GITNUXREPORT 2026

Korea Textile Industry Statistics

South Korea's textile industry is dominated by high-tech synthetic fibers and fabrics.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

South Korea's textile industry employed 145,000 workers in 2022.

Statistic 2

Apparel manufacturing sector had 78,000 employees in 2023.

Statistic 3

Fiber production employed 32,000 workers in 2022.

Statistic 4

Fabric manufacturing workforce totaled 45,000 in 2023.

Statistic 5

Average monthly wage in textile industry was KRW 3.2 million in 2022.

Statistic 6

Female workers comprised 58% of textile employment in 2023.

Statistic 7

Youth employment (under 30) in textiles was 22% or 32,000 in 2022.

Statistic 8

R&D personnel in textile firms numbered 12,500 in 2023.

Statistic 9

Labor productivity per worker reached KRW 450 million in 2022.

Statistic 10

Turnover rate in textile industry was 8.5% in 2023.

Statistic 11

Overseas Korean textile workers totaled 15,000 in 2022.

Statistic 12

Training programs trained 25,000 textile workers in 2023.

Statistic 13

SMEs employed 92% of textile workforce (133,000) in 2022.

Statistic 14

Large firms (over 300 workers) had 12,000 employees in 2023.

Statistic 15

Gyeonggi province hosted 45% of textile jobs (65,000) in 2022.

Statistic 16

Chungcheong region employment 28,000 textile workers 2023.

Statistic 17

Jeolla province 18,000 textile employees in 2022.

Statistic 18

Part-time workers 15% of total (22,000) in 2023.

Statistic 19

Unionized workers 18% or 26,000 in textile sector 2022.

Statistic 20

Accident rate per 1,000 workers was 2.1 in 2023.

Statistic 21

Average age of textile workers 45.2 years in 2022.

Statistic 22

Vocational high school graduates in textiles 4,500 annually 2023.

Statistic 23

University textile majors enrolled 8,200 students in 2022.

Statistic 24

Foreign workers in textiles 12,000 (8%) in 2023.

Statistic 25

Disability employment quota met at 3.2% (4,600) in 2022.

Statistic 26

Overtime hours averaged 28 per month per worker 2023.

Statistic 27

In 2022, South Korea exported textiles and apparel worth $14.2 billion, a 2.1% rise from 2021.

Statistic 28

Polyester yarn exports from South Korea reached $2.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 29

Apparel exports totaled $10.5 billion in 2022, with USA as top destination at 28%.

Statistic 30

Synthetic fabric exports hit $3.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 31

Knitwear exports from South Korea were $4.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 32

Woven apparel exports amounted to $3.8 billion in 2023.

Statistic 33

Technical textiles exports grew to $1.9 billion in 2022.

Statistic 34

Vietnam received 35% of South Korea's textile exports worth $5.0 billion in 2023.

Statistic 35

China imported $2.4 billion in Korean textiles in 2022.

Statistic 36

EU markets took $2.1 billion of Korean apparel exports in 2023.

Statistic 37

Sportswear exports reached $2.7 billion in 2022.

Statistic 38

Home textiles exports totaled $850 million in 2023.

Statistic 39

Automotive textiles exports hit $650 million in 2022.

Statistic 40

Medical textiles exports grew 15% to $420 million in 2023.

Statistic 41

Socks exports from South Korea were $1.1 billion in 2022.

Statistic 42

Underwear exports amounted to $950 million in 2023.

Statistic 43

Japan imported $1.2 billion Korean textiles in 2022.

Statistic 44

Bangladesh sourced $750 million in yarn from Korea in 2023.

Statistic 45

USA apparel imports from Korea hit $3.0 billion in 2022.

Statistic 46

EU technical textiles from Korea totaled $550 million in 2023.

Statistic 47

Vietnam knitwear imports $1.8 billion from Korea in 2022.

Statistic 48

China synthetic fiber imports $1.5 billion in 2023.

Statistic 49

Indonesia received $600 million Korean fabrics in 2022.

Statistic 50

Philippines apparel imports $450 million from Korea 2023.

Statistic 51

Turkey yarn imports $350 million from Korea in 2022.

Statistic 52

India technical textiles $280 million from Korea 2023.

Statistic 53

Canada sportswear $220 million Korean exports 2022.

Statistic 54

Australia home textiles $180 million from Korea 2023.

Statistic 55

Russia automotive textiles $150 million Korean 2022.

Statistic 56

UAE medical textiles $120 million from Korea 2023.

