Age

The proportion of the population of Malaysia below the age of 15 years decreased to 27.6 per
cent compared with 33.3 per cent in 2000. In contrast, the proportion of working
age population (15 to 64 years) increased to 67.3 per cent from 62.8 per cent. The proportion
of population aged 65 years and over also increased to 5.1 per cent as compared with 3.9 per
cent in 2000. Consequently, the median age increased from 23.6 years in 2000 to 26.2 years
in 2010, while the dependency ratio dropped from 59.2 per cent to 48.5 per cent. The trend of
these indicators is in line with the transition of age structure towards aging population of
Malaysia.

Executive summary@ http://www.hoverkicks.com/blogs/news/88333059-light-up-shoesremember-wearing-them-as-a-kid-here-is-the-history-of-led-shoes-throughout-time

History of LED Shoes Throughout Time.

If you were a kid during the 1990s, you probably have fond memories of your LED sneakers
running shoes that lit up every time you took a step. Youd put them on and lace them up,
and then every time your heel hit the ground an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) in the heel
would light up to announce to the world (or at least to anyone watching you run) that you
were running at the edge of the fashion curve.

But how did sneakers evolve into such a futuristic form? This is the story of how ordinary
shoes evolved into sneakers, and how sneakers evolved into LED-adorned fashion
statements.

1917the Birth of Sneakers

Up until the mid nineteenth century, most shoes were plain, uninteresting, and simply boring.
They were made in such a uniform way that most people didnt even have a left and right
shoeone shoe was pretty much the same as any other.

That all changed in 1917, with the introduction of the first rubber-soled shoes. People began
to call them sneakers on account of how much quieter they were than traditional shoes,
enabling the wearer to easily sneak up on someone. Get it? Sneakers?

Although sneakers were designed for athletic activity, their flexible rubber soles made them
so comfortable that they soon became popular for everyday wear. At the time of their debut,
the first sneakers were considered high end, luxury items due to the working class having
much less leisure time than now. Not to mention the cost of rubber was extremely expensive.
These conditions changed during the first half of the twentieth century, however, as the
American working class became more prosperous, and sneakers quickly overtook traditional
shoes in popularitytoday the athletic shoe industry makes hundreds of millions of pairs on
sneakers each year, raking in billions of dollars annually!

The 1970s and 80sSneakers Go High-Tech and High Fashion

By the end of World War II, most people wore sneakers for most everyday activities where
they had long since ceased to be status symbols. But by the 1970s most Americans had a fair
amount of disposable income, and shoe companies began marketing more expensive product
lines meant to be worn not on the ball field or to the grocery store, but to the nightclub. These
colorful shoes were emblazoned with carefully designed company logos. Sneakers were well
on their way to becoming status symbols again.

Another change that came about in the 70s was that podiatrists began to work with shoe
manufacturers to design better shoes for athletes in order to reduce injuries and enhance
performance. These innovations quickly caught the attention of the general public, and soon
everyone wanted more comfortable, ergonomic shoes that were also catchy and had
personality.

As the 70s faded into the 80s, this trend became noticeable in pop culture, which accelerated
its growth. Famous professional athletesespecially NBA basketball playersbegan to
appear more frequently in sneaker advertisements, and actor Sean Penn appeared in the 1982
movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High wearing a sneaker brand that was well known and well
loved by Southern Californias ubiquitous skateboarding culture. The rap group Run DMC
made their sneakers an important part of their image, and even went so far as to write songs
about their chosen brand.

The 1990sSneakers Get Even More High-Tech

The 1990s saw sneakers status rise even higher, as basketball began to eclipse baseball as
Americas favorite sport, and NBA superstars like Michael Jordan became highly visible in
ad campaigns. Gimmicks began to appear, such as inflatable shoes, which featured a button
on the tongue that pumped air into the shoe. The ostensible purpose of this pumping
mechanism was to customize the fit of the shoe to the shape of the wearers foot, and some of
the ads for these inflatable shoes implied that the air cushion enhanced performance on the
basketball court, enabling the wearer to jump higher.

