The knitwear industry employs 45 million people worldwide. Women account for 65 percent of that workforce. Production reached 28.5 billion pieces while the market stood at 284.6 billion dollars in value.
Key Takeaways
- The knitwear industry employed 45 million people worldwide in 2023.
- 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%.
- Global knitwear production volume reached 28.5 billion pieces in 2023.
- 72% of global apparel brands source knitwear from factories with sustainability certifications in 2023.
- Global knitwear exports totaled USD 180.4 billion in 2023, led by Asia at 65% share.
Knitwear industry output is rising steadily, signaling growing demand and stronger market momentum worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment & Labor22 stats
01
The knitwear industry employed 45 million people worldwide in 2023.
02
Bangladesh's knitwear sector provided jobs to 4.2 million workers in 2023, 80% women.
03
India's textile and knitwear industry supports 35 million direct jobs as of 2022.
04
U.S. knitwear manufacturing employed 120,000 workers in 2023, down 3% YoY.
05
China's knitwear factories employed 10.5 million in 2022.
06
Vietnam's apparel sector, including knitwear, had 2.8 million employees in 2023.
07
Turkey's knitwear industry workforce totaled 650,000 in 2023.
08
Average wage in Bangladesh knitwear factories was USD 120/month in 2023.
09
65% of global knitwear workers are women, per 2022 ILO data.
10
Pakistan employed 2.5 million in knitwear production in FY2023.
11
EU knitwear sector jobs numbered 1.8 million in 2022.
12
28% of knitwear workers worldwide faced informal employment in 2023.
13
World knitwear workforce gender ratio: 68% female in 2023.
14
Average hours worked in knitwear factories: 48/week in Asia 2023.
15
U.K. knitwear jobs: 45,000 in 2023.
16
Labor productivity in knitwear up 12% to 150 pieces/worker/day globally.
17
15% rise in unionized knitwear workers in Bangladesh since 2020.
18
Italy’s knitwear artisans: 200,000 skilled jobs in 2023.
19
Youth employment in knitwear: 25% under 25 globally 2023.
20
Training programs reached 1 million knitwear workers in 2023.
21
Turnover rate in knitwear factories: 18% annually worldwide.
22
Remote design jobs in knitwear grew 40% post-COVID to 50,000.
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Market Size & Growth20 stats
01
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%.
02
In 2022, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 52.7% of the global knitwear market revenue.
03
The U.S. knitwear market size stood at USD 45.2 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 4.8% CAGR through 2030.
04
Europe's knitwear sector generated EUR 68.5 billion in sales in 2022, with a forecasted CAGR of 3.9% to 2028.
05
India's knitwear exports contributed INR 1.2 lakh crore to the economy in FY2023, marking 12% YoY growth.
06
The luxury knitwear segment is anticipated to expand at 6.7% CAGR from 2024-2032 globally.
07
China's knitwear market reached CNY 450 billion in 2023, dominating with 38% global share.
08
Sustainable knitwear market valued at USD 35.4 billion in 2022, projected to hit USD 78.2 billion by 2030 at 10.5% CAGR.
09
Bangladesh's ready-made knitwear industry hit USD 15.8 billion in exports in 2022-23.
10
The organic cotton knitwear sub-market grew 15.2% YoY in 2023 to USD 12.6 billion.
11
The global knitwear market CAGR is projected at 5.1% from 2023-2028.
12
Latin America's knitwear market valued USD 12.4 billion in 2023.
13
Middle East knitwear imports reached USD 6.8 billion in 2022.
14
Athleisure knitwear segment grew 8.2% to USD 45 billion globally in 2023.
15
UK knitwear retail sales hit GBP 3.2 billion in 2023.
16
Japan’s knitwear market size was JPY 1.1 trillion in 2022.
17
Australia imported AUD 2.5 billion in knitwear in 2023.
18
Africa’s emerging knitwear market to grow at 7.5% CAGR to 2030.
19
Sportswear knits valued USD 110 billion in 2023 globally.
20
Russia’s knitwear production up 4% to RUB 250 billion in 2023.
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Production Statistics20 stats
01
Global knitwear production volume reached 28.5 billion pieces in 2023.
02
In 2022, India produced 4,200 million kg of knitted fabrics for apparel.
03
Vietnam's knitwear manufacturing output increased by 18% to 2.1 billion garments in 2023.
04
Turkey produced 650 million pieces of knitwear in 2022, focusing on high-quality cotton blends.
05
The average daily production capacity of a standard Chinese knitwear factory is 50,000 pieces.
06
Pakistan's knitwear sector manufactured 1,200 million kg of yarn-based knits in FY2023.
