Fashion Industry Statistics By Employees, Demographics and Environmental Impact

Introduction

Fashion Industry Statistics: The fashion industry is more than just clothing; it’s a lively mix of creativity, new ideas, and changing consumer habits. In this fast-paced world of fashion shows, Instagram stars, and eco-friendly fashion trends, it’s important to understand the basics of the industry. Whether you’re a fashion business owner, a new designer, or just someone who loves keeping up with styles, knowing fashion statistics will help you on your journey.

If you’re interested in learning about market trends, what consumers want, or innovations in sustainable fashion, get ready for some interesting Fashion Industry Statistics!

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• 34% of women workers have lost consciousness at work, and 28% have received glucose drips in the past year.
• The worldwide fashion industry is expected to grow by 68% from 2020 to 2025.
• The fashion industry is estimated to increase from $31.58 billion in 2021 to $40.84 billion by 2025.
• By 2030, we are expected to consume 102 million tons of clothing, up from 62 million tons.
• Shein, known for ultra-fast fashion, launches over 7,000 new products each day.
• CO2 emissions from apparel factories are projected to increase by 50% by 2030.
• Fashion Industry Statistics stated that almost 73% of the United States population is well aware of sustainability problems in fashion.
• Nearly 55% want to buy more sustainable clothing, but 49% are not sure where to find it.
• 30% of clothing shoppers say sustainability matters more to them now than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
• 57% of customers expect apparel brands to care about their workers’ health.
• 89% of customers don’t trust brands that claim to provide their materials sustainably.
• The global fashion industry is the largest part of the B2C eCommerce market, estimated at $768.7 billion in 2023, with a growth rate of 9.4% each year.
• Fashion eCommerce is expected to reach a total market size of $1,103.1 billion by the end of 2027.
• Asia is the biggest market for fashion eCommerce, followed by North America. In Asia, online fashion sales are predicted to exceed $680 billion by 2027.
• About 20% of global fashion retail sales come from online shopping. In regions like Europe, Oceania, and the United States, online sales make up 30% of total fashion retail sales.

General Fashion Industry Statistics

• The fashion industry is the 7th largest in the world, valued at $2.4 trillion.
• 1 in 6 workers around the globe is employed in the clothing sector.
• Every year, $500 billion in exact value is lost because clothing isn’t recycled or fully used.
• Fashion Industry Statistics stated that nearly 60% of clothes made each year end up in landfills.
• The fashion industry ranks second in rank as the largest polluter in the world, after the oil market.

(Reference: goodfirms.co)

• 60% of clothes are made from polyester, which is thrice harmful to the environment than cotton.
• Almost 36% of microplastics in the water bodies come from the fashion industry, with polyester making up 73% of that.
• Polyester can take 20 to 200 years to break down in landfills.
• The apparel market is the second largest user of water resources.

(Reference: enterpriseappstoday.com)

• It takes 1,900 gallons of water to make and clean one pair of popular pants.
• About 1.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water.
• The apparel market is responsible for 22% of worldwide wastewater, mostly from dyeing fabrics.
• Cotton farming accounts for 17% of all pesticide use worldwide.
• About 200 million trees are cut down each year to produce fabrics like cotton, hemp, and rayon.
• Only 4% of garment employees earn a living wage.
• Fashion Industry Statistics stated that almost 77% of major UK retailers believe modern slavery likely exists in their supply connections.
• Almost 500,000 kids, half of whom are under 14, work in the cotton industry in four Indian states that produce most of the country’s cotton.

Global Fashion Industry Statistics

• The global fashion market earned $1.53 trillion in 2022 and is expected to reach $1.7 trillion in 2023.
• In 2023, China was the top exporter of clothing, bringing in about $176 billion, followed by the E.U. with around $151 billion.
• From 2024 to 2028, global spending on clothing and shoes per person is predicted to rise by $60.5, reaching $414.6 by 2028.
• France is a leading market for apparel, scoring over 3,000 points in the Brand’s Countries IPX by IFDAQ, ahead of Italy at 2,800 points and the U.S. at 2,235 points.
• The luxury clothing market was valued at about $70 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $278 billion by 2031.

(Reference: uniformmarket.com)

• The fast fashion industry was charged at over $107 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $1865 billion by 2028.
• The global market for denim jeans is expected to hit about $95 billion by 2030, up from $64.5 billion in 2022.
• Fashion choices are changing quickly, with around 36% of U.S. consumers already buying items outside traditional gender categories. Additionally, 85% of Spanish shoppers are likely to buy gender-neutral clothing.
• The global sports apparel market was expected to exceed $200 billion in revenue in 2023, with growth projected to reach $294 billion by 2030.
• In 2023, the global clothing manufacturing industry reached a size of $718.6 billion, showing a 0.6% increase from the previous year.
• After a drop in sales during COVID-19 in 2020, the women’s clothing market experienced a significant growth of 28.9% from May 2021 to 2022, with an overall growth of 18.8%.

