GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Apparel Industry Statistics

Apparel industry HR faces gender gaps, high turnover, and digital transformation challenges.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

45% of apparel companies plan to increase their investment in digital HR solutions by 2025.

Statistic 2

35% of apparel companies used AI-driven recruitment tools in 2023.

Statistic 3

25% of apparel companies have implemented advanced HR analytics platforms in 2023.

Statistic 4

30% of apparel factories have integrated automated machinery in their manufacturing process.

Statistic 5

85% of apparel companies see digital skills as critical for future HR success.

Statistic 6

The apparel industry accounts for approximately 4% of the global GDP.

Statistic 7

The global apparel industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% through 2027.

Statistic 8

70% of apparel companies report increasing adoption of sustainability-related HR policies.

Statistic 9

The apparel industry's supply chain sustainability index improved by 10% in 2023.

Statistic 10

The turnover rate in apparel manufacturing is estimated to be around 30%, higher than many other manufacturing sectors.

Statistic 11

The average turnover rate among apparel retail staff is approximately 27% annually.

Statistic 12

The average hourly wage for apparel factory workers in Bangladesh is around $0.50, as of 2023.

Statistic 13

70% of apparel industry HR professionals cite employee retention as their top priority.

Statistic 14

Apparel industry HR budgets increased by an average of 12% in 2023.

Statistic 15

The global apparel industry employed approximately 80 million people in 2022.

Statistic 16

About 60% of apparel industry workers are women, highlighting gender disparities.

Statistic 17

Less than 10% of apparel brands offer comprehensive mental health support for their employees.

Statistic 18

55% of apparel industry HR managers report difficulty in finding skilled workers.

Statistic 19

Approximately 25% of apparel workers globally are freelancers or gig workers.

Statistic 20

The average age of apparel manufacturing workers in Southeast Asia is around 30 years old.

Statistic 21

Only 20% of apparel companies have formal diversity and inclusion programs.

Statistic 22

80% of apparel factories in developing countries do not provide formal training programs for employees.

Statistic 23

65% of apparel managers believe remote work will persist post-pandemic.

Statistic 24

40% of apparel organizations use data analytics to improve employee engagement.

Statistic 25

The average employee tenure in apparel manufacturing is approximately 2 years.

Statistic 26

15% of apparel workers are between the ages of 16 and 24, indicating a young workforce.

Statistic 27

60% of apparel workers in India are employed in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Statistic 28

Employee training hours per apparel worker averages 15 hours annually.

Statistic 29

50% of apparel HR departments report difficulty in managing multicultural workforces.

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Key Highlights

  • The global apparel industry employed approximately 80 million people in 2022.
  • About 60% of apparel industry workers are women, highlighting gender disparities.
  • The average hourly wage for apparel factory workers in Bangladesh is around $0.50, as of 2023.
  • 45% of apparel companies plan to increase their investment in digital HR solutions by 2025.
  • 70% of apparel industry HR professionals cite employee retention as their top priority.
  • The apparel industry accounts for approximately 4% of the global GDP.
  • 35% of apparel companies used AI-driven recruitment tools in 2023.
  • The turnover rate in apparel manufacturing is estimated to be around 30%, higher than many other manufacturing sectors.
  • Less than 10% of apparel brands offer comprehensive mental health support for their employees.
  • 55% of apparel industry HR managers report difficulty in finding skilled workers.
  • Approximately 25% of apparel workers globally are freelancers or gig workers.
  • The average age of apparel manufacturing workers in Southeast Asia is around 30 years old.
  • Only 20% of apparel companies have formal diversity and inclusion programs.

With over 80 million people worldwide working in the apparel industry—yet facing issues like high turnover, gender disparities, and limited mental health support—HR in this sector is at a pivotal crossroads, embracing digital transformation and sustainability to shape its future.

Adoption of Technology and Innovation

  • 45% of apparel companies plan to increase their investment in digital HR solutions by 2025.
  • 35% of apparel companies used AI-driven recruitment tools in 2023.
  • 25% of apparel companies have implemented advanced HR analytics platforms in 2023.
  • 30% of apparel factories have integrated automated machinery in their manufacturing process.
  • 85% of apparel companies see digital skills as critical for future HR success.

Adoption of Technology and Innovation Interpretation

With nearly half of apparel companies ramping up digital HR investments by 2025 and a significant shift towards AI recruitment, analytics, and automation, the industry is stitching together a future where digital skills are as essential as fabric—transforming apparel manufacturing into a high-tech sewing circle.

Industry Growth, Market Trends, and Strategic Planning

  • The apparel industry accounts for approximately 4% of the global GDP.
  • The global apparel industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% through 2027.

Industry Growth, Market Trends, and Strategic Planning Interpretation

With apparel contributing roughly 4% to the global GDP and set to grow at a steady 5% annually through 2027, the industry is sewing up its economic significance—fashionably—and financially speaking.

Supply Chain, Sustainability, and Corporate Practices

  • 70% of apparel companies report increasing adoption of sustainability-related HR policies.
  • The apparel industry's supply chain sustainability index improved by 10% in 2023.

Supply Chain, Sustainability, and Corporate Practices Interpretation

With 70% of apparel companies embracing sustainability HR policies and a 10% boost in supply chain eco-efficiency, the industry appears to be stitching a greener future—one well-placed seam at a time.

Turnover, and Employee Retention

  • The turnover rate in apparel manufacturing is estimated to be around 30%, higher than many other manufacturing sectors.
  • The average turnover rate among apparel retail staff is approximately 27% annually.

Turnover, and Employee Retention Interpretation

With turnover rates nearing a third of its workforce each year, the apparel industry is sewing its own seams of instability, revealing a pressing need for better retention strategies in both manufacturing and retail sectors.

Wages

  • The average hourly wage for apparel factory workers in Bangladesh is around $0.50, as of 2023.

Wages Interpretation

With workers earning just half a dollar an hour in Bangladesh's apparel factories, it's clear that fast fashion's bargain often comes at a steep human cost, demanding a closer look at the industry’s true price.

Wages, Turnover, and Employee Retention

  • 70% of apparel industry HR professionals cite employee retention as their top priority.
  • Apparel industry HR budgets increased by an average of 12% in 2023.

Wages, Turnover, and Employee Retention Interpretation

With 70% of HR pros prioritizing retention and budgets rising by 12%, it's clear the apparel industry is sewing together a stronger commitment to keeping talent—because talent, like fabric, is what truly makes the industry woven together.

Workforce Demographics and Employee Engagement

  • The global apparel industry employed approximately 80 million people in 2022.
  • About 60% of apparel industry workers are women, highlighting gender disparities.
  • Less than 10% of apparel brands offer comprehensive mental health support for their employees.
  • 55% of apparel industry HR managers report difficulty in finding skilled workers.
  • Approximately 25% of apparel workers globally are freelancers or gig workers.
  • The average age of apparel manufacturing workers in Southeast Asia is around 30 years old.
  • Only 20% of apparel companies have formal diversity and inclusion programs.
  • 80% of apparel factories in developing countries do not provide formal training programs for employees.
  • 65% of apparel managers believe remote work will persist post-pandemic.
  • 40% of apparel organizations use data analytics to improve employee engagement.
  • The average employee tenure in apparel manufacturing is approximately 2 years.
  • 15% of apparel workers are between the ages of 16 and 24, indicating a young workforce.
  • 60% of apparel workers in India are employed in small and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Employee training hours per apparel worker averages 15 hours annually.
  • 50% of apparel HR departments report difficulty in managing multicultural workforces.

Workforce Demographics and Employee Engagement Interpretation

The apparel industry's workforce, predominantly young women in Southeast Asia and often engaged as freelancers, faces stark challenges—from gender disparities and insufficient mental health support, to high turnover and a growing reliance on data-driven management—highlighting a pressing need, amidst its global employment of 80 million, to weave stronger policies for diversity, skill development, and worker well-being.