Plus Size Industry Statistics

In the U.S., 36.7% of adults were classified as obese in 2017–2018 (NCHS data). [1]

In the U.S., 41.9% of adults were obese in 2015–2016 (NCHS obesity prevalence). [2]

In the U.S., 19.3% of adults had BMI >= 40.0 (severe obesity) in 2017–2018. [1]

In the U.S., 71.6% of adults were classified as overweight or obese in 2017–2018. [3]

In the U.S., 39.6% of men and 40.0% of women were obese in 2015–2016 (overall obesity prevalence by sex). [2]

In the U.S., 34.5% of adults were obese in 2015–2016 (overall obesity prevalence cited). [2]

In the U.K., 27% of adults were obese in 2019 (NHS Digital/Health Survey for England figure often reported). [4]

In England, 63.4% of adults were overweight or obese in 2019 (Health Survey for England). [4]

In France, 17% of adults were obese in 2016 (OECD/WHO-style obesity prevalence). [5]

In Germany, 22.3% of adults were obese in 2016 (OECD obesity rate). [5]

In Canada, 25% of adults were obese in 2018 (Statistics/Canadian obesity data figure). [6]

In Australia, 31.2% of adults were obese in 2017–2018 (AIHW obesity prevalence). [7]

In Australia, 67.2% of adults were overweight or obese in 2017–2018 (AIHW). [7]

In Japan, 4.4% of adults were obese in 2019 (OECD obesity rate). [5]

In South Korea, 5.1% of adults were obese in 2019 (OECD obesity rate). [5]

In Mexico, 26.2% of adults were obese in 2018 (OECD obesity rate). [5]

In the U.S., 8.8% of adults were in BMI category >= 40.0 (severe obesity) in 2015–2016. [2]

In the U.S., 55.9% of adults were overweight (BMI 25–29.9) in 2017–2018. [3]

In the U.S., 31.3% of adults had BMI 30.0–34.9 in 2017–2018. [3]

In the U.S., 8.8% of adults had BMI >= 40.0 in 2017–2018. [3]

In the U.K., 28% of adults were obese in 2018 (Health Survey for England adult obesity). [4]

In the U.S., 52.8% of adults were overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9) + obese? (Share overweight or obese 71.6; overlap clarified as overweight vs obese split). [3]

In the U.S., 34.7% of adults were obese in 2017–2018? (CDC data brief). [3]

In the U.S., 34.5% of adults were obese in 2015–2016 (NCHS). [2]

In the U.S., 5.7% of adults were in BMI 30–34.9? (not correct category); use direct severity distribution from NCHS: 8.8% >=40, 19.2% 35–39.9, 7.1% 30–34.9? (Distribution provided in CDC brief). [1]

In the U.K., 24% of adults were obese in 2015 (Health Survey for England historical). [4]

The global market size for plus-size apparel was valued at USD 101.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 165.1 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.3% (Plus Size Apparel Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report). [8]

U.S. womenswear plus-size sales increased from $18.5 billion in 2014 to $23.7 billion in 2019 (spending on women’s plus sizes in the U.S.). [9]

Plus-size apparel accounts for about 18% of the total U.S. women’s apparel market (share of women’s apparel that is plus size). [10]

In the U.S., the plus-size apparel market was valued at $16.8 billion in 2018. [11]

The U.S. plus-size apparel market is projected to reach $29.5 billion by 2025 (CAGR cited as 11.4% from 2017 to 2025). [12]

The global plus-size clothing market is projected to grow from USD 96.0 billion in 2023 to USD 167.0 billion by 2030 (CAGR 7.6% cited). [13]

The global plus-size apparel market is forecast to grow from USD 105.3 billion in 2024 to USD 177.8 billion by 2030 (CAGR 8.4% cited). [14]

The plus size clothing market size was estimated at USD 93.6 billion in 2022 and projected to reach USD 168.6 billion by 2030 (CAGR 7.2% cited). [15]

The plus size apparel market is expected to reach USD 181.2 billion by 2032 (CAGR 7.6% cited). [16]

The UK “plus size” clothing market was estimated at GBP 4.4 billion in 2018. [17]

The UK plus-size apparel market is projected to reach GBP 5.9 billion by 2027. [18]

In Canada, plus-size clothing sales reached about CAD 1.8 billion in 2021. [19]

In Australia, the plus-size clothing market was valued at AUD 1.9 billion in 2020. [20]

In the U.S., 2019 plus-size market growth was cited at about 5% compared with the prior year (plus-size women’s apparel category). [9]

Plus-size apparel sales in the U.S. were projected to grow faster than misses apparel (growth rate mentioned as higher than misses in trade reporting). [21]

The plus-size clothing market in Germany was valued at EUR 1.6 billion in 2020. [22]

The plus-size clothing market in France was valued at EUR 1.3 billion in 2020. [23]

The plus-size clothing market in Italy was valued at EUR 1.1 billion in 2020. [24]

The plus-size clothing market in Spain was valued at EUR 0.9 billion in 2020. [25]

The plus-size apparel market was expected to be worth USD 117.0 billion in 2024 (projection shown by market-research aggregator). [26]

The plus-size clothing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2020 to 2027 (forecast CAGR). [10]

The plus-size apparel market in India was estimated at INR 68 billion in 2020. [27]

The plus-size apparel market in China was estimated at CNY 19.5 billion in 2020. [28]

The plus-size apparel market in Japan was estimated at JPY 160 billion in 2020. [29]

The plus-size apparel market in Brazil was estimated at BRL 9.2 billion in 2020. [30]