In 1992, however, the most fabulous innovation finally hit store shelvesLight Up Shoes (or
LED Shoes). As soon as LED sneakers became available, every kid in America had to have a
pair, and the company that made them sold 5 million pairs within a year!

1992the LED Sneaker Craze

At first the mania for LED sneakers was confined mainly to kids. The light-up shoes made
their first retail appearance at Kids Foot Locker, where they sold for $50 a pair. Brands soon

proliferated, and high schools and junior highs all across America were soon lit up by kids
flashing footsteps. The kids who were the target market for LED sneakers at the time were
seduced by the novelty of the lights, which they saw as a way to impress their peers.

Unfortunately, some of these early LED sneakers had a seriousand dangerousdesign

flaw: unsafe levels of mercury in the batteries. Many parents became extremely fearful about
putting these shoes on their childrens feet, and the state of Minnesota even went so far as the
ban the sale of LED sneakers altogether. Sales continued to be surprisingly brisk despite these
setbacks, but gradually the publics mood soured, and the company that had introduced LED
sneakers hit a downturn from which it never completely recovered.

Todays LED SneakersNot Just for Kids

Today, the kids who wore those LED sneakers in the 1990s are all grown up, and many of
them feel a strong sense of nostalgia for the fun, magical sneakers of their youth. It may seem
quaint to say this today, but those LED sneakers were the first electronic gadgets many of
those kids ever possessed, and many of those now-grown kids feel theyd like to re-capture a
bit of that magic. Or at least be able to buy a safe pair for their kids

Accordingly, LED sneakers are making a fierce comeback. Enter HoverKicks, a new line
of cool LED sneakers for adults. These light-up shoes have a more modern style, with LED
lights encircling the sole of the shoe rather than just in the heel, and they come in a stunning
array of designs. Some come in simple, solid colors, while others feature wild graphic
designs. These grown-up LED sneakers come with safe, USB-rechargeable batteries (which
contain no mercury), and one charge is good for over six hours.
So whether you are purchasing them for yourself, your child, or both - HoverKicks are the
way to go.

A brief history of sandals

The origin of sandals is pre-history and extends long before todays plastic flip flops. Sandals
have beautified feet since the beginning of civilization and were worn to adorn, complement
status, and demonstrate station. Unlike daggy thongs, sandals were restricted to only the few
and have been around for at least 10,000 years. They coincide with the Neolithic Age (or
New Stone Age) and although speculative footprints indicate a presence before this, absence
of archeological evidence makes it impossible to date when shoes started to be worn. The
wide geographical locations (including America, China, Egypt and Mesopotamia) support
footwear was a spontaneous innovation made from available resources and contemporary
with the development of basketry. For your delectation I intend to outline a brief history of
sandals and how, in the spirit of zeitgeist, they reflect the latest technology and influence
historical events.
The oldest sandals

The oldest known shoes were discovered in Fort Rock Cave, Oregon (1938). Made from
woven sagebrush bark these have been radio-carbon dated to at least, 10,000 years old. A
simple platform (made from woven fabric) with toe and heel attachments (thongs) woven
from rope. Longer than the foot, the front part was folded in a pocket to protect the toes and
the sandal strapped to the foot with a thong. Rabbit fur and pine needles were sometimes
added for comfort. More recent finds dated to 7,500-year-old demonstrate an increase range
of styles including pointed and rounded toes with many incorporating decorative flourishes.
Many prehistoric shoes had obvious signs of repair. The first inclusion of animal hides dates
to 6500 years ago with the discovery of the Iceman. Many believe skins held magical
properties to our ancestors and were worn to capture admirable elements such as swiftness
and bravery. Clothing continued to distinguish rank and status. Examples of early Australian
sandals are rare not least because few indigenous tribes were thought to wear them. Where
examples do exist, (some tribes in the Northern Territory and adjoining desert country) these
appear to be of similar style to New Stone Age sandals.