Statistic 57

Mexico socks $95 million Korean exports 2022.

Statistic 58

Brazil underwear $85 million from Korea 2023.

Statistic 59

UK hats $75 million Korean exports 2022.

Statistic 60

Textile industry revenue reached KRW 45 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 61

Export revenue contributed 65% or KRW 29 trillion in 2023.

Statistic 62

Domestic market sales KRW 16 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 63

Profit margin average 4.2% for textile firms in 2023.

Statistic 64

R&D investment totaled KRW 1.8 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 65

Capital investment KRW 3.2 trillion in new plants 2023.

Statistic 66

Number of textile firms 5,200 in 2022.

Statistic 67

Top 10 firms revenue KRW 22 trillion (49%) in 2023.

Statistic 68

SMEs revenue KRW 23 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 69

Market cap of listed textile firms KRW 15 trillion 2023.

Statistic 70

Debt ratio average 180% for industry in 2022.

Statistic 71

Inventory turnover 4.8 times per year in 2023.

Statistic 72

E-commerce sales in textiles KRW 2.5 trillion 2022.

Statistic 73

Brand value of Korean textiles $12 billion in 2023.

Statistic 74

Sustainability investments KRW 850 billion in 2022.

Statistic 75

Government subsidies KRW 450 billion for textiles 2023.

Statistic 76

Patent filings 2,150 in textile tech 2022.

Statistic 77

Venture capital in textiles KRW 320 billion 2023.

Statistic 78

Stock price index for textiles up 5.2% in 2022.

Statistic 79

ROE average 6.1% for textile companies 2023.

Statistic 80

EBITDA margin 7.8% industry average 2022.

Statistic 81

Tax revenue from textiles KRW 1.2 trillion 2023.

Statistic 82

Insurance premiums for textile firms KRW 180 billion 2022.

Statistic 83

CSR spending KRW 250 billion by industry 2023.

Statistic 84

South Korea imported $8.7 billion in raw materials for textiles in 2022.

Statistic 85

Cotton imports totaled 450,000 tons valued at $2.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 86

Synthetic fiber imports reached $3.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 87

Wool imports were 25,000 tons worth $450 million in 2023.

Statistic 88

Machinery for textile production imports hit $1.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 89

Chemical dyes and auxiliaries imports totaled $950 million in 2023.

Statistic 90

China supplied 62% of South Korea's textile raw material imports in 2022.

Statistic 91

USA cotton exports to Korea $1.1 billion in 2023.

Statistic 92

India provided 180,000 tons of cotton to Korea in 2022.

Statistic 93

Australia wool imports to Korea 15,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 94

Japan machinery imports $450 million to Korea 2022.

Statistic 95

Germany dyes imports $320 million to Korea 2023.

Statistic 96

Vietnam synthetic staple fiber 120,000 tons imported 2022.

Statistic 97

Indonesia viscose imports to Korea 45,000 tons 2023.

Statistic 98

Brazil cotton 80,000 tons to Korea 2022.

Statistic 99

USA polyester chips $650 million to Korea 2023.

Statistic 100

Taiwan nylon filament 35,000 tons imported 2022.

Statistic 101

Thailand spandex 12,000 tons to Korea 2023.

Statistic 102

EU technical yarns $280 million imports 2022.

Statistic 103

Pakistan raw cotton 95,000 tons to Korea 2023.

Statistic 104

Turkey woolen yarns $150 million to Korea 2022.

Statistic 105

China acrylic fiber 75,000 tons imported 2023.

Statistic 106

Italy dyeing machines $180 million to Korea 2022.

Statistic 107

Malaysia palm oil based chemicals $120 million imports 2023.

Statistic 108

In 2022, South Korea's textile production totaled 1.45 million metric tons, with synthetic fibers comprising 78% of the output.

Statistic 109

South Korea produced 1.12 million tons of polyester filament yarn in 2023, marking a 3.2% increase from 2022.

Statistic 110

The output of nylon filament yarn in South Korea reached 185,000 tons in 2022, accounting for 12% of total filament production.

Statistic 111

In 2023, acrylic staple fiber production in South Korea was 142,000 tons, down 1.5% year-over-year due to market shifts.

Statistic 112

South Korea's woven fabric production volume stood at 920 million square meters in 2022.

Statistic 113

Knitted fabric output in South Korea hit 1.28 billion square meters in 2023, with polyester knits at 65% share.

Statistic 114

Apparel production in South Korea totaled 450 million units in 2022, primarily functional sportswear.

