The global baby diaper market is projected to be valued at $68.2 billion by 2022. The increasing awareness regarding personal hygiene, growing disposable income, rising population in countries such as China, India, and Qatar, surging number of women in the workforce, and introduction of eco-friendly bio-degradable diapers are some of the prime factors leading to the growth of the market across the globe.
APAC to showcase significant growth
APAC is projected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period, wherein it is also expected to lead the baby diaper market in terms of revenue generation. The APAC diaper market would surpass the European market in 2019 to lead the global market. The various factors driving the growth of the baby diaper market in APAC include the increasing disposable income, growing birth rate, increasing R&D investment by various diaper manufacturers, and increasing awareness about the sanitary applications of baby diapers.
In 2008, the annual per capita disposable income of urban households in China was $2,271, which became $3,408.5 in 2012, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. In addition, the annual disposable income of middle-class households in India was $1,366.2 billion in 2010, which became $1,587.6 billion in 2013. Due to the increasing awareness about hygiene among people in developing countries, the expenditure on sanitary products, including diapers, is also increasing. Factors such as these continue to aid in the growth of the baby diaper market on a global level.
Introduction of eco-friendly bio-degradable diapers to propel the market growth
Most of the disposable baby diapers contain artificial absorbents, such as sodium poly-acrylate, which forms a gel when they come into contact with moisture. Biodegradable diapers are made from plant-based materials and are free from harmful chemicals and plastics. Eco-friendly bio-degradable baby diapers protect babies’ skin from rashes, therefore are increasingly being demanded across the globe, which is leading to the baby diaper market progress.
Approximately four million babies are born each year in the U.S., and about 90% of the disposable diapers each year end up in landfill sites, where they decompose slowly and cause harm to the environment. Therefore, a key driving factor for the baby diaper market is the growing demand for easily decomposable diapers. The Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) promotes the use of washable nappies, as a more environment-friendly and convenient alternative to disposable nappies. All of the reusable diapers contain super-absorbent gelling materials (AGM). AGMs are associated with an increase in childhood asthma risk and decrease in sperm count. Bio-degradable diapers, on the other hand, are not manufactured with petrochemicals, other eco-unfriendly materials or skin irritants, and are therefore safe for the baby’s sensitive skin.
Baby Diaper Market Competitive Landscape
The overall intensity of competition is medium in the baby diaper market. There are a large number of players in the market, gradually intensifying the rivalry. However, the increasing product differentiation offered by market players is leading to intense competition. For instance, most of the Pampers baby diapers offer increased absorption, whereas Huggies newborn diapers and Pampers Swaddlers offer a wetness indicator strip, which changes color when the diaper is full and needs to be changed.
The global baby diaper market, characterized by the presence of several existing small players, is projected to saturate in the coming years. Globally, a moderate number of players operate; however, many players also function on the regional level, resulting in overall medium intensity of rivalry.
GLOBAL BABY DIAPER MARKET SEGMENTATION
By Product
By Absorption Level
By Baby Weight Range
By Geography