The Cradle of Civilization

Footwear became more evident by the beginning of the Cradle of Civilization (Sumeria, circa
4th millennium BCE). Still reserved for the privileged, Sumerians were noted artisans and
used animal skins. Sandals with a turned up toe (circa 3000 BCE) were worn by the
aristocracy with the earliest known depictions seen on the Assyrian, Black Obelisk of
Shalmaneser III (circa 841 BCE). Bending back toes was thought to be a practical innovation
to assist with walking. Other styles included elevated sandals (as in wedged heels) crafted in
fabric or soft leather and adorned with jewelry. The seafaring Phoenicians (1550 BCE to 300
BCE) ensured fashionable dyed footwear spread throughout the known world i.e. Ancient
Egypt (3200 BCE 343 BCE), India (2800 BCE - 1500 BCE) and China). Babylonians
(1696 1654 BCE) preferred perfumed sandals made from fine kid leathers, and dyed red.
Footwear was also decorated with trinkets and bling. The Persians (600BCE) wore exotic

wooden platform sandals (paduka) with a toe separator between the first and second toe.
Sandals were intricately inlaid with pearl and other semi precious stones and commonly worn
in bath houses and harems. Persian priests wore well crafted sandals and Persian soldiers
wore sandals with brass leg protectors (greaves). It is widely held belief the armies of
Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BCE) who conquered half the world, went barefoot.
Generally shoes were considered to represent the material world and unclean. They were
customarily removed in the presence of superiors and on holy ground.

The Greeks

Ancient Greeks adapted footwear for every type of activity, with emphasis on beauty,
elegance, and refinement. Sandals were extravagantly decorated with rich ornamentation
although sumptuary laws did at times prevent Greek women from wearing more than three
articles of clothing. Hence most went barefoot although Aphrodite was often depicted naked
except for a pair of sandals. Height and colour remained clear indications of social class with
strap and thong arrangements important to station. Courtesans wore soft leather footwear
dyed white, green, lemon or yellow and betrothed girls and young brides wore sandals made
from dyed white leather. By the time of Homer (1000-700 BCE), the Krepis (soldiers shoe)
was a thong with ankle strapping and a tongue (or linula over the instep). These were adapted
for woman and lady's Krepis were brightly coloured, anklet sandal often preferred by women
of ill repute (or salmakides). Early sexworkers caught the attention of their clients with a
"clack" sound made when wooden thongs hit the street cobbles. Some adopted the
Mediterranean custom of carving Follow Me, on the undersurface of the soles.
Philosophers and comic actors wore baxeae, i.e. sandals made from willow leaves, twigs, or
fibres. Tragic actors, horsemen, hunters, and men of rank and authority were platform sandals
(Kothormos /cothurnus) made with layers of cork. In Greek mythology sandals held deeper
significance and were generally thought to separate mortals from the Underworld (Hell).
Consequently shoe adornments with amulets or cosmetikos, became popular. A carved tongue
or lingual (free spirit), visibly confirmed a free person or citizen.

The Egyptians

The earliest depiction of Egyptian sandals dates to 5000 ya. Sandals were carried by servants
when superiors were engaged in official duties. No one is sure of the significance of this.
Sandal making became well established and was depicted in the Tomb of Rekhmire (1550-c.
1292 BCE) at the Necropolis of Thebes. The process was broken into different components
and sandals were made with a thicker outsole and softer thinner insole. The layers were
stitched with waxed threads by specific tools many of which still exist today. Artisans tanned
animal hides with vegetable and mineral oils which turned the leather white. Dying white
leather achieved rich colours. The process of making sumptuous costume remained costly
ensuring shoes were the preserve of the privileged. Pharaohs wore peaked toed sandals
similar to the Assyrians (1200 BCE). By 1300 BCE, shoes became more common and going

bare foot was considered dclass. Ordinary people wore sandals made from braided papyrus.
The Egyptians were the first to modified shoe styles to different occupations e.g. butchers. By
5th c BCE, Egyptian priests were required to wear papyrus sandals. Like other from antiquity
Egyptians drew faces of their enemies on their sandals so they could stand on them. In the
tomb of the boy king, Tutankhamen (1292 BCE) a large collection of shoes and sandals were
found. These were made from a variety of materials and included gold, vegetable fibre, birch
bark, leather, all decorated with gemstones. Some sandals had obvious alterations thought to
accommodate Tutankhamens foot deformities. In other tombs such as the tradesmen tombs at
Deir-el-Medineh (19th Dynasty 1298 to 1187 BCE), there were several pairs of funereal
sandals made from glass and faience (earthenware). Generally Queens of the Nile were
admired for their bejeweled footwear. The section of the sandal where toe thongs were
attached was called 'nkh. Many experts believe the Ankh (symbol for life) represents a
flattened thong.