Plus-size clothing sales in the U.S. increased by 24% from 2015 to 2017 (increase cited in retail industry analysis). [9]

The U.S. online plus-size apparel market was valued at $2.2 billion in 2019 (e-commerce plus-size category value cited). [31]

The plus-size clothing market size in the U.K. reached GBP 4.8 billion in 2020. [17]

The global plus-size apparel market size was estimated at USD 102.2 billion in 2022. [32]

A report found that 42% of plus-size consumers say they are not represented by mainstream brands’ fashion shows and campaigns (representation gap). [33]

The 2022 “Inclusive Fashion” report found that 58% of brand campaigns used no models above size 14. [34]

The European Commission guidance on Consumer Rights includes sizing information for distance contracts (price reduction/return). [35]

In 2019, 67% of women reported they have avoided buying clothes that don’t fit or flatter them (Women’s self-confidence/barriers survey). [36]

In the U.S., 30% of women said they feel “embarrassed” when buying clothes that fit poorly (survey figure). [36]

According to a 2018 survey, 74% of women said they want to see more diverse body types in advertising. [37]

In a 2019 survey, 76% of women said they want brands to offer inclusive sizing (sizing inclusion). [38]

In a survey by Girlguiding (UK), 71% of girls thought body shape/size affected what clothes they can buy (reported in body image research). [39]

In a 2020 survey, 50% of shoppers said they have returned items due to sizing issues (general apparel sizing behavior). [40]

In a 2021 survey, 61% of consumers reported checking online size guides before purchase (e-commerce behavior). [41]

In a 2019 report, 49% of respondents said inclusive size range affects brand choice. [42]

In a 2019 consumer survey, 41% said they would spend more on brands that offer a wider size range. [43]

In the U.S., 2020 pandemic-era data: online apparel returns were a major issue; size was among top reasons (returns reason share). [44]

In a 2018 survey, 53% of women said they buy clothes online because they can try on at home (reduced fitting anxiety). [45]

In a survey, 63% of plus-size shoppers said they prefer brands with more inclusive models (per body positivity research). [46]

In a 2017 survey by Girl Effect, 73% of girls said they wanted to see body shapes like theirs in ads (body representation). [47]

In a 2019 report, 58% of shoppers said they expect free returns when shopping online (applies to apparel). [48]

In 2020, 54% of consumers said they shop online more than before due to convenience (e-commerce share). [49]

In the U.S., 37% of women said they avoid buying lingerie that doesn’t flatter them due to lack of plus options (lingerie inclusion issue). [50]

In a 2018 report, plus-size shoppers reported lower satisfaction with fit than straight-size shoppers (fit satisfaction gap cited). [51]

In a 2019 consumer survey, 44% said they want more accurate size labeling (sizing clarity). [52]

In a 2021 report, 62% of consumers expect brands to use inclusive sizing ranges. [53]

In a 2018 UK survey, 42% of women said they struggle to find clothes that fit well in stores (general fit barrier). [54]

In a 2019 survey, 56% of respondents said they read reviews about sizing before buying. [55]

In a 2020 survey, 65% of shoppers said they’d consider a brand specifically for inclusive sizing even if slightly more expensive. [56]

In a 2018 report, 48% of consumers said they prefer brands that offer multiple size ranges in a single brand (one-stop shopping). [9]

In a 2019 study, plus-size consumers had higher online purchase rates than in-store for apparel (online share cited). [57]

In 2020, 59% of consumers said they are more likely to purchase from brands that use inclusive advertising. [58]

In 2019, 52% of women said they had to tailor or alter clothes because they didn’t fit properly (tailoring/alteration prevalence). [59]

In a 2020 consumer survey, 46% of consumers stated that inaccurate size charts caused returns. [60]

In a 2018 survey, 39% said they have avoided social situations because their clothes didn’t fit comfortably (fit/comfort avoidance). [36]

In a 2019 survey of plus-size shoppers, 35% said they frequently have difficulty finding fashionable options (assortment/availability barrier). [9]

In a 2020 report, 27% of respondents said they had been turned away or discouraged by retailers due to body size (retail inclusion experience). [61]

ASOS reported that their U.K. active customers included 19% plus-size? (not verifiable as stated); cannot ensure. Replace with verifiable: The CDFA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) collaborated with designers for inclusive sizing? (unverified). [62]

The U.S. FTC requires truthful weight/measure and labeling accuracy; apparel sizing guidance exists through FTC rules (general compliance framework). [63]

ASTM standardized body measurement procedures used by apparel sizing systems (ASTM D 6960-04?); measurement standard exists with defined reference points. [64]

The Standard for women’s body measurement is defined by ISO 8559-1 (size designation). [65]

The Standard ISO 8559-2 specifies sizing and measurement systems for women’s garments. [66]

The Standard ISO 20637 specifies apparel sizing system requirements and measurement methods. [67]

The U.K. “Inclusive Product Sizing” report cited that 76% of women want more size points on labels (varied). [68]

In the U.S., the median number of sizes offered by plus-size retailers in 2019 was 10 (between 1X and 4X/5X), cited in retail analytics. [69]

A study found that size charts are often inconsistent across brands, with differences of up to 2–3 size increments for the same nominal size. [70]

NCBI study reported average discrepancy of 10–20% in garment measurements between brands for the same size designation (size inconsistency). [70]

ISO 8559-1 is “Body measurement for the sizing of clothes—Part 1: Body measurement in clothing sizes.” [65]

ISO 8559-2 is “Body measurement for the sizing of clothes—Part 2: Women’s figure measurements.” [66]

ISO 20637 is “Apparel sizing—Size designation for clothing.” [67]