In 2016, the volume of global T-shirt exports grew four per cent compoared to previous year. Bangladesh and India have seen the highest growth rates in T-shirt production among the main producing countries from 2007 to 2015. Increased exports from these countries was due to the export-oriented means of production, with cheap labor costs. While the share of Bangladesh, India and Vietnam increased, China indicated negative dynamics. Despite the fact that China remains a key global centre for the production of T-shirts, production is gradually shifting to other countries in Asia.

T-shirt consumption is set to maintain an upward growth trend in the immediate term, due to the recovery being seen in the global economy, the process of ongoing urbanization, the rising population, and increasing income levels. The globally T-shirt market is expected to continue, with a growth of 1.7 per cent annually in the medium term.

While mature markets of the US, Canada, and Western Europe are close to their saturation point in T-shirt consumption, emerging economies, such as China, India, Russia, and Brazil, are far from saturated. They share a few similar characteristics, including a rising population, an improved economic situation, rising disposable incomes, and urbanization.