Baby Cloth Diaper Market By Product (Cloth Diapers, Disposable Baby Cloth Diapers ), By Size (Small & Extra Small (S & XS), Medium (M), Large (L), Extra Large (XL)), By Age Group, By Distribution channel - Global Market Insights 2021 to 2031

Baby Cloth Diaper Market Outlook

The global baby cloth diaper market will reach a valuation of US$ 69 Bn by 2031, rising at a 10-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 5%.

The baby cloth diaper market is one of the most emerging markets among baby care products owing to increase in health awareness among parents. Furthermore, disposable baby cloth diapers are convenient, safe, and time-saving materials, which becomes a boon for working women are they do not require washing for reuse purpose. As such, adoption of baby cloth diapers by households has been increasing even among consumers who are less affluent, thereby creating growth opportunities for baby cloth diaper manufacturers.

Key Points Covered in Baby Cloth Diaper Industry Survey:

• Market Estimates and Forecasts (2016-2031)
• Key Drivers and Restraints Shaping Market Growth
• Segment-wise, Country-wise and Region-wise Analysis
• Competition Mapping and Benchmarking
• Market Share Analysis
• COVID-19 Impact on Baby Cloth Diaper Sales and How to Navigate
• Recommendation on Key Winning Strategies

Baby Cloth Diaper Business Analysis from 2016 -2020 Vs Demand Outlook for 2021 – 2031

The baby cloth diaper market was valued at US$ 53 Bn in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5% across the assessment period.

A cloth diaper is a garment used for infants who have yet to be trained for the social performance of essential bodily processes. Rising environmental concerns have pushed people to think about reusable baby cloth diapers that have matched up to the quality of plastic diapers. The world population is rising, and so is the standard of living.

People are adopting innovations that make life easier and diapers are witnessing the same trend. As new-borns rise in numbers, the future seems bright, and this will drive growth of the baby cloth diapers market over the period of 2021 to 2031.

How are Environmental Concerns Driving Sales Opportunities for Baby Cloth Diapers?

According to Stanford Magazine, an average baby requires diapers for up to 3 years, while using more than 10 diapers daily. This accounts for more than 3,000 diapers annually per baby, on an average.

Consequently, in terms of disposable diapers, waste is the primary environmental impact. Lack of recycling options for these products are a key concern. This, in turn, has been a factor driving the sales of cloth alternatives.

Also, common use of wood pulp and synthetic materials in disposable diapers generates environmental concerns. On the other hand, modern cloth diapers are being produced with a reusable, waterproof plastic material, with absorbent materials made from natural fibers of bamboo, cotton, or hemp.

Also, resale of used cloth diapers for poor families has bolstered the popularity and adoption of baby cloth diapers.

How are Birth Trends Influencing the Baby Cloth Diaper Industry?

According to a report by the Institute of Family Studies, countries with birth rates above 1.6 or 1.7 children per woman experienced fertility declines. Countries with birth rates below that saw more stability or even increases.

Birth rates in Mexico are around 2 kids per woman. Brazil’s birth rate is lower, at 1.75, with Colombia and Costa Rica at 1.77 and 1.66, respectively. Major Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India, account for up to 2.2 children per woman.

Countries in the Middle East are also displaying similar birth rates. ASEAN countries of Thailand and Malaysia account for 1.5 and 1.8 children per woman, respectively.

On the other hand, former Soviet countries, Mongolia, and Israel are displaying higher birth rates, accounting for around 3 children per women. On the whole, global birth rates are expected to stabilize between 1.4 and 1.9 children per woman.

These trends are expected to have a significant impact on the sales of baby cloth diapers over the coming years.

What are the Major Challenges Faced by Baby Cloth Diaper Manufacturers?

The long-term growth prospects of the baby cloth diaper market are stable, driven by a largely steady global birth rate and lower overall costs of use. However, the industry is expected to be hit by challenges that can potentially limit the growth of the industry.

Advantages of disposable baby diapers related to convenience in terms of use and disposal remains the primary challenge for the adoption of cloth alternatives. Also, cloth diapers are not as absorbent as disposable plastic diapers and require more frequent changes.

Further, disposable plastic diapers are available in a larger variety of options, which also include greener disposable diaper innovations, threatening the sales of cloth diapers.

Growing demand for bio-degradable baby cloth diapers and demand for hybrid baby cloth diapers is expected to be beneficial for market growth.

Country-wise Analysis

Why is China a Major Powerhouse in the Baby Cloth Diaper Space?

According to the Fact.MR report, Asia Pacific excluding Japan is the largest market for baby cloth diapers, led primarily by China, which accounts for more than 40% of the region’s market share. China accounted for more than US$ 1.1 Bn in 2020.

The reform to get rid of the country’s one-child policy has largely appeared to have failed to reverse the country's falling birth rate. As per a World Bank analyst, this can be attributed to the lack of associated changes supporting families, including paternity leave and monetary support for child care.

Despite these challenges, the vast population base will ensure that the country is a key market for baby cloth diapers through the projection period.

What is the Contribution of the U.K. to the Baby Cloth Diaper Market?

As per data from the Office of National Statistics, 2019 witnessed more than 640,000 live births in England and Wales in 2019, a slump of 2.5% as compared to 2018, and more than 12% decrease since the last peak in 2012.

