The textile-garment sector can be defined as heterogeneous and diverse since it can be divided into three areas: the textile sector itself, the garment manufacturing process, and the commercial distribution process, which ends with the purchase of textile articles by end consumers. These goods can be defined from a double perspective: as basic necessities since every individual needs to have garments to wear; or as luxury goods, when it comes to the fashion sector and haute couture garments.
In 2009, the sector employed more than 1.5 million people worldwide in more than 160,000 companies, with a turnover of 162 billion euros, and consumption is expected to increase by up to 63% by 2030.
In 2009, the textile sector had a turnover of 162 billion euros and consumption is expected to increase by 63% by 2030.
Europe has always been, and wants to remain, an important focus for this sector through innovative branding, creativity, know-how, and quality products. Until 2018 the European textile industry showed a steady growth trend, but in 2019 this changed, and growth started to fall, reaching negative levels in 2020 after the outbreak of the pandemic. Due to the health situation caused by the outbreak of Covid-19, a supply crisis was triggered, logistics costs and delivery times grew exponentially, because of the measures approved by governments to curb the escalation of contagions worldwide. This crisis is still present and affecting the textile-garment sector today, but the sector's growth indicators have gradually managed to return to positive values. In September 2021, the Index of Industrial Production (IPI) for textile, clothing, and leather increased by 3.8% compared to the same month in 2020, and in October 2021 the trend continued and the sector's IPI grew by 2.8%.
The textile and clothing sector is one of the most important industrial sectors in our country in terms of the employment it generates and the added value it represents. Thanks to the more than 20,000 companies dedicated to fashion, textile, and footwear in Spain, which currently represent 2.4% of Spanish GDP, the country is currently competing with traditional giants such as Italy and Germany for European leadership in the sector.
The textile sector accounted for 2.4% of Spain's GDP in 2020
