Bangladesh RMG Export Statistics and Trends (Sourced and Dated)

If you want a clear, honest picture of RMG in Bangladesh, the numbers matter more than the adjectives. "RMG" stands for ready-made garments, the factory-produced clothing that Bangladesh is famous for, and it drives the country's exports more than any other sector.

This page pulls together the key statistics and trends. We only use figures we can tie to a named source (mainly BGMEA and the WTO) and we date each one, because export data ages fast and an undated number is close to useless. Where a common claim cannot be pinned to a solid source, we say so rather than guessing.

Headline RMG export figures

Two authorities give the clearest read: BGMEA (Bangladesh's own fiscal-year data) and the WTO (global calendar-year comparisons).

• BGMEA, fiscal years: RMG exports were about 36.15 billion US dollars in FY2023-24 and about 39.35 billion dollars in FY2024-25.
• WTO, calendar 2024: Bangladesh exported apparel worth about 38.48 billion dollars, roughly a 0.21 percent increase over 2023 (reported by Apparel Resources in July 2025).

The two sets differ because BGMEA counts July-to-June fiscal years while the WTO counts calendar years, and they use slightly different product definitions. Both point the same way: Bangladesh RMG exports sit in the high-30-billion-dollar range.

Global market share and ranking

Bangladesh is the world's second-largest apparel exporter. According to WTO data for 2024 (reported by Apparel Resources, July 2025):

• Bangladesh: about 38.48 billion dollars, a 6.90 percent global share (down from 7.38 percent in 2023).
• China (first): about 165.24 billion dollars, a 29.64 percent share.
• Vietnam (third): about 33.94 billion dollars, a 6.09 percent share, up 9.34 percent year over year.
• Total global apparel exports: about 557.50 billion dollars.

The trend worth watching is the gap with Vietnam. Bangladesh's share slipped slightly in 2024 while Vietnam's grew, so the second-place position is real but not guaranteed. We look at why buyers are still diversifying toward Bangladesh in why brands are shifting sourcing here.

Knit vs woven: the product mix

RMG splits into knit (t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, jersey) and woven (shirts, trousers, denim, jackets). BGMEA's FY2024-25 breakdown shows:

• Knit: about 21.16 billion dollars.
• Woven: about 18.19 billion dollars.

Knitwear is now the larger category. That reflects Bangladesh's deep strength in vertically integrated knit production, where fabric is often made in the same group that cuts and sews it. For a fuller explanation of the two production types, see the garment industry explained.

Where the exports go

BGMEA's export data tracks shipments to the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and a growing set of "non-traditional" markets. The EU has long been the single largest destination bloc, with the United States the largest single-country market. Duty-free and preferential access into the EU has been a major driver of that concentration, which is one reason the coming loss of least-developed-country trade benefits is such a big deal. We unpack that in the future of Bangladesh manufacturing.

The "non-traditional" category (markets outside the EU, US, UK, and Canada) has been growing as manufacturers try to spread risk. It still makes up a minority of exports, but the direction of travel matters: over-reliance on a handful of buyer markets is a vulnerability, and diversifying destinations is one way the industry hedges against a downturn or a tariff shock in any single market.

What could move the numbers next

Statistics describe the past. A few forces will shape where the RMG figures go from here, and buyers planning multi-season programs should keep them in view.

• LDC graduation. Bangladesh's LDC graduation, originally set for 24 November 2026, is now expected to be deferred: in 2026 the UN Committee for Development Policy recommended a three-year extension to 24 November 2029, pending a final UN General Assembly decision. Whenever it takes effect, graduation phases out the duty-free access that garments enjoy in markets like the EU, which could raise landed costs and pressure export growth.
• Competition from Vietnam. WTO data showed Vietnam's apparel exports growing faster than Bangladesh's in 2024, narrowing the gap for second place. The competitive pressure is real.
• Buyer-market trade policy. Tariff decisions in major markets, especially the United States, feed directly into order volumes and unit prices.
• Cost and capability upgrades. The 2023 minimum-wage increase raised labor costs, while investment in green, higher-value production is shifting the mix toward more sophisticated products.

None of these has a single reliable forecast number attached, so we deliberately avoid projecting a figure. The honest read is directional: growth is likely to continue but at a more contested pace, with post-graduation trade terms as the biggest swing factor.

What the numbers say about the sector's weight

Export dollars only tell part of the story. BGMEA also reports the sector's broader footprint. Note that several of these structural figures come from BGMEA's 2021-era reporting and are not refreshed as often as the export numbers, so treat them as an order of magnitude that may have shifted since:

• RMG made up about 81 percent of Bangladesh's total export earnings in FY2024-25.
• The industry contributes around 11.2 percent of national GDP and about 36 percent of manufacturing employment (BGMEA, 2021 data).
• It runs on more than 4,600 factory units and engages roughly 4.1 million workers (BGMEA, 2021 data). Women have long made up the majority of that workforce, at roughly 60 percent by ILO estimates, though that share has trended down in recent years.

That level of concentration means RMG export trends are effectively national economic trends. When apparel orders move, the whole economy feels it.

Reading RMG statistics without getting misled

A few practical cautions, because this topic attracts a lot of loosely sourced numbers online:

1. Always check the year and the source. Fiscal-year and calendar-year figures are not interchangeable, and secondary sites often mix them.
2. Watch the definition. "RMG exports," "apparel exports," and "textile and apparel exports" are different baskets and produce different totals.
3. Be skeptical of round, undated claims. Numbers like "the industry employs 4.5 million" or "contributes 13 percent of GDP" float around without attribution; we stick to what BGMEA and the WTO actually publish.
4. Treat factory counts as approximate. The number of active factories shifts as units open, merge, or close.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Bangladesh earn from RMG exports?

BGMEA reports RMG exports of about 39.35 billion US dollars in FY2024-25 and about 36.15 billion dollars in FY2023-24. WTO data puts calendar-2024 apparel exports at about 38.48 billion dollars.

Is RMG still growing in Bangladesh?

Yes, modestly. BGMEA's fiscal figures rose from FY2023-24 to FY2024-25, and WTO data showed a small increase for calendar 2024. The caution is that Bangladesh's global market share dipped slightly in 2024 while Vietnam's grew.

What share of Bangladesh's exports is RMG?

About 81 percent in FY2024-25, according to BGMEA. It is by far the country's dominant export sector.

Does Bangladesh export more knit or woven garments?

Knit. BGMEA's FY2024-25 breakdown shows knit exports of about 21.16 billion dollars versus woven exports of about 18.19 billion dollars.

Who is the world's largest apparel exporter?

China, with about a 29.64 percent global share in 2024 per WTO data. Bangladesh is second at about 6.90 percent, and Vietnam is third at about 6.09 percent.

How we can help

Statistics tell you the market is big and capable. Turning that into a real order is where a partner on the ground helps. We are a Dhaka-based sourcing and export house: we connect you with verified factories, run samples and quality control, and handle export documents, customs, and freight so you deal with one point of contact. If you want to move from reading the numbers to placing an order, request a quote and tell us what you plan to make.