Since the introduction of the first automatic washing machine built for domestic use in 1937 and the commercial release of the first electrically powered dryer in 1938, both appliances turned out to be a staple across households in developed countries. More than 80 percent of households in the United States own a washing machine, for example, with even higher ownership rates in countries like Germany, Russia, Spain, the UK, Canada, Italy, Japan, and Turkey. With global annual revenues from washing machines and dryers sales to exceed 70 billion U.S. dollars in the future, the segment is a major part of the household appliances industry.
China is the largest market for washing machines
China leads the global washing machine market both in terms of production and sales. Since at least 2013, the production of washing machines in the country has exceeded 70 million units. Sales of washing machines in China have also been at this level, with more than 70 million units sold annually since 2015.
The two general designs for household washing machines in use today are the front-loading and the top-loading washers. Laundromat machines and industrial washers are also available for commercial use. Other types of washing machines used in consumer households include the more expedient compact machines and the washer-dryer combo.
Smart washing machine segment is growing
With the industry for “smart appliances” expected to grow in the future, washing machines account for a big part of the global smart home appliances market. Today, around 10 percent of households in the United States already own a big smart appliance such as refrigerators or washing machines. This ownership rate is projected to increase as the smart washing machine market is forecast to grow from around eight billion U.S. dollars in 2020 to more than 20 billion U.S. dollars over the next five to seven years.
Table of Contents
Overview
Segment: Sales volume in selected countries
Segment: Production in selected countries
Consumption: Ownership
Companies
1. Overview
Description: The sale of global household appliances has been growing steadily from 2005 to 2014. In 2015 onwards there was a slowing and in some cases a decrease, in the sales of major domestic appliances around the world. The Coronavirus pandemic, forcing people to stay at home, is likely to be the cause of further interest in outfitting homes as there has been a steady growth since 2019 in sales, culminating in a record sale in 2021.
Description: The global washing machine and dryers market is forecast to grow to more than 89 billion U.S. dollars in value by 2027. From 2012 to 2019 the market has experienced continuous growth. In 2022 washing machine and dryers sales are projected to decline, however, compared to the previous year, due to lessening demand as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Description: The global washing machine and dryers unit shipments are forecast to grow to almost 170 million units by 2025. From 2012 to 2021 the market has experienced continuous growth. In 2022 washing machine and dryers sales are projected to decline, however, compared to the previous year, due to lessening demand as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Description: The global smart washing machine market is valued at around 8 billion U.S. dollars today, with some forecasts putting the market more towards 5 billion U.S. dollars. Over the next few years the smart washing machine market is forecast to grow to more than 20 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue.
Description: In the observed period, the sales of big household appliances in Poland increased. Sales of refrigerators and freezers were responsible for the highest share of sales. However, sales of washing machines did not fall much behind.
2. Segment: Sales volume in selected countries
Description: The total number of washing machines sold in the Netherlands between 2013 and 2022 increased from roughly 567 thousand units sold in 2013 to a total number of 706 thousand units sold in 2022.
Description: Figures show that, during the period considered, sales of washing machines in France remained somewhat stable between 2.5 and 2.8 million units. As of 2021, 2.85 million washing machines were sold in France.
Description: The sales quantity of electric washing machines in the home appliances industry in Japan decreased by 0.1 million units (-3.1%) since the previous year. In total, the sales quantity declined to 3.13 million units in 2021.
Description: In 2020, the sales volume of washing machines in China amounted to over 70 million units. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the sales volume decreased slightly after increasing year by year before the pandemic.
3. Segment: Production in selected countries
Description: This statistic shows the value of household washing machines, such as laundry machines with both wash and dry programs, that were exported by the United Kingdom (UK) from 2011 to 2021. In 2021, the value of washing machines exported by the UK amounted to approximately 20.4 million British pounds, marking a significant decrease from the previous year.