Employees in Fashion Industry Statistics

• As of 2023, about 33,242 fashion designers are working in the U.S. clothing market.
• The number of fashion designers in the U.S. grew by an average of 2.7% between 2018 and 2023.
• On average, fashion design businesses in the U.S. employ 1.2 people each.
• The apparel manufacturing industry had roughly 93,000 workers in 2022.
• Women make up 82.7% of all fashion designers, while men represent only 17.3%.
• The global apparel market employs more than 75 million fashion workers.
• As of May 2022, the five states with the most fashion designers are New York (7,130), California (6,320), Texas (1,440), Florida (670), and Oregon (490).
• Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Washington, New York, and California are the states that pay fashion designers the most in the U.S.

Revolution in Fashion Industry Statistics

While we still have a long way to go to meet our 2050 climate goals, the fashion industry is making some progress. Here are some key figures and predictions to keep us focused on sustainability:

(Source: pomp.store)

• 16% of brands say sustainability is the biggest opportunity in fashion, but they also need to tackle inflation challenges.
• Younger generations are more aware of sustainability and want to take action, but the rising cost of living is their top priority. 96% of Gen Z and Gen Y can’t afford the higher prices of sustainable brands.
• Half of the U.K. population would support a tax on online deliveries to help offset carbon emissions. Sustainability in fashion is a shared responsibility among brands, consumers, and governments.
• France is the first country to introduce climate-impact labeling with the AGEC law. Starting in 2023, brands with over €50 million in sales must provide information about a product’s reusability and traceability. Smaller brands will be added over the next two years.
• It is estimated that cutting down on overproduction could save 158 million tons of CO2 emissions. For brands, this means improving demand forecasting and managing inventory better. For everyday people, it means changing habits to make clothes last longer.
• Overall, brands still need to do much work to reduce their environmental impact, share clear information, and make sustainable fashion affordable.
• Fashion Industry Statistics show that Governments can also do more to regulate the industry and support sustainability initiatives.
• Most people, however, have the right attitude about making better choices for the planet.

Fashion Industry Demographics Statistics

• In 2023, sales growth in Europe, the U.S., and China is expected to be modest, with each region projected to grow by 2%. Optimistically, China could see a growth of 7%.
• North America has a significant share of global garment sales, with U.S. apparel sales estimated at $368 billion in 2020.
• Europe hosts many of the world’s largest fashion brands, and its clothing market was valued at around $307 billion in 2020, mainly driven by the UK, Germany, and France.
• The fashion industry in the Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest-growing, expected to reach $341 billion by 2020. China is the largest market, followed by South Korea and Japan.
• There is a growing demand for sustainable and socially responsible clothing in Latin America, particularly in Brazil. The market is projected to exceed $51 billion by 2020.
• Premium fashion brands are becoming increasingly popular, with their market expected to surpass $15 billion by 2020, especially in the UAE and the expanding markets in the Middle East and Africa.

(Source: ethicalbliss.com)

By Gender

Women:

• The women’s fashion market is enormous and expected to grow at a rate of 4.7% each year until 2025.
• It is predicted to exceed $165.4 billion by 2021. American women aged 35 to 44 spend about $960 annually on clothing, but only 20-30% of their wardrobes are worn regularly.

Men:

• Although men represent a smaller share of fashion sales, they still have a significant presence.
• The men’s fashion market, including grooming products and accessories, surpassed $85.5 billion in 2023.

Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary:

• Brands that cater to this audience are becoming more popular, especially among younger customers who prefer gender-neutral styles.

Diversity and Inclusion:

• The fashion industry is increasingly aware of the need for diversity and representation, addressing issues related to color and body type.

Ethical Fashion:

• This term can be difficult to define due to different standards.
• Ethical fashion focuses on sustainability, fair trade, and avoiding exploitation. Its growth is expected to exceed $3 billion each year from 2021 to 2025.

By Age

• Children’s Apparel: The market for children’s clothing was valued at about $169 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach $239 billion by 2023.
• Gen Z: Those born between 1997 and 2012 are becoming a key customer group, with a buying power of around $143.5 billion. They tend to favor brands that promote eco-friendly practices and social responsibility.
• Baby Boomers: This group (born between 1946 and 1964) remains an important market, often prioritizing comfort over current trends.
• Seniors: This is a growing segment, and people over 65 are focusing on utility and comfort when selecting clothing items.

Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry Statistics

• The global fashion industry produces 10% of all carbon emissions, which is more than what international flights and shipping generate combined.
• Fast fashion also contributes 10% to these emissions. It is the second-largest user of water in the world, consuming 93 billion cubic meters each year.

