2024: Footwear Production Rebounds, Exports Rise in Volume but Not in Value
APICCAPS has released the 15th edition of the World Footwear Yearbook, offering in-depth analysis of global footwear trends.
Global Footwear Production Recovers
In 2024, global footwear production rebounded, increasing by 6.9% and regaining the 1.5 billion pairs lost in 2023. Footwear exports also improved in volume, rising by 4.6% compared to the previous year. However, the total export value remained nearly flat, growing by just 0.1%. According to data published in the World Footwear Yearbook 2025, recently released by APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear Association, global production reached 23.9 billion pairs, driven by higher consumption in key markets:
- United States: +168 million pairs
- China: +469 million pairs
- European Union: +121 million pairs
Although 14.8 billion pairs were exported worldwide (a 4.6% rise), the total value stayed at $170 billion, the second-highest level on record.
Global Rebounds: Footwear Production
Production in 2024 surged 6.9% to 23.9 billion pairs, recovering from the lowest level in a decade (excluding pandemic years 2020 and 2021). Asia still reigns supreme, manufacturing nearly 88% of the world’s footwear.
- China: 13 billion pairs (54% market share)
- India: 12.5% of global production
- Vietnam: 6.5% share
Gradual Consumption Growth Endures in Asian Footwear
Asia’s consumption accounted for 55.5% of global totals in 2024, up from the previous year. North America and Europe followed with 13.6% and 13.5% respectively.
Per capita consumption varied significantly:
- Africa: 1.4 pairs
- North America: 4.8 pairs
Top consumers by share:
- China: 18.6%
- India: 13.3%
- United States: 9.8%
- European Union: 2,069 million pairs
2024 Global Footwear Exports: China Continues to Lose Share
Export volume rose 4.6%, signaling a steady trade recovery. Asia accounted for 85.1% of total exports — a slight increase from a decade ago.
From 2015 to 2024, global exports:
- Grew 1.2% in volume
- Jumped 31.4% in value (from $129.2 billion to nearly $170 billion)
China remains the top exporter with 62.2%, though down from 63.8% in 2023. Vietnam (10.7%) and Indonesia (4.1%) follow, with these three countries controlling over 75% of global footwear exports. After a Decade of Growth, Average Export Footwear Price Dips to $11.47. From 2015 to 2023, average export prices climbed from $8.83 to $11.98 — a 36% jump due to rising costs, premiumization, and inflation. But in 2024, the average price dipped to $11.47, hinting at a potential shift in product mix or pricing strategies after two years of rapid growth.
With fresh data from 2024, the Yearbook maps out the key players across production, consumption, exports, and imports, while offering market-specific insights from 84 countries. It also presents strategic outlooks for global footwear brands, making it an essential read for anyone looking to understand the shifting dynamics of the international footwear landscape.
