Secondary industry keeps national economies tied to production, but its share is moving unevenly across regions. China’s secondary sector contributed 28.4% of GDP in 2022, valued at 47.5 trillion yuan, while manufacturing labor and trade stakes vary sharply by country. This article pulls together sector shares, value added, employment, and emissions to show where manufacturing is expanding and where costs and pollution are concentrating.
Key Takeaways
- Secondary industry contributed 28.4% to China's GDP in 2022, valued at 47.5 trillion yuan
- US manufacturing value added was $2.9 trillion in 2023, 11% of GDP
- Germany manufacturing added €750 billion to GDP in 2022, 20.8% share
- Worldwide, manufacturing employment totaled 509 million people in 2022, with Asia holding 71%
- US manufacturing employed 12.9 million workers in 2023, 8.1% of total employment
- China manufacturing workforce was 120 million in 2021, down 5% from 2013 peak
- Global manufacturing CO2 emissions totaled 8 Gt in 2022, 24% of total anthropogenic emissions
- China's manufacturing emitted 5.2 Gt CO2 in 2023, 60% of national total
- EU manufacturing energy intensity fell 2.1% in 2022 to 0.18 toe per EUR1000 VA
- Global manufacturing value added grew by 2.6% in 2022, reaching approximately $16 trillion USD at constant 2015 prices
- China's manufacturing sector produced 31.2% of the world's total manufacturing output in 2021, valued at $4.96 trillion USD
- The United States manufacturing output was $2.33 trillion USD in 2022, representing 16.8% of global manufacturing value added
- Global manufacturing exports reached $6.5 trillion USD in 2022, 70% of total merchandise trade
- China exported $3.59 trillion USD in manufactured goods in 2023, 30% of world total
- Germany manufacturing exports €1.54 trillion in 2023, vehicles 20% share
Manufacturing anchors growth worldwide, led by China, and drives major jobs while emissions and resources intensify.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Value Added25 stats
01
Secondary industry contributed 28.4% to China's GDP in 2022, valued at 47.5 trillion yuan
02
US manufacturing value added was $2.9 trillion in 2023, 11% of GDP
03
Germany manufacturing added €750 billion to GDP in 2022, 20.8% share
04
India's secondary sector value added grew to 17.4% of GDP in FY2023 at INR 45 lakh crore
05
Japan manufacturing VA 21% of GDP in 2023, ¥120 trillion
06
South Korea manufacturing contributed 25.5% to GDP in 2022, $500 billion USD
07
Mexico manufacturing VA 18.9% of GDP in 2023, $250 billion USD
08
Italy manufacturing value added 15.8% GDP in 2022, €300 billion
09
France secondary industry 12.8% GDP in 2023, €320 billion
10
Brazil manufacturing VA 10.4% GDP in 2022, BRL 900 billion
11
Russia manufacturing 12.5% GDP in 2023, RUB 20 trillion
12
Indonesia secondary sector 20.7% GDP FY2023, IDR 2,000 trillion
13
Turkey manufacturing VA 17.2% GDP in 2023, TRY 2.5 trillion
14
Vietnam manufacturing 24% GDP in 2023, $110 billion USD
15
Thailand secondary industry 26% GDP in 2023, THB 3 trillion
16
Poland manufacturing 17.5% GDP in 2022, PLN 500 billion
17
Spain manufacturing VA 11.9% GDP 2023, €160 billion
18
Canada manufacturing 10% GDP in 2023, CAD 280 billion
19
Australia secondary sector 6.8% GDP FY2023, AUD 140 billion
20
South Africa manufacturing 12% GDP 2023, ZAR 500 billion
21
Malaysia manufacturing 23% GDP 2023, MYR 600 billion
22
Philippines secondary industry 30.1% GDP 2023, PHP 6.5 trillion
23
Czech Republic manufacturing 24% GDP 2022, CZK 1.5 trillion
24
Sweden manufacturing 16% GDP 2023, SEK 800 billion
25
Netherlands manufacturing 11% GDP 2022, €110 billion
Interpretation
Economic Value Added Interpretation
Across major economies, Economic Value Added from secondary industry remains a major GDP driver, with shares ranging from 11% in the US manufacturing sector to 28.4% in China in 2022, showing that manufacturing value creation still anchors national economic performance at very different scales.
