Abstract
This study analyzes efficiency disparities in the textile sector across Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies, emphasizing wage gaps and labor conditions. Such inequalities constrain economic development and limit sustainable growth. The research aims to evaluate the relationship between textile sector efficiency and wage levels, identifying factors that explain gaps between developed and developing economies. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) was applied through two models: one using the number of employees and the other wages and salaries as primary inputs. Results showed that Hong Kong and Singapore achieved high efficiency in both models, while economies such as Vietnam and Mexico improved their performance when wage variables were considered. The findings suggest that better wage conditions are positively correlated with higher efficiency, underscoring the importance of public policies that balance competitiveness and labor equity within the textile sector. This work contributes evidence for comparative assessments of productive performance and wage equity in international manufacturing contexts and recommends further integration of labor, social, and technological variables. Ultimately, the study provides insights for policymakers aiming to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth in APEC member states, stressing the value of fair labor standards for economic development.