GITNUXREPORT 2025

Steel Industry Statistics

Global steel industry advances toward decarbonization, digitalization, and sustainable growth.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The average energy consumption in steel production is about 20-25 GJ per tonne

Statistic 2

The global steel recycling rate is approximately 70%

Statistic 3

The steel industry accounts for roughly 7-9% of global CO2 emissions

Statistic 4

The average lifespan of a steel product used in construction is around 50 years

Statistic 5

The steel industry's water consumption is estimated at 80-150 m3 per tonne of steel produced

Statistic 6

The steel sector is moving towards decarbonization with a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030

Statistic 7

The adoption rate of green hydrogen in steel production is expected to reach 15% by 2030

Statistic 8

The average carbon footprint per tonne of steel produced has decreased from 3.3 tonnes in 2010 to about 1.9 tonnes in 2022

Statistic 9

The use of recycled steel in new production can save up to 74% of energy compared to raw iron ore mining

Statistic 10

The global steel industry's carbon-neutral target is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050

Statistic 11

The steel industry has reduced water usage intensity by 20% from 2010 to 2022 through recycling and process improvements

Statistic 12

The global steel import/export ratio is approximately 55:45

Statistic 13

The average price of steel scrap in 2023 ranged from USD 300-450 per tonne depending on the grade

Statistic 14

The average annual steel price volatility is around 8-12%, making it a relatively volatile sector

Statistic 15

Steel prices tend to be highly seasonal, with peaks typically in February and September

Statistic 16

China’s steel exports decreased by around 8% in 2022 due to increased domestic demand and tariffs

Statistic 17

The average cost of new steel plant installation ranges from USD 500 million to 2 billion, depending on capacity and technology

Statistic 18

Steel scrap prices tend to be inversely related to global economic growth, with savings during recession periods

Statistic 19

The global steel production reached approximately 1.9 billion tonnes in 2022

Statistic 20

China produced about 1.02 billion tonnes of crude steel in 2022

Statistic 21

The steel industry contributes roughly 2% to the global GDP

Statistic 22

The global demand for steel is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 3.2% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 23

The global steel market size was valued at approximately USD 1.4 trillion in 2021

Statistic 24

India is expected to surpass Japan as the second-largest steel producer by 2030

Statistic 25

The use of electric arc furnaces (EAF) in steel production increased by 15% in 2022

Statistic 26

The global steel demand in the automotive sector is projected to grow at 4% CAGR through 2030

Statistic 27

The global steel industry has employed approximately 3.5 million workers worldwide

Statistic 28

Steel production accounts for over 75% of all crude steel worldwide

Statistic 29

China leads the world in steel capacity, holding over 50% of global capacity

Statistic 30

The global steel industry’s capital expenditure was approximately USD 80 billion in 2022

Statistic 31

The world’s largest steel manufacturer is China Baowu Steel Group Corporation, with a production of over 120 million tonnes in 2022

Statistic 32

The global demand for steel in construction accounted for approximately 50% of total steel consumption in 2022

Statistic 33

The U.S. steel industry produced approximately 72 million tonnes in 2022

Statistic 34

The primary steel-producing countries besides China include India, Japan, the USA, and Russia

Statistic 35

Steel's strength-to-weight ratio makes it essential for high-rise construction, with buildings over 100 stories often using steel frameworks

Statistic 36

The average lead time for a new steel plant construction is approximately 3.5 years

Statistic 37

The global use of steel in packaging, particularly cans, accounts for about 25% of total steel demand

Statistic 38

The global market for steel-based composites is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2028

Statistic 39

The average lifespan of a steel bridge is approximately 75 years, with proper maintenance

Statistic 40

Steel production is expected to increase in Africa by about 5.2% annually through 2030, driven by infrastructure development

Statistic 41

The global demand for specialty steel is growing at about 3.4% annually, driven by automotive and aerospace industries

Statistic 42

The global use of ultra-high-performance steel (UHSS) is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% through 2030, mainly in automotive and construction

Statistic 43

Asia-Pacific is the largest consumer of steel, accounting for over 70% of global steel consumption

Statistic 44

The top five steel-consuming countries are China, India, the United States, Japan, and South Korea

Statistic 45

Steel exports from Turkey increased by approximately 12% in 2022, marking it as a key player in regional trade

Statistic 46

The use of digital technologies in the steel industry increased productivity by approximately 12% in 2022

Statistic 47

The global steel industry is moving towards Industry 4.0 with investments increasing by 20% in 2022

Statistic 48

The use of automation in steel plants can increase productivity by up to 25%

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Key Highlights

  • The global steel production reached approximately 1.9 billion tonnes in 2022
  • China produced about 1.02 billion tonnes of crude steel in 2022
  • The steel industry contributes roughly 2% to the global GDP
  • The average energy consumption in steel production is about 20-25 GJ per tonne
  • The global steel recycling rate is approximately 70%
  • The steel industry accounts for roughly 7-9% of global CO2 emissions
  • The global demand for steel is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 3.2% from 2022 to 2030
  • Asia-Pacific is the largest consumer of steel, accounting for over 70% of global steel consumption
  • The global steel market size was valued at approximately USD 1.4 trillion in 2021
  • India is expected to surpass Japan as the second-largest steel producer by 2030
  • The use of electric arc furnaces (EAF) in steel production increased by 15% in 2022
  • The global steel import/export ratio is approximately 55:45
  • The average lifespan of a steel product used in construction is around 50 years

From towering skyscrapers to essential infrastructure, the global steel industry, producing nearly 1.9 billion tonnes in 2022, continues to underpin economic growth while grappling with environmental challenges and technological innovations shaping its future.

