Global footwear production declines
The global footwear industry produced 22.4 billion pairs in 2023, a decline of 1.5 billion pairs compared to the previous year. This 6% decrease was attributed to reduced consumption in major markets, including China, the United States, and the European Union.
China is the world's leading footwear producer, accounting for approximately 55% of total production, with 12.3 billion pairs manufactured in 2023.
In terms of consumption, Asia led with 54.7%, followed by Europe (13.9%) and North America (13.4%). The top consumer countries were China, India, and the United States, according to the World Footwer Yearbook 2024 published by the Portuguese Footwear, Components, and Leather Goods Manufacturers' Association (APICCAPS).