Romania’s textile industry is balancing major workforce shifts with export momentum, from a 4.2 billion euros EU destination haul in 2022 to 2023 apparel growth of 12%. Behind those totals, the sector still shows sharp internal contrasts such as a 15% wage gap between men and women, 40% of workers over 45, and 10% remote work adoption after COVID. Let’s put all the labour, production, trade, and investment figures side by side to see what is changing and what is holding steady.
Key Takeaways
- Romania's textile sector employed 180,000 workers in 2022, down 2% from 2021
- Women comprised 72% of the textile workforce in Romania in 2023
- Average monthly wage in textiles was 1,200 euros gross in 2022
- Romania's textile exports to the EU reached 4.2 billion euros in 2022, with Germany as top destination at 1.1 billion euros
- Apparel exports grew 12% to 3.8 billion euros in 2023
- Textile fabric exports totaled 650 million euros in 2021, up 7% YoY
- FDI in textiles reached 500 million euros in 2022
- EU structural funds allocated 300 million euros for textile modernization in 2021-2027
- New factories: 15 opened in 2023, creating 8,000 jobs
- In 2022, Romania's textile industry produced 1.2 million tons of fabrics, representing a 5.2% increase from 2021
- Romania manufactured 250 million garments in 2023, with cotton-based apparel accounting for 42% of total output
- The value of Romania's knitted fabric production hit 850 million euros in 2021, up 8% year-over-year
- Market size of Romania's textile industry was 5.8 billion euros in 2022
- Apparel segment dominated with 65% market share in 2023
- CAGR of 4.2% projected for 2023-2028
Romania’s textile sector remains a major EU exporter, employing 180,000 workers in 2022 despite automation cuts.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment20 stats
01
Romania's textile sector employed 180,000 workers in 2022, down 2% from 2021
02
Women comprised 72% of the textile workforce in Romania in 2023
03
Average monthly wage in textiles was 1,200 euros gross in 2022
04
45,000 jobs in apparel manufacturing in 2021
05
Unemployment rate in textile regions like Bihor was 4.5% in 2023
06
Training programs reached 10,000 workers in 2022 via EU funds
07
25,000 migrant workers in textiles in 2021, mainly from Asia
08
Labor productivity grew 6% to 35,000 euros per worker in 2023
09
15,000 jobs lost due to automation in 2020-2022
10
Youth employment in textiles was 18% of total in 2022
11
Overtime hours averaged 50 per worker annually in 2021
12
30,000 workers in knitting subsector in 2023
13
Female managers in textiles: 35% in 2022
14
Seasonal employment peaked at 50,000 in summer 2021
15
Wage gap: men earned 15% more than women in 2023
16
12,000 apprentices trained in 2022
17
Strikes affected 5,000 workers in 2021
18
Remote work adoption: 10% in textiles post-COVID 2023
19
Aging workforce: 40% over 45 years in 2022
20
Union membership: 25% of textile workers in 2021
Interpretation
Employment Interpretation
Romania's textile industry is a sector held together by its resilient, predominantly female workforce, which is navigating a landscape of modest wages, gradual modernization, and persistent gender gaps, all while trying to stitch together its future against the threads of automation and an aging population.
02 · Category
Exports27 stats
01
Romania's textile exports to the EU reached 4.2 billion euros in 2022, with Germany as top destination at 1.1 billion euros
02
Apparel exports grew 12% to 3.8 billion euros in 2023
03
Textile fabric exports totaled 650 million euros in 2021, up 7% YoY
04
Exports to Italy amounted to 850 million euros in 2022, mainly knitwear
05
Home textile exports hit 280 million euros in 2023
06
Knitted apparel exports to France were 450 million euros in 2021
07
Total exports to USA reached 120 million euros in 2022
08
Yarn exports stood at 150 million euros in 2023
09
Footwear textile components exports totaled 200 million euros in 2021
10
Exports to UK post-Brexit were 300 million euros in 2022
11
Technical textiles exports grew to 180 million euros in 2023
12
Cotton fabric exports to Spain hit 90 million euros in 2021
13
Non-woven exports totaled 75 million euros in 2022
14
Denim exports to Germany were 120 million euros in 2023
15
Sportswear exports reached 250 million euros in 2021
16
Imports of raw textiles were 1.1 billion euros in 2022, mainly from Turkey
17
EU market share of Romanian apparel exports was 85% in 2023
18
Exports to Netherlands totaled 200 million euros in 2021
19
Synthetic yarn exports hit 80 million euros in 2022
20
Bedding exports to Austria were 50 million euros in 2023
21
Hosiery exports totaled 140 million euros in 2021
22
Curtain exports grew 15% to 70 million euros in 2022
23
Protective gear exports peaked at 100 million euros in 2020
24
Wool fabric exports to Belgium were 30 million euros in 2023
25
Geotextile exports reached 40 million euros in 2022
26
Lingerie exports to France hit 180 million euros in 2021
27
Total non-EU exports were 450 million euros in 2023
Interpretation
Exports Interpretation
Romania's textile industry has firmly stitched itself into the fabric of the European Union, becoming an indispensable supplier whose threads – from German denim to French lingerie – weave through the continent's wardrobe and homes, all while carefully managing its own reliance on imported raw materials.
