1. Diapers

The global market size ranges from USD 48 billion to USD 91 billion as per different sources. Perhaps something to do with market size calculation of baby diapers and adult diapers. Statista puts baby diaper market size at USD 60.75 billion in 2025. A different site (imarc) puts baby diaper market at ~$70 billion, and adult market at $20.7 billion. Another segregation is disposable and non-disposable kind of diapers. So - Adult and Baby diapers. Then disposable and non-disposable. Hence perhaps different ways of tracking the market.

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Demand drivers 

Baby -  Around 133 million babies are born every year, of which 64 million in Asia, followed by 46 million in Africa. India had 23 million births and China, 8.9 million births in 2023. Next are Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia. US has 2.6 million births every year. (In 1990 this was 144 million births, after which it declined, and then in 2012, another peak of 146 million births, and since then general decline.)

(The colour/shape/ distribution of world is a shifting thing. Has always been a shifting, evolving thing. Between people, countries, races, ideas. There is no permanent world. It is a world in progress).

Globally 654 million children are currently under 5 years of age. 

So not just babies born, but the changing consumption habits - the shift to disposable is driving this demand. In fact more than the number of births, it is the shift of habits esp in countries which are still developing. For example, I come from a developing country and I was not a major consumer of disposable diapers for my kid. But at present times, say in 2 decades, the habits have shifted.

Another shift is biodegradable diapers. Slowly increasing percentages. 

Adult -  Increasing older people. "According to the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), 10% of the total global population is aged 65 years and older."

Additionally, better technology and increasing acceptance of its uage drives this market.

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Some of the key players in this space:

US/ Kimberley Clark  (Huggies)- $7.1 billion in baby and child care sales. Total company revenue of $ 20 billion

Unicharm - (Japanese). Nappies. ($6.49 billion revenue)

"Yuni Chāmu kabushiki kaisha) is a Japanese company that manufactures disposable hygiene products, household cleaning products, specializing in the manufacture of diapers for both babies and adult incontinence, feminine hygiene products and pet care products. The company has operations in 80 countries and is a market leader in Asia in baby and feminine care products. It holds the top share of diaper sales in China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. Also its market share is rapidly expanding in India, nearly doubling its sales every two years."

US/ Proctor and Gamble (Pampers) - Plays in many different fields. Beauty (hair care etc), grooming, health care, fabric and home care and baby, feminine and family care. Of the $84 billiuon total revenue (FY2024), 24% is by the last segment which includes nappies and adult diapers as well. Fabric and Home care 36%

Japan/ Kao Corporation - This has similar product mix as P&G. Revenue of $10.7 billion\? (Seems more fashion brands)

A couple of Swedish brands, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA)

Honest group

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"Newborns go through a significant number of disposable diapers, particularly in their first year. Parents typically change their baby's diaper approximately 3,000 times during this period. This number may vary based on the baby's age and diet, among other factors."

Age Range	Estimated Diapers Used per Day	Estimated Diapers Used per Year
Newborn (0-1 month)	10-12	300-360
Infant (1-12 months)	8-10	2,920-3,600
Total in First Year		3,000