World crude steel production in 2022: 4.2% decrease compared to 2021
by David Fleschen
World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 140.7 million tonnes (Mt) in December 2022, a 10.8% decrease compared to December 2021.
Crude steel production by region
Africa produced 1.1 Mt in December 2022, down 8.9% on December 2021. Asia and Oceania produced 104.9 Mt, down 9.2%. The EU (27) produced 9.2 Mt, down 16.7%. Europe, Other produced 3.4 Mt, down 19.2%. The Middle East produced 3.7 Mt, up 0.4%. North America produced 8.8 Mt, down 9.9%. Russia & other CIS + Ukraine produced 6.2 Mt, down 28.4%. South America produced 3.3 Mt, down 3.8%.
| Table 1. Crude steel production by region | ||||
| Dec 2022 (Mt) | % change Dec 22/21 | Jan-Dec 2022 (Mt) |
% change Jan-Dec 22/21 | |
| Africa | 1.1 | -8.9 | 14.9 | -6.6 |
| Asia and Oceania | 104.9 | -9.2 | 1,351.3 | -2.3 |
| EU (27) | 9.2 | -16.7 | 136.7 | -10.5 |
| Europe, Other | 3.4 | -19.2 | 44.7 | -12.2 |
| Middle East | 3.7 | 0.4 | 44.0 | 7.1 |
| North America | 8.8 | -9.9 | 111.4 | -5.5 |
| Russia & other CIS + Ukraine | 6.2 | -28.4 | 85.2 | -20.2 |
| South America | 3.3 | -3.8 | 43.3 | -5.0 |
| Total 64 countries | 140.7 | -10.8 | 1,831.5 | -4.3 |
The 64 countries included in this table accounted for approximately 98% of total world crude steel production in 2021.
- Africa: Egypt, Libya, South Africa
- Asia and Oceania: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Viet Nam
- Russia & other CIS + Ukraine: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
- European Union (27)
- Europe, Other: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, United Kingdom
- Middle East: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
- North America: Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, United States
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela
Top 10 steel-producing countries
China produced 77.9 Mt in December 2022, down 9.8% on December 2021. India produced 10.6 Mt, up 0.8%. Japan produced 6.9 Mt, down 13.1%. The United States produced 6.5 Mt, down 8.3%. Russia is estimated to have produced 5.5 Mt, down 11.3%. South Korea produced 5.2 Mt, down 11.6%. Germany produced 2.7 Mt, down 14.6%. Türkiye produced 2.7 Mt, down 20.0%. Brazil produced 2.5 Mt, down 5.2%. Iran produced 2.7 Mt, up 3.3%.
| Table 2. Top 10 steel-producing countries | |||||
| Dec 2022 (Mt) | % change Dec 22/21 | Jan-Dec 2022 (Mt) | % change Jan-Dec 22/21 | ||
| China | 77.9 | -9.8 | 1,013.0 | -2.1 | |
| India | 10.6 | 0.8 | 124.7 | 5.5 | |
| Japan | 6.9 | -13.1 | 89.2 | -7.4 | |
| United States | 6.5 | -8.3 | 80.7 | -5.9 | |
| Russia | 5.5 | e | -11.3 | 71.5 | -7.2 |
| South Korea | 5.2 | -11.6 | 65.9 | -6.5 | |
| Germany | 2.7 | -14.6 | 36.8 | -8.4 | |
| Türkiye | 2.7 | -20.0 | 35.1 | -12.9 | |
| Brazil | 2.5 | -5.2 | 34.0 | -5.8 | |
| Iran | 2.7 | 3.3 | 30.6 | 8.0 | |
e – estimated. Ranking of the top 10 producing countries is based on year-to-date aggregate
2022 global crude steel production totals
Total world crude steel production was 1,878.5 Mt in 2022, a 4.2% decrease compared to 2021.
Source and Graphic: Wold Steel Associaton