GITNUXREPORT 2026

Knitwear Industry Statistics

The knitwear industry is growing robustly worldwide while shifting toward sustainability.

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The knitwear industry employed 45 million people worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 2

Bangladesh's knitwear sector provided jobs to 4.2 million workers in 2023, 80% women.

Statistic 3

India's textile and knitwear industry supports 35 million direct jobs as of 2022.

Statistic 4

U.S. knitwear manufacturing employed 120,000 workers in 2023, down 3% YoY.

Statistic 5

China's knitwear factories employed 10.5 million in 2022.

Statistic 6

Vietnam's apparel sector, including knitwear, had 2.8 million employees in 2023.

Statistic 7

Turkey's knitwear industry workforce totaled 650,000 in 2023.

Statistic 8

Average wage in Bangladesh knitwear factories was USD 120/month in 2023.

Statistic 9

65% of global knitwear workers are women, per 2022 ILO data.

Statistic 10

Pakistan employed 2.5 million in knitwear production in FY2023.

Statistic 11

EU knitwear sector jobs numbered 1.8 million in 2022.

Statistic 12

28% of knitwear workers worldwide faced informal employment in 2023.

Statistic 13

World knitwear workforce gender ratio: 68% female in 2023.

Statistic 14

Average hours worked in knitwear factories: 48/week in Asia 2023.

Statistic 15

U.K. knitwear jobs: 45,000 in 2023.

Statistic 16

Labor productivity in knitwear up 12% to 150 pieces/worker/day globally.

Statistic 17

15% rise in unionized knitwear workers in Bangladesh since 2020.

Statistic 18

Italy’s knitwear artisans: 200,000 skilled jobs in 2023.

Statistic 19

Youth employment in knitwear: 25% under 25 globally 2023.

Statistic 20

Training programs reached 1 million knitwear workers in 2023.

Statistic 21

Turnover rate in knitwear factories: 18% annually worldwide.

Statistic 22

Remote design jobs in knitwear grew 40% post-COVID to 50,000.

Statistic 23

The global knitwear market was valued at USD 284.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 412.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%.

Statistic 24

In 2022, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 52.7% of the global knitwear market revenue.

Statistic 25

The U.S. knitwear market size stood at USD 45.2 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 4.8% CAGR through 2030.

Statistic 26

Europe's knitwear sector generated EUR 68.5 billion in sales in 2022, with a forecasted CAGR of 3.9% to 2028.

Statistic 27

India's knitwear exports contributed INR 1.2 lakh crore to the economy in FY2023, marking 12% YoY growth.

Statistic 28

The luxury knitwear segment is anticipated to expand at 6.7% CAGR from 2024-2032 globally.

Statistic 29

China's knitwear market reached CNY 450 billion in 2023, dominating with 38% global share.

Statistic 30

Sustainable knitwear market valued at USD 35.4 billion in 2022, projected to hit USD 78.2 billion by 2030 at 10.5% CAGR.

Statistic 31

Bangladesh's ready-made knitwear industry hit USD 15.8 billion in exports in 2022-23.

Statistic 32

The organic cotton knitwear sub-market grew 15.2% YoY in 2023 to USD 12.6 billion.

Statistic 33

The global knitwear market CAGR is projected at 5.1% from 2023-2028.

Statistic 34

Latin America's knitwear market valued USD 12.4 billion in 2023.

Statistic 35

Middle East knitwear imports reached USD 6.8 billion in 2022.

Statistic 36

Athleisure knitwear segment grew 8.2% to USD 45 billion globally in 2023.

Statistic 37

UK knitwear retail sales hit GBP 3.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 38

Japan’s knitwear market size was JPY 1.1 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 39

Australia imported AUD 2.5 billion in knitwear in 2023.

Statistic 40

Africa’s emerging knitwear market to grow at 7.5% CAGR to 2030.

Statistic 41

Sportswear knits valued USD 110 billion in 2023 globally.

Statistic 42

Russia’s knitwear production up 4% to RUB 250 billion in 2023.

Statistic 43

Global knitwear production volume reached 28.5 billion pieces in 2023.

Statistic 44

In 2022, India produced 4,200 million kg of knitted fabrics for apparel.

