The global ready-made garment (RMG) industry is a colossal, dynamic, and interwoven sector that impacts economies and lives across continents. As fast fashion, sustainability, and geopolitical shifts reshape the landscape, understanding which countries dominate RMG exports is essential for businesses, policymakers, and consumers. Here, we explore the top RMG exporters—their strengths, recent developments, and challenges ahead.
Table of Contents
China: The Unquestioned Giant
China remains at the pinnacle of garment exports, accounting for over 40% of global textile and apparel exports. In 2022 alone, Chinese exports reached approximately US $316 billion, with projections pushing the apparel market to US $342 billion by 2025. China’s supremacy is backed by:
- A sophisticated supply chain and vast infrastructure
- A skilled workforce—in 2022, about 70 million were employed in RMG
- Access to raw materials and next-level logistics
However, China’s dominance faces headwinds: a 9.7% drop in clothing exports in 2023, fueled by geopolitical tension, Western buyer de-risking, and regulatory scrutiny such as forced-labor concerns in Xinjiang. This makes China a resilient yet challenged leader.
Bangladesh: The Rising Second Champ
Next to China, Bangladesh has emerged as the world’s second-largest RMG exporter. In 2024, Bangladesh’s RMG exports soared to $36 billion, representing 16% of global textile and apparel exports, while its workforce—approximately 4 million people, predominantly female—anchors the industry.
Moreover, Bangladesh’s textile and garment sector generated $50 billion in exports by the end of 2024, marking an 8.3% year-over-year growth. Its low labor costs and professional, youthful workforce remain its enduring competitive edge.
Strengths:
- Cost competitiveness with a large female workforce
- Rapid growth trajectory in export earnings
- Green manufacturing leadership—with over 150 LEED-certified factories, Bangladesh leads in environmentally sustainable RMG production
Challenges:
Despite its strength, political unrest—such as violent protests disrupting supply chains—and shifting orders to nations like India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia pose serious threats.
Vietnam: The Agile Innovator
Vietnam ranks third globally in RMG exports, with around 6.4% of global shares and US $32 billion in earnings, supported by a workforce exceeding 2.7 million. The nation’s 2025 export revenue is estimated to reach approximately US $50 billion, signaling remarkable growth.
Why Vietnam shines:
- Favorable trade agreements & investor-friendly policies
- Specialization in quality segments like denim, activewear, and sustainable apparel
- Investment in smart manufacturing and OEM/ODM models
- Digital transformation and green production trends
Despite recent losses—like a 9.2% decline in exports in 2023—Vietnam is expected to bounce back with recovery and innovation-led growth.
India: Heritage Meets Modernization
India holds the fourth spot in RMG exports. Its textile & apparel industry generated a staggering US $35.64 billion in 2023–24, employing 40 million people.
With the government’s robust policy push, the sector is undergoing transformation:
- Initiatives like the 5F framework (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign), PLI, NTMM, PM-MITRA parks, and more are supercharging modernization
- India is also witnessing a rise in technical textiles, digital transparency, and supply chain innovation
Though lagging slightly behind Bangladesh in numbers, India’s strategy is clearly designed to capture global RMG demand in the near future.
Other Notable Players
While the top four dominate, several other countries play significant roles in the global RMG ecosystem:
- Turkey, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Indonesia, the US, and Taiwan are recognized as important manufacturers, each bringing unique strengths such as high-quality design, EU market access, or technological sophistication.
- Sri Lanka, while smaller in scale, sees apparel as its top export earner—over 52% of total exports, engaging a sizable portion of the national workforce, with a strong reputation for ethical practices.
Comparative Overview
| Country | Approximate RMG Export Value | Key Strengths | Main Challenges |
| China | $316 B (2022), projected $342 B (2025) | Scale, infrastructure, skilled labor | Geopolitics, buyer de-risking, forced-labor scrutiny |
| Bangladesh | $36 B (2024), $50 B total textiles exports | Low-cost workforce, female labor, green factories | Political instability, shifting orders |
| Vietnam | $32 B (2023), projecting $50 B (2025) | Trade agreements, digital & green transformation | Export dips, rising labor costs |
| India | $35.6 B (2023–24), 40 M employed | Raw materials, policy reforms, modernization | Infrastructure gaps, global competitiveness |
| Others | Varies — Turkey, Sri Lanka, etc. | Niche quality, ethics, regional access | Limited output scale |
Trends & Outlook
- Shift in Global Supply Chains: Rising labor costs and geopolitical tensions are driving brands to diversify sourcing away from China toward Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India.
- Sustainability & Compliance: Green factories (e.g., Bangladesh’s LEED-certified units), supplier transparency, and ethical governance are becoming market requirements.
- Digital Evolution: Vietnam and India are adopting Industry 4.0 tools, blockchain for traceability, and OEM/ODM partnerships to enhance competitiveness.
- Trade Policies as Game-Changers: Tariff reductions, FTAs, and policy reforms are shaping competitiveness in global apparel markets.
Conclusion
The global RMG export landscape is both dynamic and concentrated. China remains the titan, followed by Bangladesh’s rapid ascent. Vietnam and India are emerging heavyweights with momentum, mobilizing innovation and policy support. Meanwhile, countries like Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Italy continue to carve out specialized niches.
Looking ahead, the future belongs to RMG exporters who balance cost-effectiveness with resilience—embracing sustainability, digital transformation, and geopolitical agility.