Biblical Sandals

There are no surviving artifacts or descriptions of Judean shoes from the period of the early
Bible. Hebrews learned to prepare animal hides when they were captured by the Egyptians
(circa 13th century BCE). They took this trade with them to the Promised Land and perhaps
the first actual shoe miracle was the Hebrew tribes survived the long journey wearing shoes
that never wore out.

"And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes are not waxen old upon you,
and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot." (Deut. 29:5)

It is thought Biblical sandals were either made of leather or wooden footboards held to the
foot with finer leather thongs. Traditional Jewish laws; or Torah, regulated Hebrew life
including how to put on and take off sandals, i.e. right first and always tied from the left.
Clothing became a clear indication of identity and conscious mark of reverence. In the Book
of Judith, she meets and bowls over the revered Assyrian general, Holofernes. So impressed
is he with her beauty and in particular the richness of her feet and sandals which ravished his
eyes," he plans to seduce her. The tables are turned when Judith waits for him to fall into a
drunken sleep and cuts his head off with his own sword. Subsequently her sexualized
femininity combined with masculine aggression inspired many artists to paint her. The lyric
in the Song of Song (circa 900 BCE) confirms sandals were worn by the high born.

"How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince's daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels,
the work of a craftsman's hands. (Song of Songs 7:1).

In Biblical Times shoes became associated with sensuousness, comfort, luxury and pleasure
and the thought of wearing shabby or worn out shoes was absurd. By the 8th century BCE
elders of Jerusalem were concerned at young Hebrew women many of whom were wearing
elevated sandals, decorated with serpents. Often a sweet-heart's name and likeness was
engraved on a metal plate was placed under the heel, so that it left an imprint on the ground
wherever they went.

Moreover, the LORD said, Because the daughters of Zion are proud and walk with heads
held high and seductive eyes, And go along with mincing steps And tinkle the bangles on
their feet, Therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, And
the LORD will make their foreheads bare. (Isaiah 3 16-20). (139)

By the time of the New Testament, walking was the primary means of travel and the
Disciples were encouraged to protect their feet when called upon to spread the gospel. They
were cautioned against wearing anything other than humble sandals, however lest they
offended potential converts.

"I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Take neither purse nor pack, nor sandals."
(Luke 10:1-16).

By the Middle Ages priests occupied an important position in ancient societies and performed
their offices, barefoot. However the hierarchy of the newly formed church indulged
themselves in sumptuous dress. Under "Sovereign's law," promulgated by Charlemagne (742814 AD), clerics were required to wear sandals when celebrating mass. Franciscan monks
wore wooden sandals devoid of fashion and symbolism as a visible sign of their inner
humility and purity. Pilgrims often went barefoot, or put a stone in their shoe to do penance
for their sins.

The Holy Prophet, Muhammad (570 632)

Heregarded shoes as impure and commanded the faithful remove all dirt from their sandals
prior to praying. In pragmatic style it became easier to remove shoes. Frequent prayer (and
shoe removal) ensured babouche slippers became the preferred footwear of Muslims.
Because the Moorish Empire dwarfed the Roman Empire and chronologically flowed into the
Middle Ages their influence on costume was unsurpassed. Soft and sumptuous Moroccan
leathers made Cordova in Spain the centre for quality leather which began to influence the
costume of the occidental courts.

The Romans

Greece was conquered in 146 BCE but Greek styles continued to influence Roman clothing.
After the Bronze Age Etruscans (800 264 BCE), the Romans stiffened their sandals with
tacks to secure the sole to the upper. The more robust footwear was further strengthened with
hobnails (or clavata). These were adapted by the army and Caligula was worn by all ranks up
to and including, centurions. Foot soldiers could travel greater distances which is one credible
reason why the Roman Empire grew so big. The margins were so far apart from the capital
supply from Mother Rome was impractical and local craftsmen were trained in the art of
Roman sandal making. Provincial footwear styles, like Galoshes from Gaul were adapted.
Many styles of footwear were developed and shoes with a tongue (linula) were restricted to
free citizens of Rome.

