The line graph illustrates the proportion of total clothing exports accounted for by four countries or regions between 2000 and 2014.
Overall, China experienced a substantial increase in its share of clothing exports, eventually becoming the leading exporter. By contrast, the European Union and the USA saw continuous declines, while Asia excluding China experienced a modest fluctuation before recovering towards the end of the period.
In 2000, the European Union had the largest share of clothing exports, at approximately 32%, followed by Asia excluding China at 20%. The corresponding figures for the USA and China were considerably lower, at around 12% and 10%, respectively. However, China’s share rose steadily over the following years, reaching 20% in 2004 and approximately 24% in 2006. It then climbed to 30% in 2008, overtaking the European Union, whose figure had fallen to around 22%. China’s upward trend continued throughout the remainder of the period, with its share reaching approximately 34% in 2012 and 35% in 2014.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s share declined consistently, falling from 32% in 2000 to 28% in 2004 and 24% in 2006, before dropping further to 17% by 2014. Asia excluding China followed a different pattern: its figure decreased from 20% to 16% between 2000 and 2004, then fell gradually to a low of 14% in 2008. It subsequently recovered, reaching 17% in 2014, equal to the European Union’s final figure. The USA, meanwhile, recorded a steady decline from 12% in 2000 to just 5% at the end of the period, the lowest proportion among the four exporters.