03 · Category
Investments21 stats
01
FDI in textiles reached 500 million euros in 2022
02
EU structural funds allocated 300 million euros for textile modernization in 2021-2027
03
New factories: 15 opened in 2023, creating 8,000 jobs
04
Italian investments totaled 200 million euros in 2022
05
Green technology investments: 120 million euros in 2023
06
Machinery imports for textiles: 250 million euros in 2021
07
Turkish FDI: 80 million euros in spinning mills 2022
08
R&D spending in textiles: 50 million euros in 2023
09
Digitalization projects funded 100 million euros in 2021
10
20 greenfield investments in 2022
11
Chinese investments: 40 million euros in non-wovens 2023
12
Cluster developments received 70 million euros in 2021
13
Automation equipment purchases: 150 million euros in 2022
14
Solar panel installations in factories: 30 million euros invested 2023
15
Venture capital in textile startups: 20 million euros in 2021
16
Bank loans for expansion: 400 million euros in 2022
17
PFI schemes for infrastructure: 60 million euros 2023
18
Biotech textile R&D: 15 million euros funded 2021
19
Logistics center investments: 90 million euros in 2022
20
Recycling plant constructions: 25 million euros in 2023
21
E-commerce platform developments: 10 million euros 2021
Interpretation
Investments Interpretation
While Italy writes the checks and the EU sets the table, Romania is quite shrewdly stitching together a modern textile empire with digital threads and green seams, proving it's no longer just a humble tailor but a savvy fashion-tech industrialist.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production30 stats
01
In 2022, Romania's textile industry produced 1.2 million tons of fabrics, representing a 5.2% increase from 2021
02
Romania manufactured 250 million garments in 2023, with cotton-based apparel accounting for 42% of total output
03
The value of Romania's knitted fabric production hit 850 million euros in 2021, up 8% year-over-year
04
In 2020, Romania's non-woven fabrics output reached 180,000 tons, driven by medical textile demand
05
Romania produced 15 million square meters of technical textiles in 2022, focusing on automotive sector needs
06
Total textile fiber consumption in Romania was 95,000 tons in 2023, with synthetic fibers at 55%
07
Romania's apparel sector output value was 4.1 billion euros in 2022
08
In 2021, 120 million pairs of hosiery were produced in Romania
09
Wool yarn production in Romania totaled 12,000 tons in 2020
10
Romania's home textile production, including curtains, reached 300 million euros in 2023
11
Synthetic fiber manufacturing output was 65,000 tons in 2022
12
Romania wove 450 million meters of fabric in 2021
13
Denim production in Romania hit 20 million meters in 2023
14
Carpet and rug output value stood at 150 million euros in 2022
15
Romania's embroidery production reached 50 million items in 2021
16
Technical textile production grew to 200,000 tons in 2023
17
Knitwear output was 180 million pieces in 2022
18
Linen fabric production totaled 8,000 tons in 2021
19
Protective clothing production hit 10 million units in 2020 due to pandemic
20
Bed linen output value was 120 million euros in 2023
21
Silk yarn production in Romania was 2,500 tons in 2022
22
Towel manufacturing reached 40 million pieces in 2021
23
Felt production output was 25,000 tons in 2023
24
Sportswear production totaled 60 million garments in 2022
25
Curtain fabric weaving hit 100 million meters in 2021
26
Leather apparel production value was 80 million euros in 2023
27
Geotextile output reached 50,000 tons in 2022
28
Underwear production was 90 million pieces in 2021
29
Viscose fiber production totaled 15,000 tons in 2023
30
Romanian mills spun 300,000 tons of yarn in 2022
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
Romania's textile industry, it seems, is on quite the fabric-forward bender, weaving, knitting, and stitching its way to a robust economic wardrobe—from pandemic-era protective gear and life-saving medical textiles to the denim on your jeans and the carpets under your feet—all while spinning enough yarn each year to, quite literally, re-outfit the nation.
05 · Category
Trends20 stats
01
Market size of Romania's textile industry was 5.8 billion euros in 2022
02
Apparel segment dominated with 65% market share in 2023
03
CAGR of 4.2% projected for 2023-2028
04
Sustainable textiles grew 18% in demand 2022
05
E-commerce sales in textiles reached 15% of total in 2023
06
Fast fashion decline: 10% drop in low-end segment 2021
07
Organic cotton usage up 25% to 5,000 tons in 2022
08
Nearshoring boosted EU demand by 20% in 2023
09
Digital printing adoption: 30% of factories in 2022
10
Recycled polyester share: 12% of fibers in 2023
11
Luxury brand outsourcing increased 15% in 2021
12
Athleisure segment grew 22% post-COVID 2022
13
Smart textiles market: 50 million euros potential by 2025
14
Supply chain localization: 40% reduction in Asia imports 2023
15
Carbon footprint reduction target: 25% by 2030
16
Microplastic regulations impacted 10% of synthetics 2022
17
Customization via 3D knitting: 5% market penetration 2023
18
Vintage and upcycled fashion sales up 30% in 2021
19
Workwear demand surged 12% with hybrid work 2022
20
Biodegradable fibers introduced in 15% products 2023
Interpretation
Trends Interpretation
While Romania's textile industry stands confidently on a €5.8 billion foundation, clearly dressed for success with apparel dominating the runway, its future growth at a steady 4.2% hinges on a savvy wardrobe change—swapping fast fashion for sustainable threads, embracing digital prints and smart fabrics, and tailoring itself to a world demanding localized, eco-conscious, and personalized style.
Reference
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Romania Textile Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/romania-textile-industry-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Romania Textile Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/romania-textile-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Romania Textile Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/romania-textile-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
65 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level