Bangladesh has retained its position as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter for a fifth consecutive year, according to the WTO’s World Trade Statistical Review 2025. The report, published on August 4, 2026, said China remained the leading exporter despite a slight decline in global apparel exports. Vietnam ranked third, followed by India in fourth and Turkey in fifth place.
Bangladesh exported $38.82 billion in ready-made garments last year, about $2 billion more than nearest competitor Vietnam. Vietnam had overtaken Bangladesh for second place during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but Bangladesh regained the position in 2021. Vietnam remained third in apparel exports in 2024 and held the same ranking in 2025.
Bangladesh’s share of the global apparel export market fell to 6.76 percent in 2025 from 7 percent a year earlier, marking a second consecutive annual decline. Its share was 6.68 percent in 2023 and reached a high of 7.91 percent in 2022. Vietnam’s share rose to 6.53 percent in 2025, from 6.17 percent in 2024 and 5.81 percent in 2023.