Statistic 115

Technical textiles production grew to 350,000 tons in 2023, representing 24% of total textile output.

Statistic 116

Cotton yarn production in South Korea was 45,000 tons in 2022, a 5% decline from previous year.

Statistic 117

Spandex fiber output reached 28,000 tons in 2023, up 4.8% driven by athleisure demand.

Statistic 118

Nonwoven fabric production in South Korea amounted to 210,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 119

Polyester staple fiber production was 320,000 tons in 2023, with 40% for export.

Statistic 120

Wool fabric output stood at 12 million square meters in 2022.

Statistic 121

Denim fabric production reached 85 million meters in 2023.

Statistic 122

Home textile production volume was 150 million units in 2022.

Statistic 123

Automotive textile output grew to 95,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 124

Medical textile production hit 45,000 tons in 2022, boosted by PPE demand.

Statistic 125

Rayon filament yarn production was 18,000 tons in 2023.

Statistic 126

Viscose staple fiber output totaled 25,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 127

Linen fabric production reached 8 million meters in 2023.

Statistic 128

Silk yarn production was 1,200 tons in 2022.

Statistic 129

Carpet and rug output stood at 22 million square meters in 2023.

Statistic 130

Towel production volume was 120 million units in 2022.

Statistic 131

Curtain fabric output reached 45 million meters in 2023.

Statistic 132

Bedding production totaled 35 million sets in 2022.

Statistic 133

Sportswear garment output was 180 million pieces in 2023.

Statistic 134

Underwear production hit 250 million units in 2022.

Statistic 135

Socks output reached 1.2 billion pairs in 2023.

Statistic 136

Gloves production volume was 450 million pairs in 2022.

Statistic 137

Hat and cap production totaled 80 million units in 2023.

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From producing over 1.2 billion pairs of socks to weaving the high-tech fabrics powering global sportswear, South Korea's textile industry is a colossal and dynamic powerhouse defined by its staggering output of synthetic fibers and strategic pivot toward high-value technical applications.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, South Korea's textile production totaled 1.45 million metric tons, with synthetic fibers comprising 78% of the output.
South Korea produced 1.12 million tons of polyester filament yarn in 2023, marking a 3.2% increase from 2022.
The output of nylon filament yarn in South Korea reached 185,000 tons in 2022, accounting for 12% of total filament production.
In 2022, South Korea exported textiles and apparel worth $14.2 billion, a 2.1% rise from 2021.
Polyester yarn exports from South Korea reached $2.8 billion in 2023.
Apparel exports totaled $10.5 billion in 2022, with USA as top destination at 28%.
South Korea imported $8.7 billion in raw materials for textiles in 2022.
Cotton imports totaled 450,000 tons valued at $2.1 billion in 2023.
Synthetic fiber imports reached $3.5 billion in 2022.
South Korea's textile industry employed 145,000 workers in 2022.
Apparel manufacturing sector had 78,000 employees in 2023.
Fiber production employed 32,000 workers in 2022.
Textile industry revenue reached KRW 45 trillion in 2022.
Export revenue contributed 65% or KRW 29 trillion in 2023.
Domestic market sales KRW 16 trillion in 2022.

South Korea's textile industry is dominated by high-tech synthetic fibers and fabrics.

Employment

South Korea's textile industry employed 145,000 workers in 2022.
Apparel manufacturing sector had 78,000 employees in 2023.
Fiber production employed 32,000 workers in 2022.
Fabric manufacturing workforce totaled 45,000 in 2023.
Average monthly wage in textile industry was KRW 3.2 million in 2022.
Female workers comprised 58% of textile employment in 2023.
Youth employment (under 30) in textiles was 22% or 32,000 in 2022.
R&D personnel in textile firms numbered 12,500 in 2023.
Labor productivity per worker reached KRW 450 million in 2022.
Turnover rate in textile industry was 8.5% in 2023.
Overseas Korean textile workers totaled 15,000 in 2022.
Training programs trained 25,000 textile workers in 2023.
SMEs employed 92% of textile workforce (133,000) in 2022.
Large firms (over 300 workers) had 12,000 employees in 2023.
Gyeonggi province hosted 45% of textile jobs (65,000) in 2022.
Chungcheong region employment 28,000 textile workers 2023.
Jeolla province 18,000 textile employees in 2022.
Part-time workers 15% of total (22,000) in 2023.
Unionized workers 18% or 26,000 in textile sector 2022.
Accident rate per 1,000 workers was 2.1 in 2023.
Average age of textile workers 45.2 years in 2022.
Vocational high school graduates in textiles 4,500 annually 2023.
University textile majors enrolled 8,200 students in 2022.
Foreign workers in textiles 12,000 (8%) in 2023.
Disability employment quota met at 3.2% (4,600) in 2022.
Overtime hours averaged 28 per month per worker 2023.