07
Italy's premium knitwear production volume was 120 million units in 2023, with 70% exported.
08
Bangladesh knitwear factories operated at 85% capacity utilization in 2023, producing 4.5 billion pieces.
09
U.S. domestic knitwear production totaled 450 million units in 2022, down 5% from prior year.
10
Peru's alpaca knitwear output reached 25 million pieces in 2023, emphasizing natural fibers.
11
Global production of circular knit fabrics hit 1.2 billion meters in 2023.
12
Sri Lanka produced 350 million knitwear pieces in 2023.
13
Cambodia’s knitwear output grew 22% to 800 million units in 2023.
14
Indonesia manufactured 1.5 billion kg of knits in 2022.
15
Egypt’s knitwear production reached 250 million garments in 2023.
16
Average knitting machine speed in modern factories: 25 rpm in 2023.
17
Morocco produced 150 million knitwear items in 2023.
18
Ethiopia’s knitwear factories output 100 million pieces annually in 2023.
19
High-tenacity yarn usage in knits up 18% to 500,000 tons in 2023.
20
Automated knitting lines produce 30% more output per shift globally.
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sustainability & Trends20 stats
01
72% of global apparel brands source knitwear from factories with sustainability certifications in 2023.
02
Recycled polyester usage in knitwear rose to 15% of total fibers in 2023.
03
45% of consumers prefer sustainable knitwear, up from 32% in 2020.
04
Carbon footprint of average knitwear garment reduced by 20% since 2018 via eco-dyes.
05
Organic cotton in knitwear increased to 2.1 million tons globally in 2022.
06
35% of knitwear production shifted to circular economy models by 2023.
07
Water usage per knitwear kg dropped 30% to 120 liters with new tech in 2023.
08
Fast fashion knitwear waste totaled 92 million tons globally in 2022.
09
62% of brands plan to use 50% recycled materials in knits by 2025.
10
E-commerce sales of sustainable knitwear grew 25% YoY to USD 18 billion in 2023.
11
85% of sustainable knitwear uses certified low-impact dyes in 2023.
12
Microplastic shedding from knits reduced 25% with new fibers.
13
Vegan knitwear market up 30% to USD 8 billion in 2023.
14
Blockchain traceability adopted by 40% of knitwear supply chains.
15
Energy use per knitwear kg down 22% to 15 kWh with renewables.
16
Upcycled knitwear sales grew 35% YoY in 2023.
17
55% consumers willing to pay 20% premium for eco-knits.
18
Zero-waste knitting patterns used in 15% production lines 2023.
19
Biodegradable knits market to hit USD 5 billion by 2025.
20
Fair trade certified knitwear volume: 500 million pieces in 2023.
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Trade & Exports20 stats
01
Global knitwear exports totaled USD 180.4 billion in 2023, led by Asia at 65% share.
02
EU imported USD 45.2 billion worth of knitwear in 2022, primarily from China and Bangladesh.
03
India's knitwear exports grew 10.5% to USD 14.3 billion in FY2023.
04
U.S. knitwear imports from Vietnam reached USD 8.7 billion in 2023.
05
China's knitwear exports declined 7.2% to USD 65.1 billion in 2023 due to trade tensions.
06
Turkey's knitwear exports hit EUR 7.8 billion in 2023, targeting EU markets.
07
Bangladesh exported USD 20.1 billion in knitwear to the U.S. and EU combined in 2022-23.
08
Italy exported 80% of its USD 4.2 billion knitwear production in 2023.
09
Pakistan's knitwear exports to the EU rose 12% to USD 2.8 billion in 2023.
10
Global knitwear trade volume was 12.4 billion kg in 2022.
11
Global knitwear imports by U.S. totaled USD 25.6 billion in 2023.
12
EU-China knitwear trade volume: EUR 22 billion in 2022.
13
Vietnam exported USD 18.5 billion in knitwear in 2023.
14
Colombia’s knitwear exports to U.S. hit USD 1.2 billion in 2023.
15
Jordan knitwear exports grew 15% to USD 1.8 billion in 2023.
16
Canada imported CAD 4.1 billion knitwear mainly from Asia in 2023.
17
South Korea exported USD 7.2 billion knits in 2023.
18
Mexico’s knitwear trade with U.S. under USMCA: USD 3.5 billion exports.
19
UAE re-exported USD 2.4 billion knitwear in 2023.
20
Global intra-Asia knitwear trade: USD 40 billion in 2023.
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Knitwear Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/knitwear-industry-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Knitwear Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/knitwear-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Knitwear Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/knitwear-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
92 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level