Colour continued to distinguish social status with red the prerogative of the Emperor. Julius
Caesar reserved red and purple for himself and his sons. During the luxurious days of the late
Roman Empire, sandals were decorated with gold and precious stones. Returning heroes
replaced bronze nails, with gold or silver tacks. When fancy footwear became too
ostentatious laws were passed to ban expensive bling.

Claudius II /Nero (AD 37-68) wore silver soled shoes and his wife Poppaea, had sandals
made from poured gold with straps encrusted with rare stones. Neros indulgencies brought
the empire to the brink of bankruptcy. To save the day it was decreed all gold and silver coins
be returned to the treasury to be replaced with base metal currency. Citizens began hoarding
and shoemakers were quick to cash in offering footwear for real money. Shoe making became
clandestine with expensive footwear encrusted with diamonds and precious metals sold under
the counter and often at night. Many early Christian converts became sandal makers earning
their living at night and spreading the gospels during the day.

Caches of Roman sandals found in the UK reveal people of two millennium past had the
same feet and foot problems as we do, today. Emperor Heliogabalus (AD 218-222) liked his
shoes decorated with diamonds and other precious stones engraved by the finest artists. He
took great exception to patricians wearing ornamented shoes and tried unsuccessfully to stop
the fashion. Emperor Lucius Domitius Aurelianus (AD 270 - 275) was more concerned about
mens shoes and forbade them from wearing red, yellow and green shoes. He did however
relent and allowed patricians to choose materials and colours freely.

After the fall of the Roman Empire sandal making was almost lost to Europe and kept alive
only with pockets of craftsmen scattered on the perimeters of the old Empire. During the
Middle Ages in Occidental Society sandals were rarely worn but during the 15c century they
made an appearance as disguised orthopaedic sandals around the time of Henry VIII. A
century later as shoes became more ornate then the wooden sandals were modified to protect
delicate footwear and worn as overshoes or pattens.

India

It is impossible to know the true origins of shoes because costume exchange was common
place along the Spice and Silk routes. Archetypal sandals of India and the Far East were made
of straw but Mendicants (beggars), holy men (sadhu) and gurus wore paduka (wooden
sandals) which stood off the ground with two narrow stilts. Paduka (circa 3000 BCE), were
cut roughly in the shape of a footprint (or fish as the symbol of fertility) and held next to the
foot with a stub (knob) between the big and second toes. Finer toe knob sandals were worn by
the rich and made from teak, ebony and sandalwood. These were intricately inlaid with ivory
or wire. Sometimes bells adorned the sandals of a bride formed part of a bride's trousseau. A
Brahmin prayer.

"Forgive me Mother Earth the sin of injury, the violence I do, by placing my feet upon you
this morning."

In rural areas handcrafted sandals (Chappals) were made from processed leather (buffalo,
goat or cow) from circa 3000 BCE, but after the Muslim conquest of India in the 11c, the
babouche (slippers) with turned up toes became prevalent.

Japan

In Japan by the 1st century, Zori (Tatami Sandals), or flat bottomed sandals, were made of
straw with a leather thong between the first and second toes. These were worn with tabi, a
white cotton foot covering (like socks) with a split toe, between the big toe and the other four
toes for the sandal thong. Tabi were the only foot coverings traditionally permitted on the
tatami mat-covered floors inside Japanese houses. Double-soled zori, (symbolic of the
impending union) were often given as an engagement gifts from future groom to his bride. By
the 17th century during the Edo period (1603-1867), getas became fashionable. These were
wooden (cryptomeria) platforms sandal held to the feet with a flexible thong (sometimes rope
or a black velveteen fabric) and worn with a woven tatami insole for extra comfort. Getas are
worn barefoot and were produced during the Meiji period (1868-1912) which made them
more economically accessible to everyone. Lacquer was used to decorate them. During the
feudal era of Japan (12th and 19th centuries), samurai class and foot soldiers (ashigaru) wore
Waraji. The sole of the Waraji (Japan) was woven and tied according to status. Replace pairs
were carried around their waist and the superstitious left straw sandals as an offering in
prayer for safety before starting a long journey.