The total fertility rate (TFR) for the U.K. decreased from 1.7 children per woman in 2018 to 1.65 children in 2019. The TFR for Wales was the lowest since 1982, at 1.54 children per woman. Fertility rates decreased across all age groups, excluding women aged over 40 years, among whom, the TFR increased to 16.5 births per 1,000 women.

On the other hand, stillbirths in England fell to a record low for three consecutive years to 3.8 per 1,000, while the stillbirth rate for Wales increased from 4.4 to 4.6 per 1,000 in 2019, potentially impacting demand for cloth diapers.

According to the Fact.MR report, the U.K was the leading and fastest-growing European market for baby cloth diapers, accounting for over US$ 866 Mn in 2020, reflecting sluggish but steady growth for the coming years.

How are Baby Cloth Diaper Sales Set to Fare in the U.S.?

The U.S. baby cloth diaper market accounted for more than US$ 2.5 Bn in 2020. High levels of health awareness and a relatively stable rate of births in the country are projected to aid market growth through 2031.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 1 in 3 U.S. families have reported diaper requirements. 5 million children in the U.S. aged three or below come from low-income families.

Infants, on an average, require more than 10 diapers per day, with toddlers accounting for about 8. Disposable diapers can cost up to US$ 80 per month for every baby, creating opportunities for cloth diaper manufacturers.

Further, no state or federal child safety-net program in the country has allocated funds so far for the purchase of diapers. Also, buying diapers at a convenience store rather than big box stores can substantially increase the monthly cost of diapers.

Also, childcare centres, including those that are free and subsidized, require parents to provide for the supply of diapers. These factors are projected to aid the rise of the market in the country in the near future.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Ultra-absorbent Diapers Dominant in the Market?

Baby cloth diapers are available in both, super-absorbent and ultra-absorbent variants. According to Fact.MR, ultra-absorbent diapers are expected to dominate the industry, and are projected to account for more than 65% of global market share through the assessment period.

Overall, demand for ultra-absorbent baby cloth diapers can be largely attributed to wider incorporation of ultra-absorbent formulations across brands and relatively higher efficiency in terms of performance.

Which Age Group Accounts for Higher Sales of Baby Cloth Diapers?

Baby cloth diapers are widely used in 3 key age groups – 0 to 6 months, 6 to 18 months, and 18 to 48 months. With diaper usage decreasing with age, cloth diapers for babies aged 0-6 months will hold the highest share of the market, accounting for 43% in 2021.

Infants between 0-6 months require 12 diapers a day, with older toddlers accounting for about 8. Changes in digestive operations and efforts for potty training among older children are expected to influence diaper requirements and sales in the foreseeable future.

What is the Role of Hypermarket/Supermarket Channels in the Baby Cloth Diaper Industry?

Online distribution, hypermarkets and supermarkets (HM/SM), drug stores, and convenience stores are the leading channels used by baby cloth diaper manufacturers for sales.

Of these, hypermarkets and supermarkets will account for a relatively larger share of sales. HMs/SMs account for more than 46% of the market, owing to higher penetration of these outlets and resultant improvement in product access for consumers, even rural regions, and robust retail supply chains from suppliers.

Competitive Landscape

The moderately fragmented market is characterized by numerous regional players.

Major market players are largely engaged in product development, launch and distribution strategies, in addition to awareness campaigns, in a bid to consolidate their consumer base.

• For instance, India-based Bdiapers unveiled a patented design of hybrid cloth diapers for babies, which comprise chemical-free disposable nappy pads combined with cloth diaper covers, in September 2020, which reduces diaper waste.
• St. Louis-based Cotton Babies Inc., a company specializing in reusable products, in February 2020, announced the start of its cloth diaper bank initiative – Share the Love to ship free cloth diapers to underprivileged families for free, which aims to save families thousands of dollars annually.
• Johnson’s Baby, in September 2020, launched a new range of baby care products, including Cotton touch range of diapers, which are infused with natural cotton and manufactured with the aim of minimizing risk of skin irritation.

Baby Cloth Diaper Market Report Scope

Key Segments Covered in Baby Cloth Diaper Industry Research

• By Product  

  • Cloth Diapers
    • Flat Baby Cloth Diapers
    • Fitted Baby Cloth Diapers
    • Pre-fold Baby Cloth Diapers
    • All in one Baby Cloth Diapers
  • Disposable Baby Cloth Diapers 
    • Ultra/Super Absorbent Disposable Baby Cloth Diapers
    • Regular Disposable Baby Cloth Diapers
    • Bio-degradable Disposable Baby Cloth Diapers
    • Training Nappies
    • Swim Pants

• By Size

  • Small & Extra Small (S & XS)
  • Medium (M)
  • Large (L)
  • Extra Large (XL)

• By Age Group

  • Baby Cloth Diapers for Infants (0?6 Months)
  • Baby Cloth Diapers for (6?18 Months)
  • Baby Cloth Diapers for (18?24 Months)
  • Children Above 2 Years

• By Distribution channel

  • Sale of Baby Cloth Diapers in Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
  • Sale of Baby Cloth Diapers in Convenience Stores
  • Sale of Baby Cloth Diapers in Pharmacy/Drug Stores
  • Sale of Baby Cloth Diapers on Online Sales Channels