GITNUXREPORT 2026

Glove Industry Statistics

The disposable glove market is large and growing globally, led by medical demand and production in Asia.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

North America consumes 25% of global medical gloves despite producing less than 5%.

Statistic 2

Healthcare sector drives 60% of disposable gloves demand worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 3

U.S. annual glove consumption per capita is 200 pairs, highest globally.

Statistic 4

Food processing industry uses 15 billion gloves annually across Europe.

Statistic 5

Post-COVID, non-medical glove demand grew 12% YoY for hygiene purposes.

Statistic 6

Automotive sector consumes 8% of industrial gloves, or 2.5 billion pairs yearly.

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China’s domestic glove consumption reached 40 billion units in 2022.

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70% of gloves used in U.S. hospitals are nitrile due to latex allergies.

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Global demand for cut-resistant gloves surged 18% in construction by 2023.

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E-commerce packaging gloves usage increased 25% from 2020-2023.

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Japan’s elderly care sector demands 1 billion medical gloves yearly.

Statistic 12

Lab and cleanroom gloves consumption totals 5 billion units globally.

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Sports gloves demand peaks at 3 billion pairs for baseball/softball alone.

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Middle East oil & gas sector uses 500 million chemical-resistant gloves pa.

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Recycling facilities demand 2 billion heavy-duty gloves annually.

Statistic 16

Fashion gloves market sees 10% rise in winter demand in Europe.

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Veterinary clinics consume 300 million exam gloves per year worldwide.

Statistic 18

Demand for touchscreen-compatible gloves grew 35% since 2020.

Statistic 19

Glove industry employs 650,000 workers directly in Malaysia alone.

Statistic 20

Global glove sector supports 2.5 million jobs across supply chain as of 2023.

Statistic 21

U.S. glove manufacturing employs 15,000 workers, generating USD 1.2 billion wages.

Statistic 22

Thai glove industry contributes 2% to national GDP, employing 100,000.

Statistic 23

Women comprise 75% of glove factory workforce in SE Asia.

Statistic 24

Average wage in Malaysian glove factories: MYR 2,500/month in 2023.

Statistic 25

Industry generated USD 20 billion in economic value added globally 2022.

Statistic 26

Vietnam glove sector created 50,000 new jobs since 2020 expansion.

Statistic 27

EU glove-related employment: 200,000 in manufacturing and distribution.

Statistic 28

Tax revenue from glove exports in Malaysia: USD 1.5 billion annually.

Statistic 29

40% of glove workers trained in safety, reducing injury rates by 25%.

Statistic 30

Indian glove industry employs 40,000, contributing INR 10,000 crore to economy.

Statistic 31

Global supply chain supports 1 million indirect jobs in logistics.

Statistic 32

Productivity per worker in top factories: 10,000 gloves/day.

Statistic 33

Economic multiplier effect of glove industry: 2.8x per USD invested.

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The global gloves market size was valued at USD 22.46 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2030.

Statistic 35

In 2023, the disposable gloves segment accounted for over 55% of the global gloves market revenue.

Statistic 36

The Asia-Pacific region dominated the gloves market with a 42% share in 2022, driven by manufacturing hubs in Malaysia and Thailand.

Statistic 37

Protective gloves market projected to reach USD 28.5 billion by 2027, growing at 7.2% CAGR due to safety regulations.

Statistic 38

Medical gloves market valued at USD 12.3 billion in 2021, expected to hit USD 20.1 billion by 2028 at 7.5% CAGR.

Statistic 39

Nitrile gloves demand surged 300% during COVID-19 peak in 2020, boosting overall market growth to 15% YoY.

Statistic 40

Industrial gloves segment to grow from USD 8.2 billion in 2023 to USD 12.9 billion by 2030 at 6.7% CAGR.

Statistic 41

U.S. gloves market reached USD 4.5 billion in 2022, with 8% growth projected through 2025.

Statistic 42

Latex gloves market size was USD 4.8 billion in 2022, declining slightly due to allergies but stabilizing at 4% CAGR.

Statistic 43

Europe gloves market valued at EUR 5.2 billion in 2023, growing at 5.9% CAGR to 2030.

Statistic 44

Global work gloves market to expand from USD 10.1 billion in 2022 to USD 15.4 billion by 2030.

Statistic 45

Disposable medical gloves production capacity increased by 25% globally post-2020 pandemic.

Statistic 46

Malaysia produces 65% of the world's nitrile gloves, with over 50 billion pairs annually as of 2023.

Statistic 47

Top 10 glove manufacturers control 70% of global latex glove production capacity.

Statistic 48

Annual production of surgical gloves worldwide exceeds 100 billion units in 2023.

Statistic 49

Thailand's glove factories output 20 billion pairs yearly, focusing on examination gloves.

Statistic 50

Automation in glove dipping lines increased production efficiency by 40% in leading factories by 2022.

Statistic 51

China accounts for 30% of global industrial glove manufacturing output.

Statistic 52

Recycled material usage in glove production rose to 15% in eco-friendly lines by 2023.

Statistic 53

Average production cost per 1000 nitrile gloves dropped 20% from 2019 to 2023 due to scale.

Statistic 54

Vietnam's glove production capacity doubled to 15 billion pairs per year since 2020.

Statistic 55

Powder-free glove manufacturing now constitutes 90% of total medical glove production.

Statistic 56

Leading factories operate 24/7 with 120 dipping lines producing 1.5 million gloves per line daily.

Statistic 57

Synthetic rubber consumption for gloves reached 1.2 million tons in 2022 globally.

Statistic 58

Glove defect rates reduced to under 1.5% through AQL testing standards in 2023 production.

Statistic 59

India's glove manufacturing capacity stands at 5 billion pieces annually as of 2023.

Statistic 60

U.S. domestic glove production is only 2% of consumption, relying on imports.

Statistic 61

Biodegradable glove production pilots reached 500 million units in 2023 trials.

Statistic 62

Glove formers usage totals 2 billion units replaced yearly in manufacturing.

Statistic 63

Energy consumption per million gloves produced averages 500 kWh in modern plants.

Statistic 64

U.S. imports 98% of its gloves, totaling USD 3.2 billion in value 2022.

Statistic 65

Malaysia exported USD 8.5 billion worth of gloves in 2022, 70% to U.S./EU.

Statistic 66

Global glove trade volume hit 150 billion units in 2023.

Statistic 67

Thailand glove exports grew 15% YoY to USD 4.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 68

EU imported 45 billion gloves from Asia in 2022, valued at EUR 2.8 billion.

Statistic 69

U.S. nitrile glove imports from Malaysia alone: 50 billion pairs in 2022.

Statistic 70

China's glove exports declined 10% in 2023 due to capacity shifts.

Statistic 71

Vietnam glove exports reached USD 2.1 billion, up 50% since 2021.

Statistic 72

India imposed 20% import duty on medical gloves to boost local production.

Statistic 73

Brazil imported 1.5 billion gloves from Asia in 2022 amid shortages.

Statistic 74

Top export markets for rubber gloves: U.S. (35%), Germany (12%), UK (10%).

Statistic 75

Global tariff on gloves averages 5-10%, impacting 20% of trade value.

Statistic 76

Canada glove imports totaled CAD 1.2 billion in 2023, 90% from SE Asia.

Statistic 77

Australia banned certain glove imports failing standards, reducing volume 15%.

Statistic 78

Mexico glove trade balance deficit: USD 800 million in 2022.

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As our world grows more health-conscious and safety-oriented, a simple yet essential item drives a multi-billion dollar global engine, where a single Malaysian factory might produce over a million and a half gloves a day.

