Typewriter Market

The typewriter market is forecasted to experience growth in both volume and value terms from 2022 to 2030, with China being the largest consumer and producer. The market performance is expected to show a positive trend, with notable fluctuations in certain years. Consumption, production, imports, and exports are all analyzed in detail, providing valuable insights into the global typewriter market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for typewriters and word-processing machines worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.2M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $126M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Typewriters And Word-Processing Machines

For the eighth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in consumption of typewriters and word-processing machines, which increased by 1.8% to 3.4M units in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a resilient increase. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

The global typewriter market revenue expanded slightly to $89M in 2022, with an increase of 3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +3.2% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $97M in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (2.1M units) remains the largest typewriter consuming country worldwide, accounting for 63% of total volume. Moreover, typewriter consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Malaysia (343K units), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Hong Kong SAR (298K units), with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +25.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Malaysia (+15.7% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-1.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($39M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($7.6M). It was followed by Hong Kong SAR.

In China, the typewriter market increased at an average annual rate of +24.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Malaysia (+14.9% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-3.7% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of typewriter per capita consumption was registered in Hong Kong SAR (39 units per 1000 persons), followed by Singapore (17 units per 1000 persons), Malaysia (10 units per 1000 persons) and the UK (2.1 units per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of typewriter was estimated at 0.4 units per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the typewriter per capita consumption in Hong Kong SAR amounted to -2.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Singapore (+0.6% per year) and Malaysia (+13.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Typewriters And Word-Processing Machines

In 2022, the amount of typewriters and word-processing machines produced worldwide stood at 3.1M units, standing approx. at the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, typewriter production expanded to $55M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 24%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $115M in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (2.1M units) remains the largest typewriter producing country worldwide, accounting for 69% of total volume. Moreover, typewriter production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Malaysia (343K units), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the UK (145K units), with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Malaysia (+3.8% per year) and the UK (+9.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Typewriters And Word-Processing Machines

In 2022, approx. 349K units of typewriters and word-processing machines were imported worldwide; with an increase of 6% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at 612K units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, typewriter imports rose modestly to $13M in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $54M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

Hong Kong SAR prevails in imports structure, amounting to 299K units, which was near 86% of total imports in 2022. The following importers - Democratic Republic of the Congo (8.4K units), Bangladesh (6.3K units) and Angola (5.3K units) - each amounted to a 5.8% share of total imports.

Imports into Hong Kong SAR decreased at an average annual rate of -1.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bangladesh (+100.6%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+83.9%) and Angola (+4.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bangladesh emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +100.6% from 2012-2022. While the share of Hong Kong SAR (+28 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.4 p.p.) and Bangladesh (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($5.8M) constitutes the largest market for imported typewriters and word-processing machines worldwide, comprising 44% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Angola ($189K), with a 1.4% share of global imports. It was followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a 0.8% share.

In Hong Kong SAR, typewriter imports shrank by an average annual rate of -5.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Angola (-4.3% per year) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+28.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average typewriter import price stood at $38 per unit in 2022, shrinking by -3.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 25%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $136 per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($35 per unit), while Bangladesh ($7.4 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (-4.1%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Typewriters And Word-Processing Machines

In 2022, shipments abroad of typewriters and word-processing machines was finally on the rise to reach 53K units for the first time since 2014, thus ending a seven-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, faced a precipitous contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 7.3%. The global exports peaked at 2.2M units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, typewriter exports stood at $1.6M in 2022. In general, exports, however, faced a sharp decrease. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at $70M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, South Korea (20K units) represented the key exporter of typewriters and word-processing machines, creating 38% of total exports. Panama (7.6K units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 14% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (9.7%), Singapore (8.8%), Senegal (7.3%) and Japan (4.6%). China (1.9K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

South Korea was also the fastest-growing in terms of the typewriters and word-processing machines exports, with a CAGR of +55.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Senegal (+22.4%) and Panama (+13.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Singapore (-12.2%), Saudi Arabia (-16.4%), Japan (-19.1%) and China (-49.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Korea (+38 p.p.), Panama (+14 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+8.3 p.p.), Singapore (+8.1 p.p.), Senegal (+7.3 p.p.) and Japan (+3.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while China saw its share reduced by -78.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Panama ($471K) remains the largest typewriter supplier worldwide, comprising 29% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($189K), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 10% share.

In Panama, typewriter exports increased at an average annual rate of +44.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+32.5% per year) and Japan (-17.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average typewriter export price amounted to $31 per unit, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 129%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $66 per unit in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($68 per unit), while Saudi Arabia ($4.6 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Panama (+26.9%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform