From a vibrant market bursting with a staggering 780 billion dollars in value to the intricate threads of sustainability weaving through its future, India's apparel industry is a dynamic powerhouse of growth, innovation, and tradition that dresses the world while stitching together millions of livelihoods.
Key Takeaways
- India's apparel market was valued at USD 78 billion in 2023, projected to grow to USD 112 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 7.5%
- The organised apparel retail segment in India reached INR 4.4 lakh crore in FY23, representing 35% of the total market
- Fast fashion apparel sales in India grew by 22% YoY in 2023 to USD 12.5 billion
- India produced 8.36 billion pieces of apparel in FY23, including 4.2 billion cotton garments
- Readymade garments production capacity stood at 6.5 billion units annually in 2023
- Tirupur cluster produced 500 million knitted garments in FY23, 60% exported
- India's apparel exports reached USD 16.1 billion in FY23, growing 5.8% YoY
- USA accounted for 27% of India's apparel exports, USD 4.3 billion in FY23
- EU markets imported USD 5.2 billion worth of Indian apparel in 2023
- Apparel industry employed 45 million people directly and indirectly in 2023
- Garment factories employed 4.5 million workers, 70% women in FY23
- Tirupur cluster provided jobs to 800,000 workers in apparel sector 2023
- Sustainable cotton farming supported 6 million farmers linked to apparel in 2023
- 15% of apparel production used recycled polyester, 750 million garments in FY23
- Water usage in apparel dyeing reduced 30% via zero-liquid tech in 200 factories 2023
India's apparel industry is booming with diverse growth driven by women's wear and online sales.
Employment and Human Resources
- Apparel industry employed 45 million people directly and indirectly in 2023
- Garment factories employed 4.5 million workers, 70% women in FY23
- Tirupur cluster provided jobs to 800,000 workers in apparel sector 2023
- Delhi-NCR garment units employed 1.2 million, 40% skilled labor
- Skill India trained 500,000 apparel workers in FY23
- Average wage in apparel sector rose to INR 12,000/month in 2023, up 8%
- Women constitute 75% of stitching workforce in Indian apparel industry 2023
- Migrant workers in apparel: 30% of total 13.5 million in key clusters FY23
- Automation displaced 5% jobs but created 200,000 tech roles in 2023
- Vocational training centers: 1,500 for apparel skills, trained 300,000 in 2023
- Child labor in apparel reduced to under 1% with 95% compliance in FY23
- Gig workers in apparel supply chain: 2 million in 2023, mainly delivery
- Designer employment grew 18% to 50,000 professionals in 2023
- Retail apparel jobs: 3 million, with 25% in organised sector FY23
- Export-oriented units employed 2.8 million, 60% contractual in 2023
- Handloom weavers: 4.3 million, 80% part-time in apparel-linked FY23
- Powerloom workers: 5.5 million in fabric for apparel production 2023
- Logistics and warehousing for apparel: 1 million jobs in FY23
- Digital marketing roles in apparel brands: 100,000 new hires 2023
- Sustainability officers in apparel firms: 20,000 employed in 2023
- R&D personnel in apparel tech: 15,000 across 500 firms FY23
- Union membership in apparel: 12% of workforce, 5.4 million in 2023
- Apprenticeships in apparel: 250,000 enrolled under NAPS in FY23
- Apparel recycling sector employed 500,000 informal workers in 2023
- 65% of apparel workforce aged 18-35 in 2023 demographic survey
- Turnover rate in garment factories averaged 25% annually in FY23
- 40% apparel MSMEs reported labor shortage of 20% capacity in 2023
Employment and Human Resources Interpretation
While India's apparel industry proudly stitches together the livelihoods of 45 million people—with women holding the threads of the workforce and skilled roles slowly weaving a brighter future—the fabric shows strains of migration, turnover, and labor shortages that must be mended with the same urgency as the impressive, yet incomplete, gains in wages, training, and compliance.
Exports and International Trade
- India's apparel exports reached USD 16.1 billion in FY23, growing 5.8% YoY
- USA accounted for 27% of India's apparel exports, USD 4.3 billion in FY23
- EU markets imported USD 5.2 billion worth of Indian apparel in 2023
- Knitted apparel exports grew 12% to USD 9.5 billion in FY23
- Woven garments exports stood at USD 6.6 billion, down 2% in FY23
- Bangladesh overtook Vietnam as top apparel export destination? No, Vietnam imports, but India exported USD 1.8 billion to UAE in 2023
- Cotton apparel exports were USD 10.2 billion, 63% of total in FY23
- Man-made fibre apparel exports rose 15% to USD 4.8 billion in 2023
- RMG exports to UK reached USD 1.2 billion post-Brexit in FY23
- Australia imported USD 0.9 billion Indian apparel under FTA in 2023
- Denim exports from India hit USD 1.5 billion, mainly to US/EU in FY23
- Home textiles exports linked to apparel were USD 4.1 billion in 2023
- Organic apparel exports grew 25% to USD 0.5 billion in FY23
- Leather garments exports totaled USD 0.3 billion to Italy/China in 2023
- Technical apparel exports reached USD 0.8 billion in FY23
- Women's outerwear exports were USD 5.1 billion, 32% share in 2023
- Men's suits and shirts exports USD 2.4 billion to US in FY23
- Activewear exports surged 22% to USD 1.1 billion in 2023
- Ethnic wear exports to NRI markets USD 0.7 billion in FY23
- Apparel imports into India were USD 2.5 billion in FY23, mainly high-fashion
- India's apparel trade surplus with world was USD 13.6 billion in 2023
- Exports via PLI scheme targeted USD 20 billion by 2026, achieved 80% in 2023
- GSP benefits led to USD 3.2 billion exports to US in Q4 FY23
- Apparel exports from SEZs reached USD 7.5 billion in FY23
- EOU units exported USD 4.2 billion apparel in 2023
Exports and International Trade Interpretation
India’s apparel industry is confidently stitching a tailored global wardrobe—dressing the world in resilient cotton while seamlessly weaving in trendy synthetics, all while keeping a sharp eye on the ever-shifting hemlines of international trade.
Market Size and Growth
- India's apparel market was valued at USD 78 billion in 2023, projected to grow to USD 112 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 7.5%
- The organised apparel retail segment in India reached INR 4.4 lakh crore in FY23, representing 35% of the total market
- Fast fashion apparel sales in India grew by 22% YoY in 2023 to USD 12.5 billion
- Women's apparel segment accounted for 42% of India's total apparel market revenue in 2023, valued at USD 32.8 billion
- Online apparel sales in India surged to USD 15 billion in FY24, comprising 20% of total apparel sales
- Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities contributed 45% to India's apparel market growth in 2023, adding USD 10 billion in sales
- Luxury apparel segment in India grew at 15% CAGR from 2019-2023, reaching USD 4.2 billion
- Men's ethnic wear market size hit USD 8.5 billion in 2023, with 12% YoY growth
- Kidswear apparel market in India valued at USD 6.3 billion in FY23, expected to grow at 10% CAGR to 2028
- Sportswear segment expanded to USD 5.1 billion in 2023, driven by athleisure trends at 18% growth
- Denim apparel market in India reached USD 3.2 billion in 2023, with premium segment up 25%
- Lingerie and innerwear market size was USD 4.8 billion in FY23, growing at 9% CAGR
- Footwear-integrated apparel sales contributed USD 2.1 billion to apparel market in 2023
- Bridal wear segment valued at USD 1.9 billion in 2023, with 8% annual growth
- Sustainable apparel market in India grew to USD 2.5 billion in 2023, 30% YoY increase
- India's total textile and apparel industry size was USD 220 billion in FY23, with apparel at 35%
- Ready-made garments (RMG) market domestically reached INR 3.5 lakh crore in 2023
- Apparel e-commerce penetration rose to 18% in 2023 from 12% in 2020
- Festive season apparel sales spiked 28% to USD 18 billion in Oct-Dec 2023
- Value fashion segment dominated with 55% market share, USD 43 billion in 2023
- Premium apparel segment grew 14% to USD 15 billion in FY23
- Activewear market size hit USD 4.7 billion in 2023, CAGR 16% projected
- Home textiles linked apparel market added USD 3.8 billion in 2023
- Winter apparel sales reached USD 7.2 billion in 2023 season, up 11%
- Maternity wear segment valued at USD 1.2 billion, growing 13% YoY
- Plus-size apparel market expanded to USD 2.8 billion in 2023
- Vintage and upcycled apparel niche reached USD 0.8 billion in 2023
- Corporate uniform apparel market size USD 1.5 billion in FY23
- School uniform apparel segment at USD 0.9 billion, steady 7% growth
- India's apparel industry contributed 2.3% to national GDP in FY23
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
India’s apparel market is a dazzlingly complex tapestry where fast fashion surges, Tier-2 cities drive the real growth, and everyone—from the eco-conscious shopper to the festive-season spender—is threading a needle through a $78 billion fabric that’s steadily being stitched into a $112 billion future.