Statistic 45

Vietnam's knitwear manufacturing output increased by 18% to 2.1 billion garments in 2023.

Statistic 46

Turkey produced 650 million pieces of knitwear in 2022, focusing on high-quality cotton blends.

Statistic 47

The average daily production capacity of a standard Chinese knitwear factory is 50,000 pieces.

Statistic 48

Pakistan's knitwear sector manufactured 1,200 million kg of yarn-based knits in FY2023.

Statistic 49

Italy's premium knitwear production volume was 120 million units in 2023, with 70% exported.

Statistic 50

Bangladesh knitwear factories operated at 85% capacity utilization in 2023, producing 4.5 billion pieces.

Statistic 51

U.S. domestic knitwear production totaled 450 million units in 2022, down 5% from prior year.

Statistic 52

Peru's alpaca knitwear output reached 25 million pieces in 2023, emphasizing natural fibers.

Statistic 53

Global production of circular knit fabrics hit 1.2 billion meters in 2023.

Statistic 54

Sri Lanka produced 350 million knitwear pieces in 2023.

Statistic 55

Cambodia’s knitwear output grew 22% to 800 million units in 2023.

Statistic 56

Indonesia manufactured 1.5 billion kg of knits in 2022.

Statistic 57

Egypt’s knitwear production reached 250 million garments in 2023.

Statistic 58

Average knitting machine speed in modern factories: 25 rpm in 2023.

Statistic 59

Morocco produced 150 million knitwear items in 2023.

Statistic 60

Ethiopia’s knitwear factories output 100 million pieces annually in 2023.

Statistic 61

High-tenacity yarn usage in knits up 18% to 500,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 62

Automated knitting lines produce 30% more output per shift globally.

Statistic 63

72% of global apparel brands source knitwear from factories with sustainability certifications in 2023.

Statistic 64

Recycled polyester usage in knitwear rose to 15% of total fibers in 2023.

Statistic 65

45% of consumers prefer sustainable knitwear, up from 32% in 2020.

Statistic 66

Carbon footprint of average knitwear garment reduced by 20% since 2018 via eco-dyes.

Statistic 67

Organic cotton in knitwear increased to 2.1 million tons globally in 2022.

Statistic 68

35% of knitwear production shifted to circular economy models by 2023.

Statistic 69

Water usage per knitwear kg dropped 30% to 120 liters with new tech in 2023.

Statistic 70

Fast fashion knitwear waste totaled 92 million tons globally in 2022.

Statistic 71

62% of brands plan to use 50% recycled materials in knits by 2025.

Statistic 72

E-commerce sales of sustainable knitwear grew 25% YoY to USD 18 billion in 2023.

Statistic 73

85% of sustainable knitwear uses certified low-impact dyes in 2023.

Statistic 74

Microplastic shedding from knits reduced 25% with new fibers.

Statistic 75

Vegan knitwear market up 30% to USD 8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 76

Blockchain traceability adopted by 40% of knitwear supply chains.

Statistic 77

Energy use per knitwear kg down 22% to 15 kWh with renewables.

Statistic 78

Upcycled knitwear sales grew 35% YoY in 2023.

Statistic 79

55% consumers willing to pay 20% premium for eco-knits.

Statistic 80

Zero-waste knitting patterns used in 15% production lines 2023.

Statistic 81

Biodegradable knits market to hit USD 5 billion by 2025.

Statistic 82

Fair trade certified knitwear volume: 500 million pieces in 2023.

Statistic 83

Global knitwear exports totaled USD 180.4 billion in 2023, led by Asia at 65% share.

Statistic 84

EU imported USD 45.2 billion worth of knitwear in 2022, primarily from China and Bangladesh.

Statistic 85

India's knitwear exports grew 10.5% to USD 14.3 billion in FY2023.

Statistic 86

U.S. knitwear imports from Vietnam reached USD 8.7 billion in 2023.

Statistic 87

China's knitwear exports declined 7.2% to USD 65.1 billion in 2023 due to trade tensions.

Statistic 88

Turkey's knitwear exports hit EUR 7.8 billion in 2023, targeting EU markets.

Statistic 89

Bangladesh exported USD 20.1 billion in knitwear to the U.S. and EU combined in 2022-23.

