Global Footwear Market Set for Growth to 17 Billion Pairs and $274.7 Billion by 2035

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The global footwear market is forecast to grow to 17 billion pairs (volume) and $274.7 billion (value) by 2035, following a recent period of contraction. In 2024, consumption declined to 15 billion pairs, while the market value rose to $209.6 billion. China is the dominant producer and consumer, while the United States is the largest importer. Leather footwear holds the highest market value, but textile footwear is experiencing the fastest growth in both consumption and trade value. Global trade dynamics show rising import prices and shifting export shares among key producing nations.

Key Findings

• Global footwear market is projected to reach 17B pairs ($274.7B) by 2035 after recent declines
• China, the US, and India are the top consuming countries by volume, while China, the US, and Indonesia lead in value
• Leather footwear commands the highest market value, but textile footwear consumption is growing fastest
• China dominates production and exports, but Vietnam and others are gaining export share
• The United States is the world's largest importer, with average global import prices rising to $15 per pair

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for footwear worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 17B pairs by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $274.7B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

World's Consumption of Footwear

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded decline in consumption of footwear, which decreased by -2.8% to 15B pairs in 2024. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at 21B pairs in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global footwear market size rose to $209.6B in 2024, growing by 3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, posted a pronounced expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $342B. From 2019 to 2024, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were China (2.1B pairs), the United States (1.9B pairs) and India (876M pairs), together accounting for 33% of global consumption. Indonesia, Brazil, Japan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +6.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest footwear markets worldwide were China ($37.4B), the United States ($27.6B) and Indonesia ($10.6B), with a combined 36% share of the global market. India, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Germany and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, India, with a CAGR of +13.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of footwear per capita consumption in 2024 were the United States (5.7 pairs per person), Japan (4.9 pairs per person) and Turkey (4.6 pairs per person).

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +5.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap (6.1B pairs), footwear with uppers of textile materials (4.3B pairs) and leather footwear (3.6B pairs), with a combined 94% share of global consumption.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consumed products, was attained by footwear with uppers of textile materials (with a CAGR of +1.6%), while consumption for the other products experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, leather footwear ($119.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by footwear with uppers of textile materials ($41.3B). It was followed by footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of leather footwear market amounted to +1.4%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: footwear with uppers of textile materials (+6.9% per year) and footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap (+2.8% per year).

Production

World's Production of Footwear

In 2024, approx. 19B pairs of footwear were produced worldwide; approximately reflecting the year before. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 3.9% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 20B pairs in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, footwear production expanded slightly to $187.8B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 29%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $210.9B. From 2015 to 2024, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (11B pairs) constituted the country with the largest volume of footwear production, accounting for 56% of total volume. Moreover, footwear production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Vietnam (1.1B pairs), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (988M pairs), with a 5.1% share.

In China, footwear production declined by an average annual rate of -1.4% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Vietnam (+5.1% per year) and India (+5.5% per year).

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap (9.1B pairs), footwear with uppers of textile materials (5.6B pairs) and leather footwear (3.6B pairs), together accounting for 95% of global production.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for footwear with uppers of textile materials (with a CAGR of +2.5%), while production for the other products experienced a decline in the production figures.

In value terms, the largest types of footwear in terms of market size were leather footwear ($98.8B), footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap ($54.9B) and footwear with uppers of textile materials ($49.5B), together accounting for 96% of global production.

Footwear with uppers of textile materials, with a CAGR of +7.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main produced products over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World's Imports of Footwear

In 2024, supplies from abroad of footwear decreased by -5.4% to 7.9B pairs, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports showed a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at 9.3B pairs in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, footwear imports totaled $120.8B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 19%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $126.1B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2024, the United States (1.8B pairs) was the largest importer of footwear, generating 22% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Japan (569M pairs) and Germany (390M pairs), together mixing up a 12% share of total imports. The Netherlands (317M pairs), the UK (284M pairs), France (243M pairs), Italy (220M pairs), China (193M pairs), Poland (170M pairs) and Spain (169M pairs) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to footwear imports into the United States stood at -1.6%. At the same time, China (+12.6%), Japan (+4.6%), the Netherlands (+4.4%) and Poland (+4.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, China emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +12.6% from 2013-2024. By contrast, Italy (-1.5%), Germany (-2.4%), France (-4.9%), Spain (-5.2%) and the UK (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Japan (+3.4 p.p.), China (+1.9 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2013-2024, the share of France (-1.5 p.p.) and the UK (-2.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($21.1B), Germany ($11.1B) and France ($7.1B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together comprising 33% of global imports. The Netherlands, Italy, China, Poland, the UK, Japan and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +13.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap (3.6B pairs) and footwear with uppers of textile materials (2.6B pairs) represented the key types of footwear in 2024, recording near 45% and 32% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by leather footwear (1.6B pairs), mixing up a 21% share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for footwear with uppers of textile materials (with a CAGR of +0.4%), while purchases for the other products experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, leather footwear ($56.4B), footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap ($34.8B) and footwear with uppers of textile materials ($28.5B) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 99% share of global imports.

Footwear with uppers of textile materials, with a CAGR of +5.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average footwear import price stood at $15 per pair in 2024, growing by 7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 22%. Global import price peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was leather footwear ($35 per pair), while the price for footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap ($9.7 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by footwear with uppers of textile materials (+4.9%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average footwear import price stood at $15 per pair in 2024, picking up by 7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 22% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($29 per pair), while Japan ($6.9 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+10.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World's Exports of Footwear

In 2024, approx. 12B pairs of footwear were exported worldwide; approximately equating the previous year. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 13B pairs in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, footwear exports declined to $131.8B in 2024. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $137B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, resulting at 8.8B pairs, which was approx. 72% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Vietnam (878M pairs), comprising a 7.1% share of total exports. The following exporters - Germany (238M pairs), Turkey (228M pairs), the Netherlands (227M pairs) and India (193M pairs) - each reached a 7.2% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to footwear exports from China stood at -1.0%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+6.5%), Vietnam (+5.9%), India (+3.6%), Turkey (+3.5%) and Germany (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2013-2024. From 2013 to 2024, the share of Vietnam increased by +3.5 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($43.4B) remains the largest footwear supplier worldwide, comprising 33% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($18.4B), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.9% share.

In China, footwear exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Vietnam (+8.5% per year) and Germany (+9.3% per year).

Exports By Type

Footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap was the major type of footwear in the world, with the volume of exports finishing at 6.6B pairs, which was approx. 54% of total exports in 2024. Footwear with uppers of textile materials (3.8B pairs) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 31% share, followed by leather footwear (14%).

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for footwear with uppers of textile materials (with a CAGR of +2.0%), while shipments for the other products experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, leather footwear ($57.5B), footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap ($41.3B) and footwear with uppers of textile materials ($31.6B) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together accounting for 99% of global exports.

Among the main exported products, footwear with uppers of textile materials, with a CAGR of +6.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

The average footwear export price stood at $11 per pair in 2024, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded pronounced growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 121%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $18 per pair. From 2019 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was leather footwear ($34 per pair), while the average price for exports of footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap ($6.3 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by footwear of rubber or plastics, not waterproof, not sports, without a metal toe-cap (+4.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average footwear export price stood at $11 per pair in 2024, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a measured expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 121%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $18 per pair. From 2019 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($44 per pair), while Turkey ($4.1 per pair) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+6.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.