Condom Market Size, Share & Growth Analysis By Type (Male and Female), Material (Latex and Non-latex), Distribution Channel (Mass Merchandisers, Drug Stores/Pharmacies, Online Retail Stores, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global condom market size was worth USD 5.31 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow from USD 5.87 billion in 2021 to USD 10.97 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period of 2021-2028.

The market saw 18.45% growth in 2020 due to a positive demand shock during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the pandemic subsides, demand and growth are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels, resulting in a sudden fall in CAGR.

Condoms are one of the foremost contraceptive products, which have helped minimize the risk of several sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, contraception and the prevention of STDs are two key factors driving the demand for condoms. Although male-based products majorly drive the market, female-based products are receiving positive attributes. This is owing to the rising awareness among females regarding the side effects of other medicinal pill-based contraceptives that can adversely affect women’s health. Besides, increasing awareness regarding the risk of HIV infection spread through sex workers is likely to support the adoption of the product.  For instance, as per the UNAIDS Global HIV & AIDS Statistics - 2020 fact sheet, sex workers have about 30 times higher risk of HIV infection. Therefore, increasing awareness regarding contraceptives is expected to increase the adoption of these products.

Promotion Campaigns on Digital Media to Spike the Demand

Stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus pandemic period increased the demand for public health products. However, the pandemic posed issues in the accessibility and supply of sexual wellness products due to restrictions on manufacturing facilities and shipment of non-essential goods across the world.

Therefore, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) provided a summary in their brief published in April 2020 ‘Condoms and lubricants in the time of COVID-19’. It has provided necessary actions that needed to be taken to sustain supplies of these products during the time of COVID-19 to ensure unintended pregnancies and other concerns of unprotected sex do not surface during the lockdown.

A few of their suggested actions include the ‘inclusion of this contraceptive product in emergency support services as necessary along with other essentials such as food deliveries and masks at vulnerable households, strengthening product promotion through social media such as dating apps, and placing dispensers for this product at critical spots to facilitate community access to these products if retail shops are closed due to lockdown among others.

Manufacturers experienced a slight decline in demand for the product in the first half of 2020. For instance, as per the HY 2020 results released by Reckitt Benckiser on 28^th July 2020, demand for Durex products of Reckitt Benckiser declined in Europe and developing markets where the company operates in Q2 of 2020. As per the same source, this decline for Durex products was attributed to social distancing and strict lockdown rules imposed in the majority of the countries that also led to limited access to such products.

However, the company witnessed double-digit growth for its Durex brand in revenue in Q3 2020 as the lockdown restrictions were loosened. The supply chain was getting on a track that increased product availability. Therefore, the demand-supply gap is likely to shorten as the lockdown is likely to be released in the majority of the countries shortly.

LATEST TRENDS OF CONDOM MARKET

Emergence of New Designs and Flavors to Boost Demand

Manufacturers are launching new sweet as well as savory flavors in products to attract consumers. For instance, in January 2018, Manforce released their new Adrak (ginger) flavored product with honey.

Similarly, consumers demand products that are more comfortable to wear and do not create hindrances during intercourse. Therefore, market players are focusing on increasing material quality as well as design to improve convenience. For instance, in December 2018, a company named ‘ONE’ launched a new ‘UltraFeel’ product. These are ONE’s thinnest product that is also provided with a 2ml lubricant pouch.

Besides, other types such as glow-in-the-dark textured and dotted and spermicidal lubricated products such as those with lubricant coats that can kill sperm and thereby decrease chances of pregnancy are gaining attention.

Therefore, new designs and flavors are likely to increase the sales of the product.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Awareness Regarding Birth Control Needs to Excel Market Size

Consistent and proper use of this product can effectively lead to contraception, and that is the major propelling factor for the condom industry's growth. For instance, as per the report Contraceptive Use by Method 2019 of the United Nations, the prevalence of male contraceptive products has increased from 4.5% in 1994 to 10.0% in 2019 globally. As per the same report, the number of women (those with reproductive age of 15 to 49 years) relying on male-based products as a means of contraception has substantially increased from 64 million in 1994 to 189 million in 2019.

Other birth control methods such as oral pills can have an adverse effect and a hormonal imbalance that can lead to serious health concerns for females. Similarly, rising educational levels among women have positively supported market growth as they demand their sex partners to use efficient birth control products. Therefore, convenient usage is likely to increase its adoption as compared to other methods.

Vital Initiatives for Minimizing STDs to Promote Product Usage

The government is making efforts toward sex education programs to increase awareness regarding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and reduce their prevalence. For instance, as per the UNAIDS Global HIV & AIDS Statistics — 2020 fact sheet, about 38.0 million world population was reported to have HIV infection in 2019. Therefore, governments are focusing on introducing relationships and sex education at an early stage at the school level, which is likely to propel product demand shortly. Other initiatives include collaborative programs such as ‘The 100% condom use program’ in Asia, several campaigns such as ‘Protect against STIs - Public Health England,’ and initiatives such as ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Week’ ‘World Contraceptive Day’ among others.

Respective government authorities and NGOs working for people with STDs are making efforts to increase awareness regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as the use of contraceptives, and thereby, are likely to add impetus to the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Tearing Issues as well as Occurrence of Allergies to Hamper Market Growth

Splitting or tearing of male or female-based products and allergies to male or female genitals due to the material or lubricant used in it is likely to pose a challenge to product consumption. Besides, lower awareness in low-income countries and inadequate access to sexual wellness products in rural areas will likely limit the market growth.

CONDOM MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Male Segment to Dominate Owing to Greater Consumption Rate

The market is segmented into male and female product types. The male condom segment dominated the market due to the higher usage rate, greater availability, and relatively lower cost than female condoms. However, the increasing literacy rate among women and rising awareness regarding teenage pregnancy have led to a growing demand among females.  

Players are also focusing on making convenient female-based products owing to its increasing demand. For instance, in March 2019, IXu launched its new VA female-based product online in Europe with a CE mark. Therefore, the female segment is expected to grow at a significant rate.

By Material Analysis

Latex Segment to Hold a Leading Position Due to Traditional Usage

The market is segmented as latex and non-latex. The latex condom segment holds a major condom market share due to its traditional usage in making these rubber products due to its excellent stretchability and strength compared to non-latex materials such as polyurethane. However, certain adverse effects such as urinary infections, itching or pain in genital areas, and other allergies caused by latex have shifted consumer preference towards non-latex products.

Therefore, players are focusing on introducing safer latex products that do not affect the user's health. For instance, in December 2019, a new brand Bleu was launched that offers organic latex-based products. It does not contain any toxic chemicals in the lubricant and does not have any carcinogenic agents in the rubber material.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Mass Merchandisers Segment to Grow Rapidly due to Purchase Convenience

The market is segmented as mass merchandisers, drug stores/pharmacies, online retail stores, and others. The drug stores/pharmacies segment held a major market share owing to the availability of trusted brands. The mass merchandiser segment is expected to grow substantially as consumers tend to purchase all household-use items under one roof. Health and wellness products are carefully sorted on shelves at such stores that enable a customer to easily compare and choose the required product from the wide availability of brands.

However, online purchasing is increasing among the population due to the ease of placing orders easy payment options, and home-delivery services. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted consumer preference toward online sales channels due to the closures of retail shops, wherein the trend of online buying is expected to continue shortly.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS OF THE CONDOM MARKET

The ever-increasing population and increasing education level have made the population in the Asia Pacific more aware of birth control methods. Similarly, countries such as China are continuously focusing on implementing childbearing policies that are helping the nation to control its population. Therefore, such initiatives are likely to aid in reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies.  For instance, the report, Contraceptive Use by Method 2019 of the United Nations, in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, mentions that condoms are one of the most prevalent contraceptive methods accounting for 17% share in 2019.

As per the same report, in Europe and Northern America, this product type accounts for the market with a share of 14.6% among all contraceptive methods in 2019. A social trend of having multiple sex partners in European countries has made Europe hold a significant stake in the market owing to the greater usage rate of contraceptive products.

North America's market stood at USD 1.86 billion in 2020 and held a major market share. The presence of a well-educated population and greater awareness regarding birth control products in the U.S. and Canada are the factors responsible for a dominant share of North America. For instance, as per the U.S. CDC’s survey ‘Condom and Contraceptive Use Among Sexually Active High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019’, about 89.7% of sexually active students (those who had sexual contact with the opposite sex), had used the product or a primary contraceptive method during last sexual intercourse. In the survey, these products were reported to be the most prevalent primary contraceptive method at last sexual intercourse accounting for 43.9%, as compared to birth control pills (23.3%) and intrauterine device IUD or implant (4.8%).

Government initiatives to reduce the spread of STDs in low-income countries in the Middle East and Africa are further likely to fuel product demand. For instance, as per Swaziland National AIDS Program data, the percentage of young people (having aged between 15-24) who reported use of the product during their first sex increased from 43.2% in 2007 to 55% in 2015 and 65% in 2018 for women, wherein it increased from 49% in 2007 to 60% in 2015 and 70% in 2018 for men.

Besides, the escalating growth of the urban population in Latin American countries has resulted in a surge in the adoption of hook-up culture. This is thus anticipated to have a significant contribution in paving a path for the growing usage of the product. For instance, published by the World Bank.Org, the urban population of Brazil in 2019 was 86.82 % which is a rise from 86.57% in 2018.

Therefore, favorable initiatives for birth control and minimizing the spread of STDs are likely to promote the use of effective contraceptive methods globally and thereby boost market growth.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players are Focusing on Novel Product Offering to Expand Their Presence

Players are focusing on developing novel product designs to attract consumers, such as those with innovative flavors and lubricants. Besides, they are focusing on making their products eco-friendly and safer for consumers, such as the use of eco-friendly materials and the responsible use of utilities in the product manufacturing process. For instance, a German manufacturer Ritex has used EKOenergy-labelled electricity for their sustainable product range, ‘PRO NATURE.’

Therefore, new product launches, adoption of environmentally friendly production processes, and mergers and acquisitions strategies are likely to support the manufacturers in business growth.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Reckitt Benckiser Group (Slough, U.K.)


• LifeStyles Healthcare Pte Ltd (Melbourne, Australia)


• Caution Wear Corp. (New Hampshire, USA)


• Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (Ewing, U.S.)


• Cupid Limited (Nashik, India)


• Karex Berhad (Selangor, Malaysia)


• CPR GmbH (Sarstedt, Germany)


• ONE Condoms (Massachusetts, USA)


• Sagami Rubber Industries Co., Ltd. (Kanagawa, Japan)


• Okamoto Industries, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• October 2020: Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc launched the new ‘Durex 001’. This is the company’s first PU-based product which is expected to expand the company’s product portfolio.


• June 2019 – A company named Lifestyles introduced their new product, ‘Ultra-Sensitive Platinum,’ which is the thinnest latex-based product. It is about 52% thinner as compared to a regular type and is lubricated with premium ULTRA GLIDE.

CONDOM MARKET REPORT COVERAGE

The global condom market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as competitive landscape, materials, and leading product types. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments.

In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

CONDOM MARKET Report Scope & Segmentation