(Source: europarl.europa.eu)

• The industry releases 500,000 tons of synthetic microfibers into the ocean every year.
• Fashion Industry Statistics stated that fashion accounts for about 4% of global waste and 20% of global wastewater.
• It generates around 92 million tons of waste each year, with 85% of textiles ending up in landfills.
• Making one cotton shirt can use up to 2,700 liters of water.
• By 2030, water use in the fashion industry is expected to rise by 50%.
• The industry is responsible for about 35% of microplastic pollution in oceans.
• The average American throws away around 70-81 pounds of clothing each year.
• The global fashion industry is valued at $2.4 trillion.

(Reference: sanvt.com)

• The luxury fashion market is estimated to be worth $429.8 billion by 2025.
• The online fashion market is currently valued at $533 billion and is expected to grow to $100 billion by 2025.
• Overall, the fashion industry is predicted to grow to $2.25 trillion by 2025, generating $1.5 trillion in revenue each year.

Cosmetic Industry Statistics

• The global cosmetics market is set to reach $108.4 billion in 2024, which is a 4.43% increase from the previous year. This growth is slower than last year’s 11.55% rise.
• According to Fashion Industry Statistics, cosmetics will continue to be the third-largest source of revenue in the beauty market, making up 16.77% of total sales in 2024.

(Reference: oberlo.com)

• Personal care products lead with 43.76%, followed by skincare products at 28.88%.
• The cosmetics market generally grew from 2018 to 2028, except in 2020, when it dropped by 19.48% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Revenue fell from $89.88 billion in 2019 to $72.37 billion in 2020, the lowest level during this period, according to Fashion Industry Statistics.
• The market rebounded quickly, growing by 11.57% in 2021 to $80.74 billion and by 15.25% in 2022 to $93.05 billion.
• Analysts expect the cosmetics market to keep growing but at a slower rate. In 2025, it’s predicted to rise to $113.2 billion, with a growth rate of 4.43%.
• The growth is expected to speed up slightly in the next two years, reaching 4.68% in 2026 (totaling $118.5 billion) and 5.82% in 2027 (totaling $125.4 billion).
• The global cosmetics market is forecasted to hit $128.9 billion by 2028, making up 17.49% of the overall beauty market.
• Overall, from 2018 to 2028, the cosmetics market is expected to grow by $41.32 billion, or 47.18%, with an average annual growth rate of about 4.37%.

Fast Fashion Industry in Numbers

(Reference: bigfrenchies.com)

• The fashion industry’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is $2.4 trillion, making it the seventh-largest economy in the world. This is larger than Brazil’s economy and similar to that of France and the U.K.
• Luxury fashion is still the biggest part of this market.
• Fashion Industry Statistics stated that about 1 in 6 workers globally are employed in the garment industry.
• Before the year 2000, 56% of clothing sold in the U.S. was made in America.
• However, this number dropped sharply as fast fashion became more popular.
• Even though fewer American-made clothes are bought, people in the U.S. are purchasing more clothing overall.
• In the mid-1990s, the average American bought 28 garments each year, but by 2020, that number rose to 68.
• This increase is partly because each item of clothing is usually worn only seven times before being thrown away.

(Source: businessresearchinsights.com)

• Fast fashion leads to limited reuse, which is why the average American discarded about eight trash bags (or 82 pounds) of clothing in 2023.
• This adds up to around 14 million tons of clothing waste each year in the U.S., which is double the amount from 20 years ago.
• The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, an organization focused on promoting a circular economy, estimates that about $500 billion in potential value is lost each year because clothes are not recycled or fully utilized.
• The effects of fast fashion impact everyone, even those who buy longer-lasting clothing.

Conclusion

The fashion industry is a huge global market worth billions of dollars, playing a big role in jobs and the economy. It includes everything from fast fashion to luxury brands, changing with customer preferences and new technologies. However, like many industries, fashion faces challenges regarding social responsibility and environmental impact. More consumers are becoming aware of these issues, leading to a growing demand for inclusive and sustainable products.

Fashion companies that adapt to these trends are likely to succeed over time. By investing in eco-friendly materials, supporting diversity, and using new technologies, they can build loyal customers and help the industry grow. Being open about their practices and supply chains can also increase trust and contribute to a more ethical fashion industry. We have shed enough light on Fashion Industry Statistics through this article.

Pramod Pawar

Pramod Pawar brings over a decade of SEO expertise to his role as the co-founder of 11Press and Prudour Market Research firm. A B.E. IT graduate from Shivaji University, Pramod has honed his skills in analyzing and writing about statistics pertinent to technology and science. His deep understanding of digital strategies enhances the impactful insights he provides through his work. Outside of his professional endeavors, Pramod enjoys playing cricket and delving into books across various genres, enriching his knowledge and staying inspired. His diverse experiences and interests fuel his innovative approach to statistical research and content creation.

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