The textile industry encompasses the design, manufacture, and marketing of fabrics, apparel, and other textile products. Since numerous nations depend on the production and export of textiles and clothing, this industry plays a major role in the global economy, influencing international development.
The industry is also extremely diversified with the fashion, home decor, and industrial sectors being highly dependent on it. At the same time, the textiles sector is the third largest employer in the world after food and housing.
In this article, we explore the top textile-exporting nations and the impact of this industry on their development. But first, let’s explore if the term “textiles” is synonymous with “clothes”, and what a “textile export” is.
What counts as a “textile export”?
A “textile export” refers to the international shipment and sale of textiles and textile-related goods from one country to another.
Britannica—the world’s most famous and oldest continuously published English-language encyclopedia—explains that “textiles” is a term that describes filament, fiber, or yarn, as well as the materials that are obtained from them. To note that textiles are not the same as clothes (also called apparel or garments), since the former are made from fibre, yarns and the like, while the latter are made of textiles.
In international trade, the two terms are often grouped under “textiles and clothing” because of their closely linked supply chains.
Globally, nearly 100 million people are employed in the textiles, apparel, leather and related products sectors, according to the International Labour Organisation.
Source: ILO
The role of textile exports in international development
For many developing nations, the textile and clothing sector represents a vital part of the economy, mostly because of the jobs it provides for numerous people, including the low-skilled workforce.
Besides, exports of textiles and apparel allow countries to participate in international trade, attract investment, upgrade infrastructure, and become part of global supply chains.
Small-scale farmers in the textile industry
Based on 2025 data provided by the International Labour Organisation, clothing and textiles accounted for 6% of all manufactured items shipped globally in 2022.
The production of raw materials is dominated by smallholder cotton farmers. Unfortunately, due to imperfect market systems, middlemen, and worldwide price volatility, small-scale farmers usually have little pricing control.
According to the Fair Trade Advocacy office report, 75% of cotton is produced by small-scale farmers, who face serious issues, including poor market access, insufficient funding, and poor infrastructure.
Women in the textile and clothing industry
In its report, the ILO mentioned that globally, around 90 million people are employed in the garment industry alone. The majority of those employed are women. In Asia (home to the world’s largest textile and clothing exporters), around 75% of clothing industry workers are women.
For instance, Bangladesh (the second-biggest exporter of clothing in the world) is home to around four million workers, and women make up about 80% of the workforce, according to the Economics Observatory.
Although it is one of the more “feminized” manufacturing industries, women remain underrepresented in supervisory and higher-skilled positions and have to cope with salary disparities, poor working conditions, and limited promotion.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act
One policy lever that had a major impact on poor nations’ development is the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has permitted qualified sub-Saharan African nations to export clothing to the United States of America.
AGOA allows eligible nations from sub-Saharan Africa duty-free access to the U.S. market for more than 1,800 products.
The act contributed to improving the garment sectors in Lesotho, Kenya, and Ethiopia and other nations in the region.
However, because the act needs periodic renewal by Congress and was extended several times (despite the fact that initially it was meant to expire), manufacturers and investors are having a hard time planning long-term.
Textile market statistics
In 2025, the value of the global textile market was around US$1.1 trillion, according to estimations from Grand View Research. The sector has seen steady growth since 2023 and experts believe it will continue growing, reaching US$1.6 trillion by 2033. Between 2026 and 2033, its Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is expected to be around 4.2%.
This growth can be explained by several factors, including the significant development of the fast fashion industry, increasing urbanization, population growth, and, not least, influencer-led marketing.
Source: Grand View Research
Natural fibers are the most popular on the market, holding a share of 44.7% (2025). The leading textile—cotton— had a share of 39.2%. It is widely used in the apparel and home textiles sectors, and continues to remain the top choice due to its biodegradability and eco-friendly perception.
In 2025, the fashion segment was the one to drive the textile market, owing to strong global demand for garments. Its revenue market share was 72.7%.
The world’s biggest textile exporters
The growth of the textile market can be explained by several factors, including:
- A growing population and the subsequent increase in the demand for textiles.
- Governments’ support in countries with developed textile industries.
- Restrictions on plastic use, which stimulate innovations in the industry.
Today, the Asia-Pacific region is the leading textile market in the world. In 2025, the region registered a market share of 49.9%.
Which countries export the most textiles?
To answer this question, we used data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) using its analytical tool to understand the dynamics of economic development. The dataset offers details on the total export value per nation. The table below provides insights into the top five countries boasting the largest volumes of exported textiles.
Top 10 exporters of textiles and garments (2024)
*Bangladesh’s exports are predominantly ready-made garments, not raw textiles.
China topped the list of the biggest textile exporters with an export value of US$268 billion, followed by Bangladesh with US$52.9 billion and Vietnam with US$49.8 billion.
Among the major importers of textiles in 2024, OEC lists the United States (US$118 billion), Germany (US$58 billion), and France (US$34.8 billion).
Which countries are the largest textile exporters, and what environmental costs does the growth in “fast fashion” bring? Let’s dive a little deeper into each of these five nations.
1. China
Value of textile exports: US$268 billion
China surpassed every other country on the list by a mile in terms of textile export value, hitting US$268 billion, representing around 32% of all global textile exports.
Today, nearly 8 million people in China are involved in the textile industry, 60% of whom are women.
Local marketplaces supply the majority of the raw materials, and a large part of the products are manufactured for the domestic market.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in China
Approximately 26 million tons of clothing are discarded annually, which end up in landfills. Moreover, synthetics, which make up 70% of domestic apparel sales in China, are made from petrochemicals that are linked to air and water pollution.
However, the country has initiated a number of programs that aim to establish a waste textile recycling system by 2025 with the goal of generating 2 million metric tons of recycled fiber annually and recycling 25% of its textile waste.
China’s key garment/textile export markets
Source: Asia Garment Hub
It’s worth noting that China is not only the largest exporter of textiles and clothing, but a large importer as well (mostly from other Asian developing countries, including Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and India). In 2024, the value of apparel imports into the country exceeded US$10 billion (in 2010, this figure stood at US$2.1 billion), according to Professor Sheng Lu from the University of Delaware.
The growing tariffs and policy uncertainty in the U.S. after Donald Trump’s second Presidential term have affected shipments to established markets like the US. This made China a strategically vital alternative export target for these nations, says the professor.
2. Bangladesh
Value of textile exports: US$52.9 billion
The textile industry plays a crucial role in the economy of Bangladesh, with around 4.5 million people, mostly women (57%), employed in the industry.
Bangladesh has grown into a global leader in the apparel industry since the 1980s. Ready-made clothing exports currently contribute more than US$36 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, amounting to around 8% of the GDP and 81% of all exports.
As Bangladesh looks forward to leaving its Least Developed Country (LDC) status, it will need to become more competitive by improving product quality and meeting international labour and environmental rules, outlined by Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue of Bangladesh.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in Bangladesh
Since the industry is experiencing constant growth, its impact on the environment is increasing. Activities such as dyeing and printing require heavy water and energy consumption levels and involve high concentrations of chemicals.
However, Bangladesh is taking steps to adapt its governance framework to the fast-growing textile industry, focusing on staff training, better regulations, the use of the best available techniques, and continuing stakeholder dialogue on sustainability.
The nation’s key export markets are the European Union and the United States. The former received over 40% of Bangladesh’s ready-made clothing exports in 2024, while the latter 18%.
Bangladesh’s key garment/textile export markets
Source: Asia Garment Hub
3. Vietnam
Value of textile exports: US$49.8 billion
The textile industry provides locals with secure jobs and decent pay, which in turn attracts new employees and expands industry output thus stimulating growth. Currently, it is one of the factors that is contributing to a decrease in poverty and a rise in the socio-economic development of the nation.
Today, there are about 800 factories operating in Vietnam that work for direct export to various retailers. Around 70% of the workforce are young women, and most are internal migrants from rural regions of the country.
Vietnam ships its apparel to 138 markets globally. The textile and garment sector is heavily reliant on imported raw materials, which is the nation’s structural challenge. By 2030, the country plans to shift toward sustainability, digitalization, and higher value-added production, as outlined in Vietnam Briefing.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in Vietnam
Large volumes of water and energy are used in resource-intensive industrial processes, which also lead to a great deal of waste and high greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, 10% of the factories are making the green shift with 50% having taken the first steps, and around 40% thinking about it.
