GITNUXREPORT 2025

Shoe Industry Statistics

Global footwear market exceeds $365 billion, with growing sneaker and sustainable sectors.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The average person owns about 19 pairs of shoes

Statistic 2

Consumers are willing to spend an average of $140 on a high-quality pair of shoes

Statistic 3

The average lifespan of a typical pair of athletic shoes is about 500 miles of use

Statistic 4

The global footwear market was valued at approximately $365 billion in 2021

Statistic 5

The footwear segment accounts for roughly 26% of the total global apparel market

Statistic 6

The sneaker market alone was valued at around $78 billion in 2023

Statistic 7

Approximately 23 billion pairs of shoes are sold worldwide annually

Statistic 8

The U.S. footwear industry generated $78.2 billion in revenue in 2022

Statistic 9

The Asian footwear market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2027

Statistic 10

The resale market for sneakers is estimated to be worth over $2 billion annually

Statistic 11

Approximately 4.5 billion pairs of athletic shoes are sold annually worldwide

Statistic 12

Online footwear sales accounted for 37% of total shoe sales in 2022

Statistic 13

Customized and bespoke shoes represent a growing niche, making up about 5% of the total footwear market

Statistic 14

The fashion footwear segment constitutes approximately 70% of total footwear sales

Statistic 15

The sustainable footwear market is projected to reach $8.4 billion by 2026

Statistic 16

The global orthopedics and therapeutic footwear market was valued at $12 billion in 2021

Statistic 17

Men's footwear sales are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4% through 2025

Statistic 18

Women's footwear sales account for about 55% of the global footwear market

Statistic 19

The footwear industry contributes to approximately 2.3% of global textile manufacturing emissions

Statistic 20

The footwear industry employs around 1.5 million people globally

Statistic 21

Italy remains one of the top three producers of luxury footwear globally

Statistic 22

Approximately 60% of shoes manufactured globally are produced in Asia, particularly China and Vietnam

Statistic 23

Sustainable and eco-friendly footwear brands saw a 15% increase in sales during 2022

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Key Highlights

  • The global footwear market was valued at approximately $365 billion in 2021
  • The footwear segment accounts for roughly 26% of the total global apparel market
  • The sneaker market alone was valued at around $78 billion in 2023
  • Approximately 23 billion pairs of shoes are sold worldwide annually
  • The average person owns about 19 pairs of shoes
  • The U.S. footwear industry generated $78.2 billion in revenue in 2022
  • The Asian footwear market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2027
  • Consumers are willing to spend an average of $140 on a high-quality pair of shoes
  • The resale market for sneakers is estimated to be worth over $2 billion annually
  • Sustainable and eco-friendly footwear brands saw a 15% increase in sales during 2022
  • Approximately 4.5 billion pairs of athletic shoes are sold annually worldwide
  • The footwear industry employs around 1.5 million people globally
  • The average lifespan of a typical pair of athletic shoes is about 500 miles of use

With a staggering $365 billion valuation in 2021 and a industry booming with innovation, sustainability, and global growth, the shoe industry is stepping into a future that touches every corner of our lives—from sneaker trades valued at over $78 billion to eco-friendly kicks gaining momentum worldwide.

Consumer Behavior and Spending Trends

  • The average person owns about 19 pairs of shoes
  • Consumers are willing to spend an average of $140 on a high-quality pair of shoes
  • The average lifespan of a typical pair of athletic shoes is about 500 miles of use

Consumer Behavior and Spending Trends Interpretation

With individuals amassing roughly 19 pairs of shoes and willing to invest $140 in quality, it’s clear that modern consumers value both style and durability, demanding athletic footwear that can go the distance of 500 miles before retirement.

Market Size and Valuation

  • The global footwear market was valued at approximately $365 billion in 2021
  • The footwear segment accounts for roughly 26% of the total global apparel market
  • The sneaker market alone was valued at around $78 billion in 2023
  • Approximately 23 billion pairs of shoes are sold worldwide annually
  • The U.S. footwear industry generated $78.2 billion in revenue in 2022
  • The Asian footwear market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2027
  • The resale market for sneakers is estimated to be worth over $2 billion annually
  • Approximately 4.5 billion pairs of athletic shoes are sold annually worldwide
  • Online footwear sales accounted for 37% of total shoe sales in 2022
  • Customized and bespoke shoes represent a growing niche, making up about 5% of the total footwear market
  • The fashion footwear segment constitutes approximately 70% of total footwear sales
  • The sustainable footwear market is projected to reach $8.4 billion by 2026
  • The global orthopedics and therapeutic footwear market was valued at $12 billion in 2021
  • Men's footwear sales are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4% through 2025
  • Women's footwear sales account for about 55% of the global footwear market
  • The footwear industry contributes to approximately 2.3% of global textile manufacturing emissions

Market Size and Valuation Interpretation

With a $365 billion valuation and a sneaker resale market exceeding $2 billion, the global footwear industry strides confidently into a future where fashion, function, and sustainability must walk hand in hand—or risk being left behind in the closet.

Production and Manufacturing Insights

  • The footwear industry employs around 1.5 million people globally
  • Italy remains one of the top three producers of luxury footwear globally
  • Approximately 60% of shoes manufactured globally are produced in Asia, particularly China and Vietnam

Production and Manufacturing Insights Interpretation

With 1.5 million jobs worldwide, Italy's luxury footwear remains a symbol of craftsmanship, even as Asia—particularly China and Vietnam—dominates global production with about 60% of shoes, proving that in the shoe industry, it’s less about walking the walk and more about where the shoes are made.

Sustainability and Eco-friendly Initiatives

  • Sustainable and eco-friendly footwear brands saw a 15% increase in sales during 2022

Sustainability and Eco-friendly Initiatives Interpretation

The rise of a 15% sales boost in sustainable footwear signals that consumers are stepping up to mode their footprints greener, one stylish stride at a time.