Leading Shoe Manufacturing Countries
China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia are leaders in footwear production, highlighting the Asia Pacific (APAC) region’s domination in this industry. These four countries accounted for over 75 percent of global footwear production as of 2021.
Thailand has an annual production of 245 million shoe pairs, including sporting shoes, student shoes, sandals, and fashion shoes. Thai access to quality leather and lower wholesale prices have made the country a shoe buyers’ dream.
With an output of 295 million shoe pairs a year, the Pakistan International Footwear Show and the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association have made this output globally relevant and well-known.
Dongguan, China, the world’s largest footwear production area, trumps other regions entirely, making around 65% of the world’s high-end or popular shoes. Dongguan hosts over 1,500 footwear factories and 3,500 related companies and traders.
Nike shoes are mostly manufactured outside the United States, with China and Vietnam each accounting for 36%, Indonesia 22%, and Thailand 6%. Today, most shoes are produced in Asian factories for various manufacturers.
Ethics and Quality in Shoe Manufacturing
Designer shoes often use higher quality materials and receive more attention, but manufacturing is like regular shoes. Shoe manufacturing spans the globe, from China and Vietnam to Italy, Brazil, and the U.S. However, labor and environmental issues exist within the industry. As consumers, we can make ethical, sustainable choices.