Vietnam’s key garment/textile export markets
Source: Asia Garment Hub
4. India
Value of textile exports: US$39.2 billion
The textile industry plays an important role in the economy of India and enjoys a huge raw material base, together with strong capabilities in all stages of textile production, from raw material processing to finished products.
More than 45 million people are part of the Indian textile industry, with over a hundred million also being involved in it indirectly.
Through focused national initiatives like the Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (MITRA) Park scheme, the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), and the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP), the country’s authorities have been proactive in helping the industry to maintain competitiveness and draw investment.
The latest government data says that the textile and clothing sector accounts for roughly 2% of India’s GDP – approximately US$79 billion (India’s current US$ GDP – US$3.96 trillion, according to the World Bank). Every year, the industry produces about 22,000 million articles of clothing.
Handloom cottage industry in India
With about 3,145,000 handloom households, India’s handloom cottage industry continues to be one of the nation’s biggest sources of traditional self-employment. Since the sector is somewhat unorganized, the government provides assistance via the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and the Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS).
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in India
The nation’s textile industry causes serious problems to the environment due to heavy pollution, along with toxic materials that penetrate the soil. However, to solve the issue, India is adopting energy-efficient technology, recycling programs, and biodegradable materials.
India’s key garment/textile export markets
Source: Asia Garment Hub
5. Italy
Value of textile exports: US$36.3 billion
Among all European nations, Italy tops the list when it comes to textiles and clothing manufacturing. The country exports its high-quality products around the globe, with the major destinations being the EU, particularly France, Germany, and Spain, as well as the United States and China.
According to experts, the local industry boasts around 50,000 producers employing 400,000 people.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in Italy
According to a study by Erion, IPLA and the Politecnico di Milano, around 946,000 tons of textiles, electronics, and batteries are thrown into the country’s mixed domestic waste each year rather than being recycled.
At the same time, 15-20% of textile waste in Italy is collected separately, with the help of an efficient domestic sorting system. Moreover, Sistema Nazionale di Eco Score Tessile (SNET), a new proposal under review, can potentially become Italy’s national environmental scoring system for textiles (A-E scale).
Italy’s key garment/textile export markets
6. Turkey
Value of textile exports: US$35.1 billion
Turkey is among the major global leaders in textiles – ranking 6th worldwide. Textiles are one of the nation’s largest export categories. Germany, Spain, the U.S., the UK, and the Netherlands are the major exporting destinations for Turkish textiles and apparel.
Historically, the textile and apparel industry in the country has been one of the main economic drivers. Today, officially, it represents a source of income for around 1.1 million people. However, the industry unions consider the figure considerably underestimated since it doesn’t count the locals and numerous refugees who are not officially employed.
According to Turkey Today, in 2025 the European Union was still the major export target of Turkish textiles, with the value of shipments reaching US$4.5 billion. The country that imported the most was Italy (US$838 million).
Unfortunately, the latest data shows that the country’s textile and apparel industry face serious issues, with numerous people losing their jobs. Employment in textiles registered a 9.3% year-over-year decrease, while for apparel this figure reached 12.1%. One of the reasons is cited to be competition from Asian countries (particularly China and Bangladesh).
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in Turkey
The Turkish textile industry faces numerous environmental issues, including excessive use of water, water pollution, energy consumption, waste management, and a rather slow adoption of carbon reduction strategies.
But, according to the Journal of Economic, Business, and Finance Research report of 2024, the country is taking steps towards solving the problem, including advances in recycling and organic material use. However, the industry, and mainly small and medium-sized enterprises, will have to increase the pace in adopting eco-friendly technologies and improving resource efficiency.
Turkey’s key garment/Textile export markets
Source: OEC
7. Germany
Value of textile exports: US$33 billion
The nation’s textile and fashion industry is highly innovative and focuses a lot on exports. According to the latest data, its annual turnover is about 28 billion euros (~US$33 billion), with 1,400 companies employing around 124,000 workers.