Employment Interpretation

South Korea’s textile industry is a sprawling, aging, and surprisingly resilient ecosystem, where a predominantly female workforce in SMEs stitches together impressive productivity, all while navigating a tightrope of high turnover, modest wages, and a looming generational shift that its robust training programs and R&D investments are racing to address.

Exports

In 2022, South Korea exported textiles and apparel worth $14.2 billion, a 2.1% rise from 2021.
Polyester yarn exports from South Korea reached $2.8 billion in 2023.
Apparel exports totaled $10.5 billion in 2022, with USA as top destination at 28%.
Synthetic fabric exports hit $3.1 billion in 2023.
Knitwear exports from South Korea were $4.2 billion in 2022.
Woven apparel exports amounted to $3.8 billion in 2023.
Technical textiles exports grew to $1.9 billion in 2022.
Vietnam received 35% of South Korea's textile exports worth $5.0 billion in 2023.
China imported $2.4 billion in Korean textiles in 2022.
EU markets took $2.1 billion of Korean apparel exports in 2023.
Sportswear exports reached $2.7 billion in 2022.
Home textiles exports totaled $850 million in 2023.
Automotive textiles exports hit $650 million in 2022.
Medical textiles exports grew 15% to $420 million in 2023.
Socks exports from South Korea were $1.1 billion in 2022.
Underwear exports amounted to $950 million in 2023.
Japan imported $1.2 billion Korean textiles in 2022.
Bangladesh sourced $750 million in yarn from Korea in 2023.
USA apparel imports from Korea hit $3.0 billion in 2022.
EU technical textiles from Korea totaled $550 million in 2023.
Vietnam knitwear imports $1.8 billion from Korea in 2022.
China synthetic fiber imports $1.5 billion in 2023.
Indonesia received $600 million Korean fabrics in 2022.
Philippines apparel imports $450 million from Korea 2023.
Turkey yarn imports $350 million from Korea in 2022.
India technical textiles $280 million from Korea 2023.
Canada sportswear $220 million Korean exports 2022.
Australia home textiles $180 million from Korea 2023.
Russia automotive textiles $150 million Korean 2022.
UAE medical textiles $120 million from Korea 2023.
Mexico socks $95 million Korean exports 2022.
Brazil underwear $85 million from Korea 2023.
UK hats $75 million Korean exports 2022.

Exports Interpretation

While seemingly stitched together from humble socks and sportswear, South Korea's $14.2 billion textile industry is a technically sophisticated, globally integrated powerhouse, cleverly weaving everything from polyester yarn to medical fabrics into the very fabric of the world's wardrobe and economy.

Financial and Market

Textile industry revenue reached KRW 45 trillion in 2022.
Export revenue contributed 65% or KRW 29 trillion in 2023.
Domestic market sales KRW 16 trillion in 2022.
Profit margin average 4.2% for textile firms in 2023.
R&D investment totaled KRW 1.8 trillion in 2022.
Capital investment KRW 3.2 trillion in new plants 2023.
Number of textile firms 5,200 in 2022.
Top 10 firms revenue KRW 22 trillion (49%) in 2023.
SMEs revenue KRW 23 trillion in 2022.
Market cap of listed textile firms KRW 15 trillion 2023.
Debt ratio average 180% for industry in 2022.
Inventory turnover 4.8 times per year in 2023.
E-commerce sales in textiles KRW 2.5 trillion 2022.
Brand value of Korean textiles $12 billion in 2023.
Sustainability investments KRW 850 billion in 2022.
Government subsidies KRW 450 billion for textiles 2023.
Patent filings 2,150 in textile tech 2022.
Venture capital in textiles KRW 320 billion 2023.
Stock price index for textiles up 5.2% in 2022.
ROE average 6.1% for textile companies 2023.
EBITDA margin 7.8% industry average 2022.
Tax revenue from textiles KRW 1.2 trillion 2023.
Insurance premiums for textile firms KRW 180 billion 2022.
CSR spending KRW 250 billion by industry 2023.

