The global garment trade

The devastating collapse a month ago of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which housed at least four garment factories, focused attention on the vast worldwide garment trade.

Since 1980, Bangladesh has risen from 76th to be the world’s fourth biggest garment exporter as clothing manufacturers search for low costs.

This interactive graphic looks at the how the world’s biggest clothing exporters have shifted, as well as how each country’s exports and relative wealth have changed.