02 · Category
Employment And Labor27 stats
01
Worldwide, manufacturing employment totaled 509 million people in 2022, with Asia holding 71%
02
US manufacturing employed 12.9 million workers in 2023, 8.1% of total employment
03
China manufacturing workforce was 120 million in 2021, down 5% from 2013 peak
04
Germany's manufacturing sector employed 7.8 million in 2022, 19% of workforce
05
India's manufacturing employment reached 62 million in 2022, growing 4% annually
06
Japan's manufacturing jobs totaled 10.4 million in 2023, 15% of total employment
07
Mexico manufacturing employed 4.2 million in 2022, 21% share with automotive 1.1 million
08
Italy's manufacturing workforce 3.9 million in 2022, mechanical sector 1.2 million
09
South Korea manufacturing employment 4.1 million in 2023, semiconductors 300,000 jobs
10
Brazil manufacturing jobs 10.5 million in 2022, 9.5% of total employment
11
Vietnam's manufacturing sector employed 12.5 million in 2023, 25% growth since 2015
12
Indonesia manufacturing employment 15.2 million in 2022, textiles 2.8 million
13
Turkey manufacturing workers 5.6 million in 2023, 17% of workforce
14
Poland manufacturing employment 2.3 million in 2022, metalworking 800,000
15
Thailand manufacturing jobs 5.8 million in 2023, electronics 1.5 million
16
France manufacturing employed 2.8 million in 2022, 12% share, aeronautics 200,000
17
UK manufacturing workforce 2.6 million in 2023, 7.5% of total jobs
18
Canada manufacturing employment 1.7 million in 2023, 9% of workforce
19
Spain manufacturing jobs 2.1 million in 2022, food processing 500,000
20
South Africa manufacturing employment 1.6 million in 2023, 9% decline since 2010
21
Australia manufacturing workers 850,000 in 2023, 6% of total employment
22
Russia manufacturing employment 10 million in 2022, 13% share
23
Malaysia manufacturing jobs 2.4 million in 2023, E&E sector 1 million
24
Philippines manufacturing employment 3.7 million in 2023, 9% of workforce
25
Czech Republic manufacturing workers 1.2 million in 2022, autos 400,000
26
Sweden manufacturing employment 600,000 in 2023, engineering 250,000
27
Netherlands manufacturing jobs 700,000 in 2022, 8% share
Interpretation
Employment And Labor Interpretation
Across major economies, manufacturing employment remains a major labor force though it is unevenly shifting, with Asia accounting for 71% of the 509 million manufacturing workers worldwide in 2022 while countries like China show a decline from its 2013 peak as its manufacturing workforce fell 5% by 2021 and the US still employed 12.9 million workers in 2023.
03 · Category
Environmental Impact19 stats
01
Global manufacturing CO2 emissions totaled 8 Gt in 2022, 24% of total anthropogenic emissions
02
China's manufacturing emitted 5.2 Gt CO2 in 2023, 60% of national total
03
EU manufacturing energy intensity fell 2.1% in 2022 to 0.18 toe per EUR1000 VA
04
US manufacturing water use 18 billion m3 in 2022, chemicals 40% share
05
India's industrial sector emitted 900 Mt CO2 in FY2023, 25% national total
06
Japan's manufacturing CO2 output 1.1 Gt in FY2023, down 5% YoY
07
South Korea steel industry emissions 200 Mt CO2 in 2023, 30% sector total
08
Germany's cement production emitted 25 Mt CO2 in 2022, per capita 300 kg
09
Brazil manufacturing waste generation 50 million tons in 2022, metals 20%
10
Mexico industrial SOx emissions 1.2 million tons 2023
11
Italy manufacturing energy consumption 150 Mtoe in 2022, 30% from renewables
12
Vietnam textile dyeing wastewater 2.5 billion m3 annually
13
Indonesia palm oil processing emissions 100 Mt CO2eq 2023
14
Turkey cement CO2 40 Mt in 2023, 7% national emissions
15
Poland coal-based power/manufacturing NOx 500 kt 2022
16
Thailand industrial PM2.5 emissions 150 kt 2023
17
South Africa mining/manufacturing water use 5 billion m3 2023
18
Canada aluminum smelting GHG 20 Mt CO2eq 2022
19
Australia steel industry emissions 8 Mt CO2 2023
Interpretation
Environmental Impact Interpretation
Manufacturing’s environmental footprint remains highly concentrated and difficult to curb as global CO2 from the sector reached 8 Gt in 2022, while China alone accounted for 5.2 Gt in 2023 and the US used 18 billion m3 of water in 2022, showing that efficiency gains do not automatically offset scale-related impacts.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production And Output30 stats
01
Global manufacturing value added grew by 2.6% in 2022, reaching approximately $16 trillion USD at constant 2015 prices
02
China's manufacturing sector produced 31.2% of the world's total manufacturing output in 2021, valued at $4.96 trillion USD
03
The United States manufacturing output was $2.33 trillion USD in 2022, representing 16.8% of global manufacturing value added
04
Germany's manufacturing production index stood at 102.5 in December 2023 (2015=100), with chemicals and pharmaceuticals subsector at 110.2
05
Japan's manufacturing output declined by 1.2% year-on-year in 2023, totaling 42.5 trillion JPY in machinery sector alone
06
India's manufacturing sector output grew 7.5% in FY2023, reaching INR 10.5 lakh crore in textiles and apparel
07
South Korea's manufacturing production index was 108.4 in 2022 (2020=100), led by semiconductors at 115.6
08
