
World apparel production growth fell short of the world manufacturing average in the first quarter of 2017, although gains have been seen in both developing and industrialised economies, new research shows.
World manufacturing gained further strength in the first quarter of 2017, building on a sluggish, but already improving performance throughout 2016, according to the latest quarterly update on ‘World Manufacturing Production’ from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The report shows total global manufacturing output rose by 3.7% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of the previous year, visibly above the 2.6% average increase observed in 2016.
The bad news, however, is that growth in textiles, apparel and footwear production all fell short of the world manufacturing average. Textiles output rose at just 2.3% for the first quarter, compared with the same period last year, while world apparel production rose 2.6% and leather products saw growth of 2.5%.
Within this, textiles production rose 3.5% year-on-year in developing and emerging industrial economies, but declined 1.2% in the industrialised nations. Compared with the previous quarter output was 1.2% lower, with a decline of 1.6% in developing countries and a drop of 0.2% in industralised ones.
Apparel production booked a 3.8% rise year-on-year in developing countries and a decline of 2.2% in the industrialised nations. However, compared with the quarter before, world apparel manufacturing was up 1.7%, with a rise of 2.1% in developing and emerging industrial economies and a 0.4% rise in industralised ones.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataFor leather products, production grew by 4.1% year-on-year in developing and emerging markets, but slipped 2.0% in the industrialised country group. Month-on-month there was a rise of 1.4% for developing countries and a drop of 1.1% in industralised nations.
Global trends
Looking at world manufacturing as a whole, UNIDO says the prospects for sustained industrial growth are improving in both industrialised and developing economies.
The manufacturing output of industrialised economies rose by 1.9% in the first quarter of 2017, compared to the same period of the previous year.
Manufacturing output rose in all major industrialised economies with a significant share of global manufacturing output, namely the United States of America, Japan, Germany and the Republic of Korea.
Among the industrialised regions, Europe’s manufacturing output grew by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2017. Positive trends were widespread throughout Europe. Manufacturing output rose by 3.5% in Netherlands, 2.7% in Belgium, 2.6% in Finland and 1.7% in Austria. Similarly, manufacturing output rose by 6.6% in Poland, 6.7% in Romania and 3.5% in Bulgaria.
However, the repercussions of lower global energy prices were still present in Norway and the Russian Federation where manufacturing output has yet to achieve the positive growth.
Developing and emerging industrial economies showed much higher growth – 6.0% – during the same period. Latin American economies showed early signs of recovery, achieving positive growth rates for the first time since a prolonged recession in recent years. Higher growth rates were achieved by developing economies in Asia, while the manufacturing output of Africa rose by 5.7% in the first quarter of 2017.
The manufacturing output of China, the largest manufacturer of the world, showed a strong comeback with 7.6% growth in the first quarter of 2017. Among other fast growing Asian economies manufacturing output rose by 7.0% in Vietnam and 4.3% in Indonesia.
Among other emerging industrial economies, manufacturing output rose by 1.5% in India, 3.4% in Mexico and 1.7% in Turkey.