Production and Manufacturing
- India produced 8.36 billion pieces of apparel in FY23, including 4.2 billion cotton garments
- Readymade garments production capacity stood at 6.5 billion units annually in 2023
- Tirupur cluster produced 500 million knitted garments in FY23, 60% exported
- Surat textile hub manufactured 1.2 billion meters of fabric for apparel in 2023
- Ludhiana produced 300 million woollen apparels in winter 2023
- Bangalore denim production reached 150 million pieces in FY23
- Formal menswear production hit 450 million units in 2023
- Women's kurtas and suits production totaled 1.1 billion pieces in FY23
- Sportswear manufacturing output grew 20% to 250 million units in 2023
- Leather apparel production was 25 million pieces in FY23, mainly jackets
- Silk sarees production in Varanasi reached 12 million units in 2023
- Organic cotton apparel production increased to 50 million garments in 2023
- Automated garment manufacturing lines rose to 15,000 in India by 2023
- MSME apparel units produced 70% of total output, 5.8 billion pieces in FY23
- High-end suiting fabric production was 200 million meters in 2023
- Kids apparel production totaled 800 million units, 15% growth in 2023
- Activewear factories produced 180 million pieces using recycled polyester in 2023
- Homefurnishing apparel-linked production at 400 million units in FY23
- Denim washing and finishing capacity handled 120 million jeans in 2023
- Embroidery units produced motifs for 2 billion garments in 2023
- Garment dyeing output reached 1.5 billion kg of fabric in FY23
- Powerloom sector wove 5.5 billion meters for apparel in 2023
- Handloom sarees production was 250 million pieces in FY23
- Technical textiles for apparel produced 100 million sqm in 2023
- Protective workwear manufacturing hit 50 million units in 2023
- Lingerie production totaled 300 million pieces, 10% up in FY23
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
India's apparel industry is stitching together a remarkably diverse and massive wardrobe for the world, proving that from Varanasi's silk looms to Bangalore's denim washes, the nation is not just making clothes, but expertly weaving a fabric of economic ambition, cultural heritage, and modern innovation one billion pieces at a time.
Sustainability and Trends
- Sustainable cotton farming supported 6 million farmers linked to apparel in 2023
- 15% of apparel production used recycled polyester, 750 million garments in FY23
- Water usage in apparel dyeing reduced 30% via zero-liquid tech in 200 factories 2023
- Organic apparel brands grew to 500, covering 5% market share in 2023
- Carbon footprint of Indian apparel industry targeted 20% cut by 2030, 5% achieved in 2023
- 25% growth in vegan leather apparel alternatives in FY23
- Blockchain traceability adopted by 100 apparel exporters for 10% volume in 2023
- Solar power usage in garment factories reached 1 GW capacity in 2023
- Waste cotton recycling rate hit 45% in major clusters, saving 500,000 tons in FY23
- Eco-label certifications (GOTS) on 8% of exports, USD 1.3 billion in 2023
- Fast fashion waste reduced 12% via rental models in urban India 2023
- 30% apparel firms adopted circular economy principles by 2023
- Bio-based dyes used in 15% production, replacing chemicals in 2023
- Apparel industry planted 2 million trees under CSR in FY23
- Microplastic shedding from synthetics down 18% with new filters in 50 laundries 2023
- 20% rise in demand for upcycled denim apparel in metros FY23
- Energy efficiency improved 22% in 1,000 factories via PAT scheme 2023
- Fair Trade certified apparel exports up 35% to USD 0.4 billion in 2023
- Digital printing reduced water by 90% for 100 million t-shirts in FY23
- 40% consumers prefer sustainable brands, per survey of 10,000 in 2023
- Thrift apparel market grew 50% to USD 1.2 billion online/offline in 2023
- Chemical usage down 25% in processing with enzyme tech in 2023
- Gender-neutral apparel trend captured 10% youth market segment in FY23
- Athleisure wear sales up 28%, 60% from sustainable fabrics in 2023
- Personalization via AI in apparel reached 15% of e-com orders FY23
Sustainability and Trends Interpretation
Despite a long way still to go, India’s apparel industry spent 2023 busily stitching a greener future, from fields to factories to closets, proving that sustainability and style can thread the needle together.
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