Mexico's manufacturing output increased by 3.8% in 2022, with automotive sector contributing 25% at $120 billion USD
09
Italy's manufacturing value added was €240 billion in 2022, with mechanical engineering at €50 billion
10
France's industrial production rose 1.1% in 2023, manufacturing at 99.8 index (2015=100), aerospace subsector +4.2%
11
Brazil's manufacturing output fell 2.1% in 2022, food processing stable at BRL 800 billion
12
Russia's manufacturing production grew 3.4% in 2023 despite sanctions, machinery up 5.2%
13
Indonesia's manufacturing sector expanded 4.1% in 2023, textiles output 12 million tons
14
Turkey's manufacturing capacity utilization rate was 76.5% in Jan 2024, automotive at 80.2%
15
Vietnam's manufacturing output surged 8.9% in 2023, electronics at $100 billion USD
16
Thailand's manufacturing production index 105.3 in 2023 (2010=100), HDD at +15.2%
17
Poland's manufacturing output +2.5% in 2023, metal products 110 index (2015=100)
18
Spain's manufacturing PMI averaged 52.1 in 2023, consumer goods subsector 53.4
19
Canada manufacturing shipments $700 billion CAD in 2022, chemicals 18% share
20
Australia's manufacturing turnover $110 billion AUD in FY2023, food at 35%
21
Saudi Arabia's manufacturing value added $50 billion USD in 2022, petrochemicals 60%
22
UAE manufacturing output $25 billion USD in 2023, aluminum 40% share
23
South Africa's manufacturing production +0.9% in 2023, transport equipment +3.1%
24
Argentina's manufacturing index 95.2 in 2023 (2016=100), food stable
25
Egypt's manufacturing growth 5.8% in FY2023, chemicals +12%
26
Malaysia's manufacturing sales RM1.5 trillion in 2023, E&E 40% share
27
Philippines manufacturing output index 110.5 in Dec 2023 (2018=100)
28
Czech Republic manufacturing production +1.2% in 2023, electrical equipment +6.5%
29
Sweden's manufacturing output 102.8 index 2023 (2015=100), vehicles +2.1%
30
Netherlands manufacturing value added €85 billion in 2022, chemicals leader
Interpretation
Production And Output Interpretation
Under Production and Output, global manufacturing is still expanding with value added up 2.6% in 2022 to about $16 trillion at 2015 prices, even as growth is uneven across countries such as India rising 7.5% in FY2023 to INR 10.5 lakh crore while Japan’s machinery output fell 1.2% year on year in 2023.
05 · Category
Trade And Exports21 stats
01
Global manufacturing exports reached $6.5 trillion USD in 2022, 70% of total merchandise trade
02
China exported $3.59 trillion USD in manufactured goods in 2023, 30% of world total
03
Germany manufacturing exports €1.54 trillion in 2023, vehicles 20% share
04
US goods exports manufacturing $1.4 trillion in 2023, machinery $250 billion
05
Mexico exported $475 billion USD manufactured products in 2023, autos $120 billion
06
Japan manufacturing exports ¥100 trillion in FY2023, electronics 25%
07
South Korea exports $632 billion USD in 2023, semiconductors $120 billion
08
Italy manufactured exports €620 billion in 2023, machinery €150 billion
09
France exports €550 billion manufacturing in 2023, pharma €60 billion
10
India manufacturing exports $450 billion USD FY2024, engineering $100 billion
11
Vietnam exports $355 billion USD in 2023, electronics $115 billion
12
Netherlands manufacturing re-exports €300 billion in 2023, chemicals 30%
13
Ireland pharma/chem exports €100 billion in 2023, 50% of total exports
14
Poland manufacturing exports €250 billion in 2023, machinery €70 billion
15
Thailand auto parts/vehicles exports $50 billion USD 2023
16
Malaysia electronics exports $90 billion USD in 2023, 40% total exports
17
Czech Republic vehicle exports €50 billion in 2023, 60% manufacturing exports
18
Sweden telecom/manufacturing exports SEK 500 billion 2023
19
Austria machinery exports €40 billion in 2023
20
Belgium chemicals exports €80 billion 2023
21
Canada machinery exports CAD 80 billion 2023
Interpretation
Trade And Exports Interpretation
In the Trade And Exports category, manufacturing exports totaled $6.5 trillion in 2022 and kept dominating merchandise trade at 70 percent, with leading exporters like China at $3.59 trillion in 2023 accounting for 30 percent of the world total.
report visual · Key figures
Secondary industry share of GDP across countries
Manufacturing/secondary industries account for widely varying shares of GDP across countries, ranging from single digits to over 30%.
6.8%
Australia secondary sector 6.8% GDP FY2023, AUD 140 billion
12%
South Africa manufacturing 12% GDP 2023, ZAR 500 billion
12.8%
France secondary industry 12.8% GDP in 2023, €320 billion
15.8%
Italy manufacturing value added 15.8% GDP in 2022, €300 billion
20.8%
Germany manufacturing added €750 billion to GDP in 2022, 20.8% share
21%
Japan manufacturing VA 21% of GDP in 2023, ¥120 trillion
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lukas Bauer. (2026, February 13). Secondary Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/secondary-industry-statistics
MLA
Lukas Bauer. "Secondary Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/secondary-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lukas Bauer. 2026. "Secondary Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/secondary-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
72 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level