 60% of cotton used in jeans is not sustainably sourced
- Laser technology can reduce water use in finishing jeans by 80%
- Denim recycling can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 29%
- Only 3% of global denim production is certified organic
- Jeans made with hemp fibers cut water usage by up to 70%
Interpretation
The jeans industry may be stylish, but behind every pair lies a water-guzzling, chemically-dyed truth—yet with only 1% fully recyclable and a mere 3% certified organic, sustainability is still more trend than transformation, even as lasers and hemp hint at cleaner cuts for fashion’s future.