According to the World Footwear Yearbook 2025, published by APICCAPS (the Portuguese Footwear Association), global footwear production experienced a strong recovery in 2024. Output rose by 6.9% to 23.9 billion pairs, offsetting the 1.5 billion pairs lost in 2023. This marks a return to growth after the sharp downturn of the previous year, which had been the lowest point in a decade—excluding the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.
Production remains overwhelmingly concentrated in Asia, which manufactures 88% of the world’s footwear, meaning nearly 9 out of every 10 pairs come from the region.
China continues to dominate the global market, producing 13 billion pairs in 2024, representing just over 54% of worldwide output.
India further strengthened its position, now accounting for 12.5% of global production.
Vietnam holds third place with a 6.5% share of the market.
The latest data underscores Asia’s central role in the footwear industry, while also highlighting the gradual rise of India and Vietnam as increasingly important players alongside China.