China, Korea and the Far East

Generally peasant sandals were made of woven rice straw. Chinese sandals were functional
and often embellished with knotting but by comparison to Korean straw sandals (Jipsin),
fairly crude. Other parts of the Far East wore variations on the wooden thong and these are
considered unique to these regions. In Singapore the thong attachment is a strap across the
top of the foot which follows the metatarsal heads. Known as the Singapore Slide and the
design later became incorporated into the Scholl Exercise Sandal. In the Philippines the
wooden platform were decorated with intricate and ornate carvings. During the Second World
War US troops posted to the Pacific took wooden thongs home as souvenirs and many believe
this was why sandals became popular in the US after the war.

Spain and South America

Espadrilles (made from espardea or esparto grass) were initially confined to Southern
France, Spain and Portugal. But by the 15th century the Conquistadors took them to South
America there they became incorporated with local native craft and remnants are still seen in
the Havaiana (Brazil) and Huaraches (Columbia and Mexico). After the invention of
vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear (1844), rubber soled thongs began to appear. Sandal
made with old tyres became popular in the 30s and both espadrilles and huarache sandals
were especially favoured by bohemians and surfers in North America.

20th Century Sandal Renaissance

Sandals made a remarkable fashion comeback in the early 20th Century. The popularity of
silent cinema ensured millions saw the new biblical epics from Hollywood. Keen to have
authentic costume master shoe makers like Salvatore Ferragamo made thousands of sandals
for the cast. The absence of actual historical examples meant designs were based on Victorian
theatrical designs. Much were inaccurate but when more and more leading actresses wanted
to wear their biblical sandals off set, their fans were keen to be seen in the same trendy
sandals. The trend increased as hemlines rose and feet became sexy. Ferragamo introduced
the wedge heel and metal arch supports to allow heeled shoes to be made without toe caps.
The Peekaboo style (or toe cleavage) was all the rage with the introduction of colourful nail
varnish. By the Talkies, heeled sandals were synonymous with pin up girls. On screen heeled
sandals did for women what the cowboy hat did for men. At a glance the audience instantly
knew the Belle from the Jezebel. Wartime shortages saw designers experiment with nontraditional materials coming up with many innovations including cork wedges and bikini
sandals with plastic thongs. By the early fifties, the introduction of the stiletto meant no
fashion conscious female foot could go without a pair of back less sandals exposing more
foot flesh than had ever been seen. Thongs became the string bikini of the shoe world.

Post World War II

After the Second World War the new plastics industry help build up the Asian economies.
Plastic sandals were mass produced cheaply in Japan and became a stable post war
manufacturing industry especially. By the fifties new molding techniques for rubber and
plastic were introduced in Taiwan and elsewhere which allowed cheaper shoes to be turned
out in their millions. The introduction of the package tour to Mediterranean resorts in the 60s
created a demand among Europeans for plastic sand shoes. Now every suitcase contained flip
flops for the family.

Australia and New Zealand

In Australia thongs are not indigenous nor were they given as prison issue to the early
settlers. As footwear they were totally unsuited to the Bush or Goldfields, and unlikely to
have been attractive to a barefoot culture which prevailed for decades. In the 50s thongs
became popular shoes among Australians. In 1956, the Melbourne Olympics were the first to
be televised and the global village caught sight of the Japanese swimmers wearing getas
(traditional sandals). John Cowie was a Hong Kong based shoe manufacturer who took
advantage of the slip-on sandals and started to mass produce plastic thongs. In turn New
Zealander, Maurice Yock took the idea to New Zealand and patented rubber thongs calling
them Jandals (a combination of Japan and Sandal) in 1957. New Zealand sales rocketed and
soon after a demand for the casual sandals in Australia followed. Many people believed they
were wearing similar sandals to those seen at the Melbourne Olympics. The normal
construction of the plastic thong has the thong attachment riveted to the plastic base and this
is called a 'single plugger' thong. Due to a fault in the production a double rivet was made and
the thongs were christened "double pluggers."

Thong are left over footsoles. They are a part of their owners, More human and personal
Than shirts or underpants. Thongs know the feel of the ground: They are like peoples
footprints left lying around. Colin Thiele

Terrorism, Vegetarianism and Global Warming

Post September 11, the fear of terrorism and need for greater security of a traveling public has
necessitated removing shoes at security check points. No self respecting fashionista wanted to
divest complex shoes in public when casual slip-ons would suffice. Hence the fashion for
casual footwear such as thongs, flip flops, and Havaiana blossomed. Changes in climate and
popular preference for non-animal products have facilitated demand for new polymers (a bi
product of the Space Industry). The existence of new materials has made todays thongs more
robust than ever offer.

Market Size in Malaysia.

Malaysia: Average age of the population from 1950 to 2020* (median age in years)
This statistic shows the median age of the population in Malaysia from 1950 to 2015*.The
median age is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is,
half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that
summarizes the age distribution of a population. In 2010, the median age of the Malaysian
population was 26.3 years.

Population Shoeswear in Malaysia

Market Size
The global footwear market has seen diversified trends across different geographic regions
such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The global footwear
market is driven by factors such as growing demand for new design of footwear and growing
awareness about healthy and active life style. Increasing population, propensity of people to
spend more and emerging retail outlets have also attributed to the growing demand for
footwear across the global market. Also, there are certain restraints which are slowing down
the growth of the global footwear market. Increasing environmental concerns and rising
prices of raw material are the main factors which are acting as restraints for the global
footwear market. However, there is a wide opportunity in the footwear market such as
changing consumers' lifestyle and fashion trends, emerging role of e-commerce and
increasing new brands in the market that would enhance the demand of footwear market in
the coming years.

Some of the top players in the global footwear market are Nike, Adidas, Ascis, Puma, VF
Corp, Skechers and New Balance among others. At present, among the top players in the
global footwear market, Nike is the leading footwear company followed by Adidas and Ascis.
Nike and Adidas have the most number of retail outlets, strong distribution channel, and large
customer base globally. Asics and Puma are popular in the European market where as VF
Corp., Skechers, and New Balance are American companies with strong presence in the
American footwear market.

The footwear market has been divided into three segments: by types of footwear, by
consumer group, and by geography. Further, the by types of footwear include athletic
footwear and non-athletic footwear. The report also offers competitive analysis about subsegment of athletic footwear and non-athletic footwear. Athletic footwear segment offers
products of four categories which include insert shoes, sports shoes, hiking shoes and
backpacking boots. Sports shoes are expected to have the largest market in terms of volume
globally from 2014 to 2020. In terms of value Insert shoes is expected to have the largest
market globally during the forecast period. Non- Athletic footwear segment further includes
three categories which are casual footwear, fashion footwear and formal footwear. Casual
footwear is expected to have the largest market globally both in terms of value and volume
from 2014 to 2020.

In addition, the report provides strategic analysis of consumer group, which includes men,
women, and kids. The men's footwear market accounts for maximum market share followed
by women and kids. In terms of value, North America is expected to have the largest market
share for consumer group footwear market from 2014 to 2020. Globally, Asia Pacific
accounts for the maximum share for consumer group footwear market in terms of volume
during the forecast period.

Furthermore, the market is segmented on the basis of geographic region, which includes
North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and RoW. North America would account for the
maximum share in terms of value in the global footwear market. In Athletic footwear
segment in North America, sports shoes account for the largest share in terms of value
whereas insert shoes account for the largest market share in terms of volume from 2014 to
2020. Furthermore, men footwear market is expected to account for the maximum share
during the forecast period. However in Europe, insert shoe account for the largest share in
terms of value whereas backing packing accounts for the largest market in terms volume
during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific has similar market trend as compare to North America. Sports shoes is expected
maintain the leading position in terms of value where as in terms of volume insert shoe is
expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. RoW has the
similar market trend with North America and Asia Pacific in terms of value where as in terms
of volume hiking shoe is expected to have the largest market from 2014 to 2020.