In 2024, footwear production recovered, but export value declined

In 2024, global footwear production recovered, increasing by 6.9% and recovering the 1.5 billion pairs lost in 2023. This recovery was driven by increased consumption in key markets, including the United States (+168 million pairs), China (+469 million pairs) and the European Union (+121 million pairs). Footwear exports also improved in volume, increasing by 4.6% compared to the previous year. However, the total value of exports remained virtually unchanged, with growth of 0.1%. These are some of the main conclusions of the data published in the World Footwear Yearbook 2025, published by APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear Association.  The footwear industry remains heavily concentrated in Asia, where almost 9 out of 10 pairs of shoes are produced, accounting for 88% of global production. China continues to be the world’s largest footwear producer, with 13 billion pairs produced in 2024 and just over 54% of the global market share. India has further increased its share, now accounting for 12.5% of global production. Vietnam ranks third, with a 6.5% share.

GROWTH IN ASIAN FOOTWEAR CONSUMPTION ENDURES

In 2024, Asia’s footwear consumption accounted for more than half of the global total (55.5%), reflecting an increase over the previous year. North America and Europe followed, with shares of 13.6% and 13.5%, respectively. Per capita footwear consumption varies significantly across regions — from just 1.4 pairs in Africa to 4.8 pairs in North America. China remains the world’s leading consumer of footwear, having strengthened its share to 18.6% of global consumption. India follows with 13.3%, while the United States maintains its position in third place with a stable share of 9.8%.The European Union, considered as a single region, ranks fourth, with 2 069 million pairs consumed in 2024. 
GLOBAL FOOTWEAR EXPORTS INCREASE IN 2024; CHINA CONTINUES TO LOSE SHARE

In 2024, global footwear exports increased by 4.6% in volume compared to the previous year, signalling a steady recovery in international trade. Asiaremained the dominant player, accounting for 85.1% of total exports — slightly above the 84.5% share recorded a decade earlier.Between 2015 and 2024, global footwear exports grew modestly in volume – up by 1.2% – but surged by 31.4% in value, rising from $129.2 billion to nearly $170 billion.Asian countries consolidated their dominance in the global footwear trade, with their collective share increasing from 84.6% in 2023 to 85.1% in 2024. Conversely, Europe’s share declined slightly to 12.6%.China remains the leading exporter, accounting for 62.2% of total exports, although its share continues to decline (down from 63.8% in 2023). Vietnamranks a distant second with 10.7%, followed by Indonesia at 4.1%. Together, these three countries account for more than three-quarters of global footwear exports. 
AFTER A DECADE OF STEADY GROWTH, THE AVERAGE EXPORT PRICE OF FOOTWEAR DIPPED TO $11.47
Over the past decade, the average export price of footwear rose significantly — from $8.83 per pair in 2015 to a peak of $11.98 in 2023 — marking a 36% increase. This upward trend reflected rising production costs, a shift toward higher-value products, and inflationary pressures across global supply chains. However, in 2024, this trend saw its first notable reversal, with the average price dipping to $11.47. This decline may indicate an adjustment in product mix or pricing strategies following two years of sharp value growth.