From the towering skyscrapers of Dubai to the sprawling infrastructure projects of India, the relentless pulse of global construction is driven by a single foundational force: a cement industry that produced a staggering 4.1 billion metric tons in 2022, with China alone accounting for nearly half of that colossal output.
Key Takeaways
- Global cement production in 2022 totaled 4.1 billion metric tons, with China accounting for 2.01 billion metric tons or 49% of the total
- India's cement production capacity reached 151 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by March 2022, producing 281 million tonnes annually
- The United States produced 92 million metric tons of cement in 2022, down 2% from 2021 due to supply chain issues
- World cement consumption in 2022 was 4.2 billion metric tons, up 2.5% from 2021
- China consumed 2.4 billion tonnes of cement in 2022, 57% of global total
- India's cement consumption grew 8% to 290 million tonnes in FY2022-23
- Global cement industry emitted 2.3 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022, 8% of anthropogenic total
- Cement production accounts for 5-7% of global CO2 emissions, with 90% from clinker process
- China's cement sector emitted 1.5 billion tonnes CO2 in 2022, 60% of global cement emissions
- Global cement industry employed 5.9 million people directly in 2022
- China cement sector provided 3.2 million direct jobs in 2022
- India cement industry employed 1.2 million people including quarrying in 2022
- Global cement industry generated $400 billion revenue in 2023, CAGR 4.5% projected to 2030
- China cement market size was $250 billion in 2022, 70% of global revenue
- India cement industry revenue hit $20 billion in FY2022-23, EBITDA margin 18%
The global cement industry produced 4.1 billion tons in 2022, led by China and driven by emerging markets.
Consumption Statistics
- World cement consumption in 2022 was 4.2 billion metric tons, up 2.5% from 2021
- China consumed 2.4 billion tonnes of cement in 2022, 57% of global total
- India's cement consumption grew 8% to 290 million tonnes in FY2022-23
- US cement consumption in 2022 was 105 million metric tons, driven by non-residential construction
- EU cement consumption dropped 5% to 170 million tonnes in 2022 due to economic slowdown
- Vietnam's domestic cement consumption was 82 million tonnes in 2022, up 5%
- Brazil cement demand reached 62 million tonnes in 2022, supported by housing sector
- Turkey consumed 55 million tonnes of cement in 2022, imports at 10 Mt
- Indonesia cement consumption was 70 million tonnes in 2022, per capita 0.25 tonnes
- Egypt's cement consumption hit 60 million tonnes in 2022, driven by mega-projects
- Saudi Arabia consumed 35 million tonnes of cement in 2022, Vision 2030 boosting demand
- Russia cement consumption was 52 million tonnes in 2022, down 8% YoY
- Mexico consumed 52 million tonnes of cement in 2022, imports 16 Mt
- Thailand cement demand was 40 million tonnes in 2022, exports offsetting local dip
- South Africa consumed 14 million tonnes of cement in 2022, stable despite logistics issues
- Iran's cement consumption reached 55 million tonnes in 2022, exports 10 Mt
- Pakistan cement consumption was 40 million tonnes in 2022, up 10% on infrastructure
- UAE cement consumption was 25 million tonnes in 2022, 70% imported
- Peru consumed 12 million tonnes of cement in 2022, growth 7% YoY
- Algeria cement demand was 22 million tonnes in 2022, local production covering 90%
- Global per capita cement consumption averaged 0.53 tonnes in 2022
- China's per capita cement use was 1.4 tonnes in 2022, down from peak 1.6 in 2014
- India per capita cement consumption rose to 0.2 tonnes in FY2022-23 from 0.18 prior year
- US per capita cement consumption was 0.31 tonnes in 2022
- EU average per capita cement use fell to 0.37 tonnes in 2022
- Vietnam per capita consumption reached 0.82 tonnes in 2022
- Brazil per capita cement consumption was 0.29 tonnes in 2022
- Turkey per capita use was 0.65 tonnes in 2022
- Indonesia per capita cement consumption was 0.25 tonnes in 2022
Consumption Statistics Interpretation
The world's thirst for concrete is wildly uneven, with China single-handedly mixing over half the global pot while others, like the EU, find their cement dreams drying up in an economic drought.
Employment Statistics
- Global cement industry employed 5.9 million people directly in 2022
- China cement sector provided 3.2 million direct jobs in 2022
- India cement industry employed 1.2 million people including quarrying in 2022
- US cement manufacturing workforce was 12,000 in 2022, PCA data
- EU cement sector employed 115,000 directly in 2022 across 27 countries
- Vietnam cement industry supported 200,000 jobs in production and supply chain 2022
- Brazil cement plants employed 25,000 workers in 2022, SNIC data
- Turkey cement sector had 50,000 direct employees in 2022, export-oriented
- Indonesia cement industry employed 40,000 in 2022, despite capacity glut
- Egypt cement workforce numbered 30,000 in 2022, largest in Africa
- Saudi Arabia cement companies employed 15,000 locals in 2022, Saudization push
- Russia cement production employed 35,000 in 2022, Eurocement group dominant
- Mexico cement sector jobs totaled 20,000 in manufacturing 2022
- Thailand cement industry employed 18,000 in 2022, Siam Cement lead
- South Africa cement workforce was 8,000 direct in 2022
- Iran cement employed 80,000 across 70 plants in 2022
- Pakistan cement sector provided 150,000 jobs in 2022, Lucky Cement major
- UAE cement operations employed 10,000 expatriates mainly in 2022
- Peru cement industry jobs 12,000 in 2022, Unacem leader
- Algeria cement employed 25,000 in state-owned plants 2022
- Global cement market revenue reached $350 billion in 2022
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While China and India lay the foundation for global employment with millions of jobs, the stark contrast in workforce size against market revenue reveals an industry that is both a massive social anchor and a monument to increasing automation and efficiency.
Environmental Statistics
- Global cement industry emitted 2.3 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022, 8% of anthropogenic total
- Cement production accounts for 5-7% of global CO2 emissions, with 90% from clinker process
- China's cement sector emitted 1.5 billion tonnes CO2 in 2022, 60% of global cement emissions
- EU cement industry reduced CO2 emissions by 20% since 1990 to 2022 per tonne of cement
- Global cement kiln dust emissions estimated at 100 million tonnes annually
- Water usage in cement production averages 100-200 liters per tonne globally
- India's cement plants achieved 25% thermal substitution rate with alternative fuels in 2022
- US cement industry recycled 1.2 million tonnes of waste-derived fuels in 2022
- Limestone quarrying for cement uses 1.5 tonnes per tonne of cement produced globally
- Cement industry consumes 10-15% of world's industrial energy, mostly coal and petcoke
- Global alternative raw material usage in cement reached 8% in 2022, up from 5% in 2015
- EU cement plants captured 1 million tonnes of CO2 via CCS pilots in 2022
- Vietnam cement sector NOx emissions controlled to 500 mg/Nm3 average in 2022
- Brazil cement industry achieved 30% TSR (thermal substitution rate) in 2022
- Turkey cement plants use 25% alternative fuels, reducing fossil CO2 by 15%
- Indonesia cement kiln co-processing of waste reached 1 million tonnes in 2022
- Global cement decarbonization requires $200 billion investment by 2030 for net-zero
- Cement production PM2.5 emissions contribute 2% to global industrial particulates
- India's cement CO2 intensity fell to 0.65 tCO2/t cement in 2022 from 0.75 in 2010
- US cement clinker factor averaged 75% in 2022, down from 85% in 2000
Environmental Statistics Interpretation
While the cement industry is slowly learning to clean up its act, the sheer scale of its colossal carbon footprint means our progress is still just a few bricks in the wall of what's needed to build a sustainable future.
Financial Statistics
- Global cement industry generated $400 billion revenue in 2023, CAGR 4.5% projected to 2030
- China cement market size was $250 billion in 2022, 70% of global revenue
- India cement industry revenue hit $20 billion in FY2022-23, EBITDA margin 18%
- US cement market valued at $14 billion in 2022, imports $1.5B
- EU cement sales revenue fell 15% to €25 billion in 2022 on energy costs
- Vietnam cement exports generated $1.2 billion revenue in 2022
- Brazil cement market revenue $6 billion in 2022, Votorantim dominant
- Turkey cement exports earned $1.5 billion in 2022, 20 Mt shipped
- Indonesia cement industry revenue $4 billion in 2022, despite oversupply
- Egypt cement exports revenue $800 million in 2022, 10 Mt volume
- Saudi Arabia cement market $3 billion in 2022, Yamama Cement top earner
- Russia cement revenue $5 billion in 2022, down 10% on sanctions
- Mexico cement imports cost $1.8 billion in 2022, Cemex key player
- Thailand cement revenue $2.5 billion in 2022, SCC Group 60% share
- South Africa cement market $1 billion in 2022, PPC Ltd leading
- Iran cement exports revenue $1 billion in 2022, 15 Mt shipped
- Pakistan cement exports $300 million in FY2022-23, 8 Mt volume
- UAE cement imports valued at $1.5 billion in 2022
- Peru cement market revenue $800 million in 2022, 12 Mt consumed
- Algeria cement revenue $1.2 billion in 2022, exports to Africa key
- Global cement trade volume was 180 million tonnes in 2022, 4% of production
- LafargeHolcim (Holcim) reported €27 billion revenue in 2022, cement 70%
- Cemex 2022 revenue $14.8 billion, EBITDA $3.6 billion
- UltraTech Cement (India) FY23 revenue INR 1.04 lakh crore (~$12.5B)
Financial Statistics Interpretation
While China plays monarch of this $400 billion concrete jungle, the rest of the global cement industry is a mosaic of resilient niche markets, energy-cost casualties, and export hustles, all setting the foundation for a surprisingly steady 4.5% growth.
Production Statistics
- Global cement production in 2022 totaled 4.1 billion metric tons, with China accounting for 2.01 billion metric tons or 49% of the total
- India's cement production capacity reached 151 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by March 2022, producing 281 million tonnes annually
- The United States produced 92 million metric tons of cement in 2022, down 2% from 2021 due to supply chain issues
- China's cement output in 2023 was approximately 2.02 billion tonnes, representing over 50% of global production
- EU cement production in 2022 was 165.4 million tonnes, a 6.2% decline from 2021 amid energy crisis
- Vietnam's cement production capacity stood at 114 million tonnes in 2022, with exports of 32 million tonnes
- Brazil produced 58 million tonnes of cement in 2022, supported by infrastructure investments
- Turkey's cement production reached 70 million tonnes in 2022, boosted by exports of 20 million tonnes
- Indonesia's cement production was 66 million tonnes in 2022, with capacity utilization at 70%
- Egypt produced 55 million tonnes of cement in 2022, leading Africa with 40% market share
- Saudi Arabia's cement production capacity is 85 million tonnes annually as of 2023
- Russia's cement output in 2022 was 59.8 million tonnes, down 4% due to geopolitical tensions
- Mexico produced 36 million tonnes of cement in 2022, with imports covering 20% of demand
- Thailand's cement production reached 32 million tonnes in 2022, exports at 15 million tonnes
- South Africa's cement production was 13.5 million tonnes in 2022, capacity at 20 MTPA
- Iran's cement production hit 65 million tonnes in 2022, world's 4th largest producer
- Pakistan produced 45 million tonnes of cement in 2022, with exports rising 20%
- UAE cement production was 12 million tonnes in 2022, reliant on imports for growth
- Peru's cement output reached 10.5 million tonnes in 2022, up 5% YoY
- Algeria produced 20 million tonnes of cement in 2022, capacity expansion to 25 MTPA planned
- Global clinker production in 2022 was 3.4 billion tonnes, 83% of cement output
- China's clinker capacity exceeded 1.8 billion tonnes in 2023, utilization at 65%
- India's grinding capacity added 10 MTPA in FY2022-23, total 550 MTPA
- US Portland cement production plants numbered 96 in 2022, output 92 Mt
- Europe had 240 integrated cement plants in 2022 producing 165 Mt
- Vietnam operated 80 cement plants with 114 MTPA capacity in 2022
- Brazil's 25 cement plants produced 58 Mt in 2022
- Turkey exported cement equivalent to 25% of its 70 Mt production in 2022
- Indonesia's cement capacity utilization fell to 70% in 2022 from 85% pre-pandemic
- Global cement kiln capacity was 5.5 billion tonnes in 2022
Production Statistics Interpretation
While China single-handedly cements its status as the planet's overwhelming construction powerhouse, producing over half the world's concrete, the rest of the global industry tells a patchwork story of regional ambitions, export drives, and vulnerability to energy shocks and geopolitical tremors.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PUBSpubs.usgs.govVisit source
- Reference 2IBEFibef.orgVisit source
- Reference 3GLOBALCEMENTglobalcement.comVisit source
- Reference 4CEMBUREAUcembureau.euVisit source
- Reference 5WBCSDwbcsd.orgVisit source
- Reference 6STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 7PUBLICATIONSpublications.iea.orgVisit source
- Reference 8EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 9IEAiea.orgVisit source
- Reference 10CEMENTcement.orgVisit source
- Reference 11GCCASSOCIATIONgccassociation.orgVisit source
- Reference 12MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 13NATUREnature.comVisit source
- Reference 14GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 15HOLCIMholcim.comVisit source
- Reference 16CEMEXcemex.comVisit source
- Reference 17ULTRATECHCEMENTultratechcement.comVisit source