Key Takeaways

The global gloves market size was valued at USD 22.46 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2030.
In 2023, the disposable gloves segment accounted for over 55% of the global gloves market revenue.
The Asia-Pacific region dominated the gloves market with a 42% share in 2022, driven by manufacturing hubs in Malaysia and Thailand.
Disposable medical gloves production capacity increased by 25% globally post-2020 pandemic.
Malaysia produces 65% of the world's nitrile gloves, with over 50 billion pairs annually as of 2023.
Top 10 glove manufacturers control 70% of global latex glove production capacity.
North America consumes 25% of global medical gloves despite producing less than 5%.
Healthcare sector drives 60% of disposable gloves demand worldwide in 2023.
U.S. annual glove consumption per capita is 200 pairs, highest globally.
U.S. imports 98% of its gloves, totaling USD 3.2 billion in value 2022.
Malaysia exported USD 8.5 billion worth of gloves in 2022, 70% to U.S./EU.
Global glove trade volume hit 150 billion units in 2023.
Glove industry employs 650,000 workers directly in Malaysia alone.
Global glove sector supports 2.5 million jobs across supply chain as of 2023.
U.S. glove manufacturing employs 15,000 workers, generating USD 1.2 billion wages.

The disposable glove market is large and growing globally, led by medical demand and production in Asia.

Consumption & Demand

North America consumes 25% of global medical gloves despite producing less than 5%.
Healthcare sector drives 60% of disposable gloves demand worldwide in 2023.
U.S. annual glove consumption per capita is 200 pairs, highest globally.
Food processing industry uses 15 billion gloves annually across Europe.
Post-COVID, non-medical glove demand grew 12% YoY for hygiene purposes.
Automotive sector consumes 8% of industrial gloves, or 2.5 billion pairs yearly.
China’s domestic glove consumption reached 40 billion units in 2022.
70% of gloves used in U.S. hospitals are nitrile due to latex allergies.
Global demand for cut-resistant gloves surged 18% in construction by 2023.
E-commerce packaging gloves usage increased 25% from 2020-2023.
Japan’s elderly care sector demands 1 billion medical gloves yearly.
Lab and cleanroom gloves consumption totals 5 billion units globally.
Sports gloves demand peaks at 3 billion pairs for baseball/softball alone.
Middle East oil & gas sector uses 500 million chemical-resistant gloves pa.
Recycling facilities demand 2 billion heavy-duty gloves annually.
Fashion gloves market sees 10% rise in winter demand in Europe.
Veterinary clinics consume 300 million exam gloves per year worldwide.
Demand for touchscreen-compatible gloves grew 35% since 2020.

Consumption & Demand Interpretation

The world's hands are increasingly sheathed in a thin layer of necessity—from America's clinics to China's factories—proving that modern life, in all its messy and high-tech forms, is now almost universally touchless.

Employment & Economic Impact

Glove industry employs 650,000 workers directly in Malaysia alone.
Global glove sector supports 2.5 million jobs across supply chain as of 2023.
U.S. glove manufacturing employs 15,000 workers, generating USD 1.2 billion wages.
Thai glove industry contributes 2% to national GDP, employing 100,000.
Women comprise 75% of glove factory workforce in SE Asia.
Average wage in Malaysian glove factories: MYR 2,500/month in 2023.
Industry generated USD 20 billion in economic value added globally 2022.
Vietnam glove sector created 50,000 new jobs since 2020 expansion.
EU glove-related employment: 200,000 in manufacturing and distribution.
Tax revenue from glove exports in Malaysia: USD 1.5 billion annually.
40% of glove workers trained in safety, reducing injury rates by 25%.
Indian glove industry employs 40,000, contributing INR 10,000 crore to economy.
Global supply chain supports 1 million indirect jobs in logistics.
Productivity per worker in top factories: 10,000 gloves/day.
Economic multiplier effect of glove industry: 2.8x per USD invested.

Employment & Economic Impact Interpretation

Behind every sterile pair of gloves lies a surprisingly robust, woman-powered economic engine, stitching together millions of livelihoods and billions in value across continents, proving that essential global safety often comes hand-in-hand with local economic security.

