Facts & Figures - National Candle Association (2024)

FAQs

What are the facts about the candle industry? ›

When you light a candle, the heat of the flame melts the wax surrounding the wick. The melted wax vaporizes through a combustion reaction, where hydrocarbons interact with oxygen to break into its two components: hydrogen and carbon. This releases light, heat, carbon dioxide and water vapor, and fuels the flame.

Manufacturer surveys show that more than 95% of all candles are purchased by women. Candle industry research indicates that the most important factors affecting candle sales are scent, color, cost and shape.

The heat of the flame vaporizes the liquid wax (turns it into a hot gas), and starts to break down the hydrocarbons into molecules of hydrogen and carbon. These vaporized molecules are drawn up into the flame, where they react with oxygen from the air to create heat, light, water vapor (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Candle Fire Statistics

U.S. fire departments responded to an annual estimated average 5,910 home structure fires started by candles. These fires cause an annual average of 74 civilian deaths and 558 civilian injuries, as well as $257 million in property damage.

The "Candle Problem" is a test of creative problem solving developed by psychologist Karl Duncker in 1945. The test challenges "functional fixedness", a cognitive bias that makes it difficult to use familiar objects in abnormal ways.

The physical aspect: the candle heats the air and expands it. This cancels the depletion of the oxygen temporarily and the water level stays down. When the oxygen is depleted, the candle goes out and the air cools. The volume of the air decreases and the water rises.

Early Origins

Candles have been used as a source of light and to illuminate celebrations for more than 5,000 years, yet little is known about their origin. The earliest use of candles is often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians, who made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat.

Observations of the burning candle include the properties of the flame, the wick, and the candle (color, size, smoke, sound, brightness, temperature).

What is special about candles? ›

Burning candles can greatly help you to fight stress and anxiety. Candles have calming properties. This is twofold, as the flickering light makes you feel calmer as the ambiance is more tranquil, and the particular scent the candle emits also helps to relax you.

As of 2022, the leading scent used for scented candles worldwide was vanilla, with a market share of about 11 percent. Citrus/lemon scent was the second most popular, with a share of approximately ten percent.

Lavender. Lavender is commonly used to relax people to sleep, but please, no creepy jokes. This is the one to break out on the third or fourth date when you and the lady are chilling at home. If you're a sensitive thug, light a lavender candle and watch the magic happen.

Scented candles can have a positive effect on moods

That's a whole lot of goodness that doesn't need to be exclusive to women. In fact a positive energy boost and a good night's sleep is something every man needs after a long day at work or university.

In terms of customer demographics by age, Danziger's research indicates that the biggest buyers of candles are under 25 or over 55.

Market Synopsis:

The Global Candle Market is valued at USD 6.37 Billion in the year 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 10.30 Billion by the year 2030. The Global Market is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.20% over the forecast period 2023-2030.

A candle business holds the potential to be highly profitable, given the increasing popularity of scented and decorative candles. The profit margin on a candle can be notably high, especially for luxury or artisanal candle lines. With relatively low start-up costs, a candle business can be an attractive venture.

Primary Audience: Probably homeowners, aged 25–45, interested in home decor, sustainability, and wellness.

Growth in demand for decor products and the trend of gifting, especially around the region's festivals such as Christmas and Easter, is bolstering the North America candle market growth.