India

Garment and textiles production is one of the oldest industries in India, dating back several centuries.  While the industry today remains a mainstay of the national economy, its international presence is also notable, as India has become the 6th largest exporter of garments and textiles in the world. 

India has a large raw material base and manufacturing strength across the value chain, incorporating both the hand-woven sector as well as the capital-intensive mill sector (the second largest in the world). Garment and textiles manufacturing accounts for 7% of India's total industrial output (by value), 2% of its GDP, and 12% of the country’s export earnings.

The sector provides direct employment for over 45 million¹ people in India, whilst supporting over a hundred million more via indirect means, including many women and the rural population. The Government’s central focus in recent years has been on increasing textile production by building best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure, upgrading technology, fostering innovation, and enhancing labour skills. The Indian garment and textiles market, currently valued at US$35 billion is expected to see further significant growth in the coming decade.

¹Figures differ by source. According to the ILO (ILOSTAT), a total of 14,624,000 people are employed in the textile and clothing industry in India. 
ILOSTAT employment figures are computations of data taken from India’s national Labour Force Survey. LFS employment data is mostly based on two measures: usual status (i.e., whether people were mostly at work during the last 365 days) and the current weekly status (i.e., whether they were working or not in each week).  LFS data -as computed/reported by ILOSTAT- may report lower values for employment and unemployment than other national data sources (with broader statistical definitions of employment and unemployment).