Statistic 90

Italy exported 80% of its USD 4.2 billion knitwear production in 2023.

Statistic 91

Pakistan's knitwear exports to the EU rose 12% to USD 2.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 92

Global knitwear trade volume was 12.4 billion kg in 2022.

Statistic 93

Global knitwear imports by U.S. totaled USD 25.6 billion in 2023.

Statistic 94

EU-China knitwear trade volume: EUR 22 billion in 2022.

Statistic 95

Vietnam exported USD 18.5 billion in knitwear in 2023.

Statistic 96

Colombia’s knitwear exports to U.S. hit USD 1.2 billion in 2023.

Statistic 97

Jordan knitwear exports grew 15% to USD 1.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 98

Canada imported CAD 4.1 billion knitwear mainly from Asia in 2023.

Statistic 99

South Korea exported USD 7.2 billion knits in 2023.

Statistic 100

Mexico’s knitwear trade with U.S. under USMCA: USD 3.5 billion exports.

Statistic 101

UAE re-exported USD 2.4 billion knitwear in 2023.

Statistic 102

Global intra-Asia knitwear trade: USD 40 billion in 2023.

Sources
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From cozy sweaters to a colossal market, the global knitwear industry is a trillion-piece puzzle where Asia's factories produce more than half of the world's output while trends like sustainability are reshaping how we create and consume every stitch.

Key Takeaways

  • The global knitwear market was valued at USD 284.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 412.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%.
  • In 2022, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 52.7% of the global knitwear market revenue.
  • The U.S. knitwear market size stood at USD 45.2 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 4.8% CAGR through 2030.
  • Global knitwear production volume reached 28.5 billion pieces in 2023.
  • In 2022, India produced 4,200 million kg of knitted fabrics for apparel.
  • Vietnam's knitwear manufacturing output increased by 18% to 2.1 billion garments in 2023.
  • Global knitwear exports totaled USD 180.4 billion in 2023, led by Asia at 65% share.
  • EU imported USD 45.2 billion worth of knitwear in 2022, primarily from China and Bangladesh.
  • India's knitwear exports grew 10.5% to USD 14.3 billion in FY2023.
  • The knitwear industry employed 45 million people worldwide in 2023.
  • Bangladesh's knitwear sector provided jobs to 4.2 million workers in 2023, 80% women.
  • India's textile and knitwear industry supports 35 million direct jobs as of 2022.
  • 72% of global apparel brands source knitwear from factories with sustainability certifications in 2023.
  • Recycled polyester usage in knitwear rose to 15% of total fibers in 2023.
  • 45% of consumers prefer sustainable knitwear, up from 32% in 2020.

The knitwear industry is growing robustly worldwide while shifting toward sustainability.

Employment & Labor

  • The knitwear industry employed 45 million people worldwide in 2023.
  • Bangladesh's knitwear sector provided jobs to 4.2 million workers in 2023, 80% women.
  • India's textile and knitwear industry supports 35 million direct jobs as of 2022.
  • U.S. knitwear manufacturing employed 120,000 workers in 2023, down 3% YoY.
  • China's knitwear factories employed 10.5 million in 2022.
  • Vietnam's apparel sector, including knitwear, had 2.8 million employees in 2023.
  • Turkey's knitwear industry workforce totaled 650,000 in 2023.
  • Average wage in Bangladesh knitwear factories was USD 120/month in 2023.
  • 65% of global knitwear workers are women, per 2022 ILO data.
  • Pakistan employed 2.5 million in knitwear production in FY2023.
  • EU knitwear sector jobs numbered 1.8 million in 2022.
  • 28% of knitwear workers worldwide faced informal employment in 2023.
  • World knitwear workforce gender ratio: 68% female in 2023.
  • Average hours worked in knitwear factories: 48/week in Asia 2023.
  • U.K. knitwear jobs: 45,000 in 2023.
  • Labor productivity in knitwear up 12% to 150 pieces/worker/day globally.
  • 15% rise in unionized knitwear workers in Bangladesh since 2020.
  • Italy’s knitwear artisans: 200,000 skilled jobs in 2023.
  • Youth employment in knitwear: 25% under 25 globally 2023.
  • Training programs reached 1 million knitwear workers in 2023.
  • Turnover rate in knitwear factories: 18% annually worldwide.
  • Remote design jobs in knitwear grew 40% post-COVID to 50,000.

