Global footwear production down by 1,5 billion pairs in 2023

According to statistics from the World Footwear Yearbook 2024, the annual analytical bulletin of the Portuguese Footwear Association, global footwear production fell by 6% last year, to 22,4 billion pairs. And global footwear exports decreased by 9,1% year-on-year, to 14 billion pairs, writes worldfootwear.on.

Global footwear production volume:

Last year's global footwear production was the lowest in a decade, excluding 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.

The loss of 1,5 billion pairs was due to lower consumption in major markets such as the US (-749 million pairs), China (-398 million pairs) and the European Union (-399 million pairs).

The footwear industry remains heavily concentrated in Asia, where nearly 9 out of every 10 pairs of shoes are produced, representing an 87,1% share of the global total.

China is the world's largest shoe manufacturer, producing 12,3 billion pairs in 2023 and capturing nearly 55% of the global market. India has increased its share and now accounts for 11,6% of the global total.
Shoe consumption in the world:

More than half of global footwear consumption occurs in Asia (54,7% in 2023). This share has increased over the year. The second and third global regions in terms of consumption were Europe and North America with shares of 13,9% and 13,4%, respectively.

Per capita shoe consumption ranges from 1,5 pairs in Africa to 4,6 pairs in North America.

China remains the leading consumer of footwear, although its share of the global total has fallen further to 17,1%. Consumption in the United States fell significantly, the country losing second place in the ranking of shoe consumer countries to India.

The European Union, when considered as one region, represents the third largest consumer footwear market, with a volume of 1 million pairs in 948.

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World footwear exports:

Global footwear exports in 2023 totaled 14 billion pairs in volume and $168 billion in value, representing a 9,1% and 6,1% year-on-year decline in trade volume and transaction value, respectively.

Over the past decade, excluding 2020, annual exports have fluctuated between 14 and 16 billion pairs, with no discernible long-term trend. By comparison, the value of footwear exports in 2023 rose to $168 billion, the second highest ever and representing a 24% increase over 2014 levels.

Amid this challenging situation, Asian countries have strengthened their dominance in global footwear trade, with their combined share rising to 84,6% from 83,9% in 2022. In contrast, Europe's share fell slightly to 12,8%.

China accounts for 63,8% of global footwear exports, over the year its share increased by 2,5%, Vietnam ranks second in the ranking of shoe exporting countries, this country accounts for 9,5%, Indonesia is in third place with a share of 3,2 .XNUMX%. These three countries together account for more than three-quarters of global footwear exports.

Average price for a pair of shoes:

The average export price per pair of shoes reached $2023 in 12, up 3,2% from 2022, up 38,8% over the past decade. Over this decade, textile shoes showed the most significant increase in price, up 65%. Prices for leather shoes have increased by 24% over the past decade.

Leather shoes lead exports by value, but rubber and plastic lead by volume

Leather footwear accounts for 38% of global exports by value due to its higher average price. But in pairs, rubber and plastic shoes account for half of the world's exports.