Current Scenario of the Global Textile Industry:
The global textile industry is dynamic, influenced by technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences and sustainability demands, playing a vital role in the global economy. It encompasses the production, design, and distribution of fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finished garments. Currently, the industry is characterized by increasing demand for sustainable practices, driven by consumer awareness and regulatory policies. Key players are adopting eco-friendly materials and production methods to reduce environmental impact.
The global textile industry was estimated at around US$920 billion in 2018, and it is projected to reach approximately US$1230 billion by 2025, representing a steady compound annual growth rate of nearly 5% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing demand across diverse applications, including fashion, home textiles, and technical textiles. The Asia-Pacific region leads the market, with countries like China, India, and Bangladesh acting as global manufacturing hubs due to their cost advantages and extensive production capacities.
On the basis of raw material, cotton dominated the textile market, with a value of US$378.6 billion in 2019 owing to its properties, such as high absorbency and strength. In terms of volume, polyester accounted for a share of 28.0% in 2019 and is expected to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period owing to its properties, such as excellent shrink resistance and high strength. Fashion and clothing emerged as the largest application segment, with a value of US$712.3 billion in 2019 owing to the rapid rise in consumer spending on apparel and clothing.
China is currently the world’s largest textile producer and exporter of both raw textiles and garments, accounting for over half of the global textile output every year. Low cost and vast labor availability, reduced commercial barriers and strong material supply are few of the competitive advantages the country offers for the textile manufacturing industry. Regarding material supply, China produced about 79 billion meters of cloth in 2017 alone and 5.99 million metric tons of cotton in 2017/2018.
India is another one of the world’s largest textile-producing countries and largest textile exporter. It holds an export value of more than US$30 billion a year. India is responsible for more than 6.9% of the world’s total textile production, and its textile industry is valued at approximately US$150 billion. India is the second-largest textile producer in the world in terms of production volume. The Indian textiles industry, currently estimated at around US$150 billion, is expected to reach US$250 billion by 2019. According to the latest report from IBEF, India’s textiles industry contributed 7% of the industry output (in value terms) of India in 2018–2019. It contributed two per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of India and employs more than 45 million people in 2018–2019. The sector contributed 15% to the export earnings of India in 2018–2019.
The United States is the leading producer and exporter of raw cotton, while also being the top importer of raw textiles and garments. The US ranked on the third place in the list of world’s largest textile producing countries. According to the recent report from the US National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), the total value of US man-made fiber and filament, textile, and apparel shipments totaled an estimated US$76.8 billion in 2018; this is an uptick from the US$73 billion in output in 2017. Due to its productivity, flexibility and innovation, the US continues to be one of the largest textile producers in the world.
Over the recent years, many other developing countries are also gaining immense growth in their textile industries as their investment into the textile or garment industry increases. Countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, as well as a number of South American countries, have also seen considerable growth in their textile output in recent years. As China moves towards a service-based economy and labor prices continue to rise, it is expected that more and more international buyers and investors will shift their business focus to these fast-evolving markets in the near future.
The total textile production of the top 10 countries in terms of percentage in global share and export value is given in Table below.
Table: Top 10 countries in terms of percentage in global share and export value
| Rank | Textile Output in Global Share (%) 2019 | Textile Export Value (US$ billions) 2018 | ||
| Country | Textile Output in the Global Share | Country | Export Value | |
| 1 | China | 52.2% | China | 118.5 |
| 2 | India | 6.9% | EU | 74.0 |
| 3 | United States | 5.3% | India | 18.1 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 3.6% | US | 13.8 |
| 5 | Brazil | 2.4% | Turkey | 11.9 |
| 6 | Indonesia | 2.4% | South Korea | 9.8 |
| 7 | Turkey | 1.9% | Taiwan | 9.2 |
| 8 | South Korea | 1.8% | Vietnam | 8.3 |
| 9 | Thailand | 1.1% | Pakistan | 8.0 |
| 10 | Mexico | 0.9% | Hong Kong | 7.4 |
China, ranked first in textile production in the world, contributes 52.2% of global textile output. China produced about 79 billion meters of cloth in 2017. India is the second-largest textile producer in the world in terms of production volume, with a 6.9% global share. The US ranked third in the list of the world’s largest textile-producing countries, with a 5.3% global share. Pakistan, with 3.6% global share, stands fourth; Brazil, with 2.4%, stands fifth; and Indonesia, with 2.4%, stands sixth in global contribution of textiles.
Future Trends of Global Textile Industry:
Looking ahead, the future of the textile industry will be shaped by innovation and sustainability. Smart textiles and wearable technology are expected to revolutionize the market by integrating functionalities like health monitoring and connectivity.
One of the major global textile industry trends that have been witnessed is the rising demand for nonwoven fabrics, mainly driven by the downstream industries, such as the personal care, packaging, automotive and constructions sectors. Nonwoven fabrics are raw materials for producing hygiene and personal care products, such as baby diapers, sanitary napkins and adult incontinence. In the construction industry, nonwoven fabrics are used in road building in the form of geotextiles to increase the durability of roads; the automobile industry also manufactures a large number of exterior and interior parts using nonwoven fabrics. With the rising demand caused by the extensive applications in the downstream industries, the nonwoven segment is expected to witness a faster growth rate among the global textile industry over the next few years.
The rising application of smart textile products, owing to the miniaturization of electronic components and the use of conductive materials, is expected to drive product demand. Technological innovation in terms of the development of new upholstery products derived from coated fabrics and spider silk is expected to open new market opportunities in the near future.
Conclusion:
The global textile industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by consumer preferences, technological progress, and environmental imperatives. The integration of smart textiles, sustainable materials, and digital tools will redefine industry practices, offering solutions to current challenges and creating new possibilities. As the industry embraces these changes, collaboration among stakeholders will be key to ensuring a resilient, transparent, and eco-friendly future for textiles worldwide.
References:
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