Employment & Labor Interpretation

The global knitwear industry, a massive and often underpaid tapestry of 45 million souls (overwhelmingly women), stitches together a story of stark contrasts, where the nimble fingers of millions in Bangladesh and India clothe the world for a pittance, while automation gains and remote design flourish in the West, all woven with threads of rising productivity, fragile progress, and persistent informality.

Market Size & Growth

  • The global knitwear market was valued at USD 284.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 412.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%.
  • In 2022, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 52.7% of the global knitwear market revenue.
  • The U.S. knitwear market size stood at USD 45.2 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 4.8% CAGR through 2030.
  • Europe's knitwear sector generated EUR 68.5 billion in sales in 2022, with a forecasted CAGR of 3.9% to 2028.
  • India's knitwear exports contributed INR 1.2 lakh crore to the economy in FY2023, marking 12% YoY growth.
  • The luxury knitwear segment is anticipated to expand at 6.7% CAGR from 2024-2032 globally.
  • China's knitwear market reached CNY 450 billion in 2023, dominating with 38% global share.
  • Sustainable knitwear market valued at USD 35.4 billion in 2022, projected to hit USD 78.2 billion by 2030 at 10.5% CAGR.
  • Bangladesh's ready-made knitwear industry hit USD 15.8 billion in exports in 2022-23.
  • The organic cotton knitwear sub-market grew 15.2% YoY in 2023 to USD 12.6 billion.
  • The global knitwear market CAGR is projected at 5.1% from 2023-2028.
  • Latin America's knitwear market valued USD 12.4 billion in 2023.
  • Middle East knitwear imports reached USD 6.8 billion in 2022.
  • Athleisure knitwear segment grew 8.2% to USD 45 billion globally in 2023.
  • UK knitwear retail sales hit GBP 3.2 billion in 2023.
  • Japan’s knitwear market size was JPY 1.1 trillion in 2022.
  • Australia imported AUD 2.5 billion in knitwear in 2023.
  • Africa’s emerging knitwear market to grow at 7.5% CAGR to 2030.
  • Sportswear knits valued USD 110 billion in 2023 globally.
  • Russia’s knitwear production up 4% to RUB 250 billion in 2023.

Market Size & Growth Interpretation

While Asia currently holds the knitting world's crown with China as its glittering centerpiece, the West is stitching up a cozy, premium future, with luxury and sustainable threads leading the yarn-based charge toward a $412 billion wardrobe.

Production Statistics

  • Global knitwear production volume reached 28.5 billion pieces in 2023.
  • In 2022, India produced 4,200 million kg of knitted fabrics for apparel.
  • Vietnam's knitwear manufacturing output increased by 18% to 2.1 billion garments in 2023.
  • Turkey produced 650 million pieces of knitwear in 2022, focusing on high-quality cotton blends.
  • The average daily production capacity of a standard Chinese knitwear factory is 50,000 pieces.
  • Pakistan's knitwear sector manufactured 1,200 million kg of yarn-based knits in FY2023.
  • Italy's premium knitwear production volume was 120 million units in 2023, with 70% exported.
  • Bangladesh knitwear factories operated at 85% capacity utilization in 2023, producing 4.5 billion pieces.
  • U.S. domestic knitwear production totaled 450 million units in 2022, down 5% from prior year.
  • Peru's alpaca knitwear output reached 25 million pieces in 2023, emphasizing natural fibers.
  • Global production of circular knit fabrics hit 1.2 billion meters in 2023.
  • Sri Lanka produced 350 million knitwear pieces in 2023.
  • Cambodia’s knitwear output grew 22% to 800 million units in 2023.
  • Indonesia manufactured 1.5 billion kg of knits in 2022.
  • Egypt’s knitwear production reached 250 million garments in 2023.
  • Average knitting machine speed in modern factories: 25 rpm in 2023.
  • Morocco produced 150 million knitwear items in 2023.
  • Ethiopia’s knitwear factories output 100 million pieces annually in 2023.
  • High-tenacity yarn usage in knits up 18% to 500,000 tons in 2023.
  • Automated knitting lines produce 30% more output per shift globally.

