The footwear sector continued to record strong growth in 2015, with exports increasing by 21.8% to a total of 538 million US dollars. Cambodia’s garments sector also continued its strong growth, reaching export of 5.7 billion US dollars, a 6.5% increase on 2014’s figures.

The countries of the European Union (EU) were the main destination markets for footwear exports, with a 56% share, followed by the US, which represent a 18% share.

In 2015, combined garment and footwear exports accounted for 78% of the country’s total merchandise exports. This represented a slight decline from the 82% share in 2010.

The same report indicates the garment and footwear sector as Cambodia’s largest formal private sector employer, as it currently employs more than 620 000 workers, 86% of whom are female, and witha  large majority being relatively young.