Financial and Market Interpretation

While Korea's textile industry spins a global success story with exports fueling over two-thirds of its hefty revenue, the fabric of the business is under significant strain, as firms navigate razor-thin profit margins, a towering average debt ratio, and a market where nearly half the revenue is woven by just ten large companies.

Imports

South Korea imported $8.7 billion in raw materials for textiles in 2022.
Cotton imports totaled 450,000 tons valued at $2.1 billion in 2023.
Synthetic fiber imports reached $3.5 billion in 2022.
Wool imports were 25,000 tons worth $450 million in 2023.
Machinery for textile production imports hit $1.2 billion in 2022.
Chemical dyes and auxiliaries imports totaled $950 million in 2023.
China supplied 62% of South Korea's textile raw material imports in 2022.
USA cotton exports to Korea $1.1 billion in 2023.
India provided 180,000 tons of cotton to Korea in 2022.
Australia wool imports to Korea 15,000 tons in 2023.
Japan machinery imports $450 million to Korea 2022.
Germany dyes imports $320 million to Korea 2023.
Vietnam synthetic staple fiber 120,000 tons imported 2022.
Indonesia viscose imports to Korea 45,000 tons 2023.
Brazil cotton 80,000 tons to Korea 2022.
USA polyester chips $650 million to Korea 2023.
Taiwan nylon filament 35,000 tons imported 2022.
Thailand spandex 12,000 tons to Korea 2023.
EU technical yarns $280 million imports 2022.
Pakistan raw cotton 95,000 tons to Korea 2023.
Turkey woolen yarns $150 million to Korea 2022.
China acrylic fiber 75,000 tons imported 2023.
Italy dyeing machines $180 million to Korea 2022.
Malaysia palm oil based chemicals $120 million imports 2023.

Imports Interpretation

South Korea's textile industry is a high-stakes global shopping spree, stitching together its competitive edge with billions spent on everything from American cotton and Chinese synthetics to Italian machines and German dyes, proving that to stay sharp in fashion, you must first master the art of the import receipt.

Production and Output

In 2022, South Korea's textile production totaled 1.45 million metric tons, with synthetic fibers comprising 78% of the output.
South Korea produced 1.12 million tons of polyester filament yarn in 2023, marking a 3.2% increase from 2022.
The output of nylon filament yarn in South Korea reached 185,000 tons in 2022, accounting for 12% of total filament production.
In 2023, acrylic staple fiber production in South Korea was 142,000 tons, down 1.5% year-over-year due to market shifts.
South Korea's woven fabric production volume stood at 920 million square meters in 2022.
Knitted fabric output in South Korea hit 1.28 billion square meters in 2023, with polyester knits at 65% share.
Apparel production in South Korea totaled 450 million units in 2022, primarily functional sportswear.
Technical textiles production grew to 350,000 tons in 2023, representing 24% of total textile output.
Cotton yarn production in South Korea was 45,000 tons in 2022, a 5% decline from previous year.
Spandex fiber output reached 28,000 tons in 2023, up 4.8% driven by athleisure demand.
Nonwoven fabric production in South Korea amounted to 210,000 tons in 2022.
Polyester staple fiber production was 320,000 tons in 2023, with 40% for export.
Wool fabric output stood at 12 million square meters in 2022.
Denim fabric production reached 85 million meters in 2023.
Home textile production volume was 150 million units in 2022.
Automotive textile output grew to 95,000 tons in 2023.
Medical textile production hit 45,000 tons in 2022, boosted by PPE demand.
Rayon filament yarn production was 18,000 tons in 2023.
Viscose staple fiber output totaled 25,000 tons in 2022.
Linen fabric production reached 8 million meters in 2023.
Silk yarn production was 1,200 tons in 2022.
Carpet and rug output stood at 22 million square meters in 2023.
Towel production volume was 120 million units in 2022.
Curtain fabric output reached 45 million meters in 2023.
Bedding production totaled 35 million sets in 2022.
Sportswear garment output was 180 million pieces in 2023.
Underwear production hit 250 million units in 2022.
Socks output reached 1.2 billion pairs in 2023.
Gloves production volume was 450 million pairs in 2022.
Hat and cap production totaled 80 million units in 2023.

Production and Output Interpretation

While South Korea's textile industry is clearly dressed for success with its colossal output of synthetics and technical fabrics, it's also carefully tailoring its future by threading innovation into every stitch, from athletic wear to automotive interiors, proving it's not just about covering the market but fundamentally reshaping it.

Sources & References

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