Production Statistics Interpretation

The global knitwear industry is a staggering, multi-billion-piece puzzle where nations meticulously carve their niches—from China's colossal daily output and Bangladesh's relentless efficiency to Italy's premium exports and Peru's alpaca luxury—all while racing against automation and shifting demand.

Sustainability & Trends

  • 72% of global apparel brands source knitwear from factories with sustainability certifications in 2023.
  • Recycled polyester usage in knitwear rose to 15% of total fibers in 2023.
  • 45% of consumers prefer sustainable knitwear, up from 32% in 2020.
  • Carbon footprint of average knitwear garment reduced by 20% since 2018 via eco-dyes.
  • Organic cotton in knitwear increased to 2.1 million tons globally in 2022.
  • 35% of knitwear production shifted to circular economy models by 2023.
  • Water usage per knitwear kg dropped 30% to 120 liters with new tech in 2023.
  • Fast fashion knitwear waste totaled 92 million tons globally in 2022.
  • 62% of brands plan to use 50% recycled materials in knits by 2025.
  • E-commerce sales of sustainable knitwear grew 25% YoY to USD 18 billion in 2023.
  • 85% of sustainable knitwear uses certified low-impact dyes in 2023.
  • Microplastic shedding from knits reduced 25% with new fibers.
  • Vegan knitwear market up 30% to USD 8 billion in 2023.
  • Blockchain traceability adopted by 40% of knitwear supply chains.
  • Energy use per knitwear kg down 22% to 15 kWh with renewables.
  • Upcycled knitwear sales grew 35% YoY in 2023.
  • 55% consumers willing to pay 20% premium for eco-knits.
  • Zero-waste knitting patterns used in 15% production lines 2023.
  • Biodegradable knits market to hit USD 5 billion by 2025.
  • Fair trade certified knitwear volume: 500 million pieces in 2023.

Sustainability & Trends Interpretation

While the industry is knitting a genuinely greener future with impressive efficiency gains and eager consumers, it must still untangle the colossal, lingering knot of 92 million tons of annual fast fashion waste to truly wear its sustainability badge with pride.

Trade & Exports

  • Global knitwear exports totaled USD 180.4 billion in 2023, led by Asia at 65% share.
  • EU imported USD 45.2 billion worth of knitwear in 2022, primarily from China and Bangladesh.
  • India's knitwear exports grew 10.5% to USD 14.3 billion in FY2023.
  • U.S. knitwear imports from Vietnam reached USD 8.7 billion in 2023.
  • China's knitwear exports declined 7.2% to USD 65.1 billion in 2023 due to trade tensions.
  • Turkey's knitwear exports hit EUR 7.8 billion in 2023, targeting EU markets.
  • Bangladesh exported USD 20.1 billion in knitwear to the U.S. and EU combined in 2022-23.
  • Italy exported 80% of its USD 4.2 billion knitwear production in 2023.
  • Pakistan's knitwear exports to the EU rose 12% to USD 2.8 billion in 2023.
  • Global knitwear trade volume was 12.4 billion kg in 2022.
  • Global knitwear imports by U.S. totaled USD 25.6 billion in 2023.
  • EU-China knitwear trade volume: EUR 22 billion in 2022.
  • Vietnam exported USD 18.5 billion in knitwear in 2023.
  • Colombia’s knitwear exports to U.S. hit USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
  • Jordan knitwear exports grew 15% to USD 1.8 billion in 2023.
  • Canada imported CAD 4.1 billion knitwear mainly from Asia in 2023.
  • South Korea exported USD 7.2 billion knits in 2023.
  • Mexico’s knitwear trade with U.S. under USMCA: USD 3.5 billion exports.
  • UAE re-exported USD 2.4 billion knitwear in 2023.
  • Global intra-Asia knitwear trade: USD 40 billion in 2023.

Trade & Exports Interpretation

Asia's overwhelming dominance in the knitwear trade, stitched together by China's still-massive exports and the rapid growth of rivals like Bangladesh and Vietnam, shows a global wardrobe increasingly made elsewhere, even as trade tensions and shifting alliances subtly reshape the pattern.

Sources & References

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