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Asia accounts for more than half of global footwear consumption
In 2020 Asia’s consumption accounted for more than half (55.8%) of the grand total worldwide. After being the major manufacturing hub for the footwear world, now Asia is also playing a key role in the consumption side. Data is taken from the World Footwear 2021 Yearbook just released by APICCAPS, the Portuguese Footwear Association
The COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on footwear consumption in the advanced economies of North America and Europe, contributing to the shortening of the gap between per capita consumption across continents. Nonetheless, there are still important geographic differences in consumption patterns.
Per capita footwear consumption varies from between 1.5 pairs in Africa to 4.3 pairs in North America.
In 2020 Asia’s consumption accounted for more than half (55.8%) of the grand total worldwide. Europe and North America followed with 13.6% and 13.1%.
The European Union, when taken as one region, represents the fourth largest consumer market for footwear with 1.76 billion pairs consumed in 2020. Impacted by both Brexit and the pandemic, the European Union has dropped two positions in the rankings.
At country level, the distribution of consumption continues gradually to reflect that of the population. Whether this is a structural change in consumer behaviour or whether per capita consumption in advanced economies will rebound once the pandemic is overcome is a question to follow up.
The USA’s share fell below 10% of the world total for the first time.
China, on the other hand, exceeded the 20% threshold and, together with India, now accounts for almost one third of world consumption.
Find more information about the World Footwear 2021 Yearbook by clicking HERE