For the most part, the country is home to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which balance between custom fashion and technical textiles. The latter are used in a variety of industries, including carmaking, aerospace, medical, and geotechnics. To note that the annual revenue of technical textiles is around 13 billion euros (US$15 billion).
The country’s exports mainly target other European markets, some of the largest ones being Poland, the Netherlands, Austria, France, and Belgium.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in Germany
Germany utilizes 1.56 million tons of textiles annually, or around 19 kg per person. Waste textiles total about one million tons. With that in mind, the nation emphasises the circular economy, using cross-cycling, which involves processing textiles for higher-quality uses in other industries.
Germany’s key garment/textile export markets
8. United States
Value of textile exports: US$22.1 billion
This industry offers employment opportunities in the United States, especially in rural areas. In addition, textiles and garments are crucial for national defense, for which it supplies annually a portfolio of over 8,000 various products, according to the National Council of Textile Organizations.
In 2025, the industry’s supply chain included over 450,000 workers. The total value of exports in 2024 exceeded US$22 billion, with the largest target countries being Mexico, Canada, China, Honduras, and Vietnam.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in the United States
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the local textile industry is a significant contributor to waste, mostly post-consumer, which includes thrown-away clothing, towels, carpets and the like. All of them accounted for 17 million tons (as of 2018 – the latest detailed national breakdown available at the moment).
The recycling rate for the mentioned period was around 14.7%.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a number of federal agencies have launched a variety of programs aimed at reducing textile waste and promoting textile recycling. For example, in 2021, the United States Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology hosted a symposium (visited by members from business, academia, government, and trade associations) that aimed to inform consumers about minimizing textile waste.
United States’ key garment/textile export markets
9. Pakistan
Value of textile exports: US$19.5 billion
Pakistan is among the ten largest textile exporters in the world, holding a global share of 2%, and contributing 8.5% to the national GDP. The textile sector accounts for 46% of the overall manufacturing sector, with nearly half of the working population being employed in it, according to official sources.
Nearly all natural and synthetic yarns and fabrics, such as cotton and rayon (a textile fiber made from regenerated cellulose), have a supply base in Pakistan.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in Pakistan
Between 2000 and 2020, Pakistan’s share of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions rose from 0.68% to 0.96%. Data from the UNCTAD shows that the textile industry accounts for around 6% to 9.5% of Pakistan’s GHG emissions.
The textile and garments industry needs a lot of water and energy resources. Historically, Pakistan relied on coal to generate electricity. In addition, wastewater that results from dyeing, along with chemical waste, pollutes waterways, impacting the surrounding communities.
Today, with the focus being shifted to eco-friendliness, the nation focuses on recycling. According to the report published by the World Trade Organization, waste and byproducts are recycled along the supply chain.
Pakistan’s garment/textile export markets
10. Cambodia
Value of textile exports: US$16.6 billion
The nation’s textile and apparel industry accounts for around 30% of GDP, and it shows the fastest growth rate among all of the other industries, according to official sources.
The number one product dominating the sector’s exports is garments, with footwear registering the fastest increase.
The major importer of Cambodia’s apparel is the United States, followed by Germany, Spain, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Environmental concerns connected to the textile industry in Cambodia
According to the SWITCH-Asia report (a program funded by the European Union), around 140,000 tons of waste are produced each year by Cambodia’s textile industry. At the same time, the regular use of such toxic substances as asbestos and mercury in the supply chains seriously affects people involved in the industry and ecosystems.
Authorities have taken several steps aimed at solving the issue. For instance, in January 2026, the Ministry of Environment of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in partnership with the UNDP-Cambodia and the UNEP, announced the start of the program entitled “Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains Integrated Programme in Cambodia.” This is a program aimed at eliminating hazardous chemicals and helping the country switch to a circular, green supply chain.
Cambodia’s garment/textile export markets
Final thoughts
The textile industry will continue to register growth over the next decade, with a number of factors directly contributing to this, including growing demand for clothing and technical improvements.
The Asia-Pacific region is by far the largest textile-producing and exporting region, where the textile industry serves as a vital element of the local economy of many nations.