Market Size & Growth

The global gloves market size was valued at USD 22.46 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2030.
In 2023, the disposable gloves segment accounted for over 55% of the global gloves market revenue.
The Asia-Pacific region dominated the gloves market with a 42% share in 2022, driven by manufacturing hubs in Malaysia and Thailand.
Protective gloves market projected to reach USD 28.5 billion by 2027, growing at 7.2% CAGR due to safety regulations.
Medical gloves market valued at USD 12.3 billion in 2021, expected to hit USD 20.1 billion by 2028 at 7.5% CAGR.
Nitrile gloves demand surged 300% during COVID-19 peak in 2020, boosting overall market growth to 15% YoY.
Industrial gloves segment to grow from USD 8.2 billion in 2023 to USD 12.9 billion by 2030 at 6.7% CAGR.
U.S. gloves market reached USD 4.5 billion in 2022, with 8% growth projected through 2025.
Latex gloves market size was USD 4.8 billion in 2022, declining slightly due to allergies but stabilizing at 4% CAGR.
Europe gloves market valued at EUR 5.2 billion in 2023, growing at 5.9% CAGR to 2030.
Global work gloves market to expand from USD 10.1 billion in 2022 to USD 15.4 billion by 2030.

Market Size & Growth Interpretation

Despite the world's best efforts to be more touchy-feely, it seems we've decided the safest form of human connection is a rapidly expanding, multi-billion-dollar collection of disposable, nitrile-clad hands.

Production & Manufacturing

Disposable medical gloves production capacity increased by 25% globally post-2020 pandemic.
Malaysia produces 65% of the world's nitrile gloves, with over 50 billion pairs annually as of 2023.
Top 10 glove manufacturers control 70% of global latex glove production capacity.
Annual production of surgical gloves worldwide exceeds 100 billion units in 2023.
Thailand's glove factories output 20 billion pairs yearly, focusing on examination gloves.
Automation in glove dipping lines increased production efficiency by 40% in leading factories by 2022.
China accounts for 30% of global industrial glove manufacturing output.
Recycled material usage in glove production rose to 15% in eco-friendly lines by 2023.
Average production cost per 1000 nitrile gloves dropped 20% from 2019 to 2023 due to scale.
Vietnam's glove production capacity doubled to 15 billion pairs per year since 2020.
Powder-free glove manufacturing now constitutes 90% of total medical glove production.
Leading factories operate 24/7 with 120 dipping lines producing 1.5 million gloves per line daily.
Synthetic rubber consumption for gloves reached 1.2 million tons in 2022 globally.
Glove defect rates reduced to under 1.5% through AQL testing standards in 2023 production.
India's glove manufacturing capacity stands at 5 billion pieces annually as of 2023.
U.S. domestic glove production is only 2% of consumption, relying on imports.
Biodegradable glove production pilots reached 500 million units in 2023 trials.
Glove formers usage totals 2 billion units replaced yearly in manufacturing.
Energy consumption per million gloves produced averages 500 kWh in modern plants.

Production & Manufacturing Interpretation

In the wake of the pandemic, the world now produces enough gloves each year to put a sterile pair on every human hand over a dozen times, yet behind this staggering scale lies a surprisingly concentrated, competitive, and quietly innovating industry racing between cost, capacity, and conscience.

Trade & Exports/Imports

U.S. imports 98% of its gloves, totaling USD 3.2 billion in value 2022.
Malaysia exported USD 8.5 billion worth of gloves in 2022, 70% to U.S./EU.
Global glove trade volume hit 150 billion units in 2023.
Thailand glove exports grew 15% YoY to USD 4.2 billion in 2023.
EU imported 45 billion gloves from Asia in 2022, valued at EUR 2.8 billion.
U.S. nitrile glove imports from Malaysia alone: 50 billion pairs in 2022.
China's glove exports declined 10% in 2023 due to capacity shifts.
Vietnam glove exports reached USD 2.1 billion, up 50% since 2021.
India imposed 20% import duty on medical gloves to boost local production.
Brazil imported 1.5 billion gloves from Asia in 2022 amid shortages.
Top export markets for rubber gloves: U.S. (35%), Germany (12%), UK (10%).
Global tariff on gloves averages 5-10%, impacting 20% of trade value.
Canada glove imports totaled CAD 1.2 billion in 2023, 90% from SE Asia.
Australia banned certain glove imports failing standards, reducing volume 15%.
Mexico glove trade balance deficit: USD 800 million in 2022.

Trade & Exports/Imports Interpretation

America's hands are so utterly foreign-dependent that we've outsourced our own security to a global bazaar of latex and nitrile, where 150 billion units of necessity whirl between nations in a dance of tariffs, shortages, and strategic pivots.

Sources & References

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