Top 10 Garment Exporting Countries in the World 2024-2025
The global apparel market never stands still shifts in labour costs, trade policies, consumer demand and supply-chain strategies mean the leaders in garment exports can change subtly over time. For anyone curious about where most of the world’s clothes come from, tracking the “top exporters” offers fascinating insight.
Here’s a carefully researched rundown of the top 10 garment exporting countries in the world as of 2024–2025 and what makes each of them a global powerhouse.
Why Knowing the Garment Export Country List Matters
Understanding which countries top the garment-export ranking helps industry watchers, buyers, fashion brands and policy-makers. It reveals:
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Who holds manufacturing and supply-chain advantage
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Shifts in global sourcing strategies (e.g. diversifying away from one dominant source)
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Comparative costs, capabilities, and trade-policy impacts
In this article, we lean on recent trade data and insights from an established export data provider to present a realistic picture of the leading exporters.
Leading Global Giants- #1 to #5
China- the Undisputed Leader
China remains at the very top of the top garments exporter country in the world. In 2024, its textile and garment exports reportedly reached around US $301 billion.
Why China remains on top:
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Massive manufacturing infrastructure with vertical integration covering fibre, fabric and final clothing.
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Competitive pricing backed by economies of scale and low-cost, highly skilled labour.
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Diverse product range from basic cotton garments to advanced technical fabrics supplying markets across the world.
Bangladesh- the Powerhouse of Budget Apparel
Bangladesh holds the #2 spot among garment exporters globally. In recent years it has exported garments worth around US $38–48 billion.
Strengths of Bangladesh’s export model:
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Low labour and operational costs, making it ideal for high-volume basic clothing such as T-shirts, knitwear and basic apparel.
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Well-established ready-made-garment (RMG) industry that caters to global fast-fashion brands.
Vietnam- Rising Fast on Quality & Diversification
Vietnam is firmly in the top-tier of global garment exporters. As per recent data, its textile and garment exports in 2024 hit around US $44 billion.
What sets Vietnam apart:
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Skilled workforce and efficient factories with rising standards in quality and compliance.
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Growing diversification across product categories, including higher-value garments beyond basic apparel.
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Many global buyers shifting sourcing to Vietnam as costs rise in China making Vietnam an increasingly attractive “China-plus-one” destination.
Turkey- Bridge Between East and West
Turkey often ranks among the top 5 or top 10 garment-exporting countries, thanks to its strategic location bridging Asia and Europe. Historically its textile exports are substantial.
Why Turkey is important:
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Geographical proximity to European markets reduces lead times and shipping costs for many buyers in EU a competitive advantage over distant Asian exporters.
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Well-developed textile tradition, with capacity not just for mass apparel but also for fabrics, cotton-based goods and diversified product ranges.
India- Diverse Textiles and Growing Apparel Manufacturing
India remains a major player in global garment exports, combining a strong raw-material base (cotton, silk, wool, man-made fibre) with a diversified textile and apparel sector.
Key advantages:
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Wide variety of textile products from cotton and silk to blended and synthetic fabrics giving flexibility to global buyers.
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Increasing focus on boosting export competitiveness, especially with rising global demand for sustainable and organic textiles.
Other Significant Players – Rounding Up the Top 10
Beyond the top five, several countries consistently make it into the top garments exporter country list. They may not match the giants above in export volume, but they have niche strengths and contribute significantly to global apparel trade.
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Italy- Known for high-end fashion, quality fabrics, and luxury garments. Its textile and apparel exports benefit from strong design heritage and demand for premium clothing.
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Germany- Though more associated with technical textiles and industrial fabrics, Germany nevertheless appears among the prominent exporting countries globally.
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Indonesia- Emerging as a garment exporter, benefiting from growing manufacturing capacity and lower labour costs compared to many Western producers.
Cambodia- A rising name in the garment-export world. Though smaller in absolute numbers, its low-cost production and trade-policy advantages make it relevant.
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Pakistan- With a strong cotton-based textile industry, Pakistan remains among the top global exporters, especially in cotton garments and fabrics.
What Trends Are Shaping Garment Export Country Rankings
Understanding why certain countries lead helps predict future shifts. Key trends influencing the global ranking include:
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Shifting supply-chains (“China + 1” strategy): Many global buyers are diversifying sourcing away from one dominant country to reduce risk benefiting countries like Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
Cost vs. Quality trade-off: While low-cost producers like Bangladesh or Cambodia offer cheap basic garments, countries with better infrastructure and higher living standards (Vietnam, Turkey, Italy) increasingly cater to mid- to high-end apparel.
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Rising demand for compliance, sustainability and ethical sourcing: Buyers especially from Western markets are increasingly demanding certifications, transparency and responsible production; this benefits exporters with strong regulatory compliance.
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Diversification of product types: From basic T-shirts and jeans to technical textiles, activewear and light engineering garments countries that offer variety stand to gain more.
What This Garment Export Country List Tells Buyers & Industry Watchers
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The garment export market remains heavily Asia-dominated, with China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India forming the core export hub globally.
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Even as global economic pressures and trade-policy shifts play out, countries with strong production capacity and competitive labour (plus improving quality standards) remain relevant.
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For exporters, brands and buyers, keeping a close eye on shifts and leveraging the strengths of different countries is essential for resilient, diversified sourcing.
After Word
If you’re looking for an authoritative and up-to-date garments export country list, this article gives a clear snapshot of the top 10 countries dominating world trade in apparel today. Whether you are a retailer, buyer, textile-industry professional or simply curious knowing who the top clothing exporting countries are helps you understand global supply-chain dynamics, competitive advantages, and evolving industry trends.
For more detailed country-wise trade data and trends, you might want to explore resources from a reputable export data provider like EximPedia

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