Description: In 2021, the industrial production volume of household washing machines in China amounted to over 86 million units. The country was one of the world’s largest producers of consumer electronics.
Description: Automatic washing machines were responsible for the highest share of the production of household appliances produced in Poland in the observed period. The production increased by 3.6 percent in 2021. Dishwashers were the second most crucial category of household appliances production.
Description: The production quantity of electric washing machines in the home appliances industry in Japan decreased by 30.5 thousand units (-3.63%) in 2021 in comparison to the previous year. In total, the production quantity declined to 810.42 thousand units in 2021.
4. Consumption: Ownership
Description: Italy is the country with the highest household ownership rate of washing machines amongst the most populous countries in Europe in 2021. Washing machines are very prevalent household appliances in households across many European countries with more than 90 percent of households in Romania, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands owning a washing machine according to the Statista Global Consumer Survey.
Description: The displayed data on washing machine ownership by brand shows results of the Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in the United States in 2022. Some 17 percent of respondents answered the question “What brand is the washing machine in your household?” with “Whirlpool”.
Description: The displayed data on washing machine ownership by brand shows results of the Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in the UK in 2022. Some 18 percent of respondents answered the question “What brand is the washing machine in your household?” with “Hotpoint”.
Description: The displayed data on washing machine ownership by brand shows results of the Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in Canada in 2022. Some 17 percent of respondents answered the question “What brand is the washing machine in your household?” with “Whirlpool”.
Description: The displayed data on washing machine ownership by brand shows results of the Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in Australia in 2022. Some 19 percent of respondents answered the question “What brand is the washing machine in your household?” with “Fisher & Paykel”.
Description: The displayed data on washing machine ownership by brand shows results of the Statista Global Consumer Survey conducted in Brazil in 2022. Some 37 percent of respondents answered the question “What brand is the washing machine in your household?” with “Brastemp”.
Description: In 2020, the number of washing machines per one hundred households in China’s Ningxia province was over 103. Over the past years, the number of washing machines had remained relatively stable.
5. Companies
Description: In 2022, Midea Group Co. Ltd. was the largest global household appliance company with sales that amounted to some 50 billion U.S. dollars. Other significant companies included Gree Electric Appliances, and Electrolux Group.
LG is the most popular washing machine brand in its home market South Korea, as well as in India and Russia. In North America on the other hand Whirlpool is the most popular brand for washing machines both in the United States and Canada. In many cases the domestic brands are more popular in most markets than brands from other countries. This holds true for China as well, where the Chinese multinational home appliances and consumer electronics company Haier is the most popular washing machine brand.
Description: Swedish appliance manufacturer Electrolux brought in around 13.82 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2021. The company has reported relatively stable revenue figures for the past few years with the overall number floating between 12 and 15 billion dollars.
Description: The statistic shows the revenue of Midea from 2016 to 2021, by segment. In 2021, Midea had generated a revenue of about 27.28 billion yuan from robots and automated systems.
Description: Haier Smart Homes refrigerator segment generated a revenue of over 72 billion yuan in 2021. It was the companies biggest product category, followed by washing machines, whose revenue amounted to over 54 billion yuan. In recent years the company underwent a restructuring process. First, in 2019, Qingdao Haier became Haier Smart Home, then, in 2020, Haier Smart Home incorporated Haier Electronics Group.
Description: Whirlpool Corporation’s sales in the refrigeration appliances product category, that include refrigerators and freezers, generated revenue of 6.06 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. This is the largest product category of Whirlpool in that year.
Description: In 2021, the production volume of washing machines by LG Electronics amounted to around 16 million. LG Electronics’ washing machines were manufactured in South Korea, China, and Thailand. Next to refrigerators and air conditioners, washing machines are among the leading household appliances of LG Electronics.
Source from Statista.
Disclaimer: The information set forth above is provided by Statista independently of Alibaba.com. Alibaba.com makes no representation and warranties as to the quality and reliability of the seller and products.