Environmental Impact & Sustainability

  • The average energy consumption in steel production is about 20-25 GJ per tonne
  • The global steel recycling rate is approximately 70%
  • The steel industry accounts for roughly 7-9% of global CO2 emissions
  • The average lifespan of a steel product used in construction is around 50 years
  • The steel industry's water consumption is estimated at 80-150 m3 per tonne of steel produced
  • The steel sector is moving towards decarbonization with a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030
  • The adoption rate of green hydrogen in steel production is expected to reach 15% by 2030
  • The average carbon footprint per tonne of steel produced has decreased from 3.3 tonnes in 2010 to about 1.9 tonnes in 2022
  • The use of recycled steel in new production can save up to 74% of energy compared to raw iron ore mining
  • The global steel industry's carbon-neutral target is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050
  • The steel industry has reduced water usage intensity by 20% from 2010 to 2022 through recycling and process improvements

Environmental Impact & Sustainability Interpretation

While the steel industry ambitiously aims for net-zero emissions by 2050 and demonstrates notable progress in recycling and water savings, its continued reliance on high energy consumption and fossil fuels underscores that achieving true sustainability remains a steel-ing challenge requiring unwavering commitment and innovation.

Pricing & Economic Factors

  • The global steel import/export ratio is approximately 55:45
  • The average price of steel scrap in 2023 ranged from USD 300-450 per tonne depending on the grade
  • The average annual steel price volatility is around 8-12%, making it a relatively volatile sector
  • Steel prices tend to be highly seasonal, with peaks typically in February and September
  • China’s steel exports decreased by around 8% in 2022 due to increased domestic demand and tariffs
  • The average cost of new steel plant installation ranges from USD 500 million to 2 billion, depending on capacity and technology
  • Steel scrap prices tend to be inversely related to global economic growth, with savings during recession periods

Pricing & Economic Factors Interpretation

As a fluctuating barometer of global demand and politics, the steel industry’s delicate dance between export and import ratios, volatile pricing, seasonal peaks, and strategic investments underscores its pivotal role in shaping economic resilience amidst geopolitical and cyclical uncertainties.

Production & Market Size

  • The global steel production reached approximately 1.9 billion tonnes in 2022
  • China produced about 1.02 billion tonnes of crude steel in 2022
  • The steel industry contributes roughly 2% to the global GDP
  • The global demand for steel is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 3.2% from 2022 to 2030
  • The global steel market size was valued at approximately USD 1.4 trillion in 2021
  • India is expected to surpass Japan as the second-largest steel producer by 2030
  • The use of electric arc furnaces (EAF) in steel production increased by 15% in 2022
  • The global steel demand in the automotive sector is projected to grow at 4% CAGR through 2030
  • The global steel industry has employed approximately 3.5 million workers worldwide
  • Steel production accounts for over 75% of all crude steel worldwide
  • China leads the world in steel capacity, holding over 50% of global capacity
  • The global steel industry’s capital expenditure was approximately USD 80 billion in 2022
  • The world’s largest steel manufacturer is China Baowu Steel Group Corporation, with a production of over 120 million tonnes in 2022
  • The global demand for steel in construction accounted for approximately 50% of total steel consumption in 2022
  • The U.S. steel industry produced approximately 72 million tonnes in 2022
  • The primary steel-producing countries besides China include India, Japan, the USA, and Russia
  • Steel's strength-to-weight ratio makes it essential for high-rise construction, with buildings over 100 stories often using steel frameworks
  • The average lead time for a new steel plant construction is approximately 3.5 years
  • The global use of steel in packaging, particularly cans, accounts for about 25% of total steel demand
  • The global market for steel-based composites is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2028
  • The average lifespan of a steel bridge is approximately 75 years, with proper maintenance
  • Steel production is expected to increase in Africa by about 5.2% annually through 2030, driven by infrastructure development
  • The global demand for specialty steel is growing at about 3.4% annually, driven by automotive and aerospace industries
  • The global use of ultra-high-performance steel (UHSS) is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% through 2030, mainly in automotive and construction

Production & Market Size Interpretation

As steel's global footprint solidifies—powering everything from skyscrapers and cars to cans—its industry, globe’s backbone worth $1.4 trillion, is steadily evolving with China’s commanding 50% capacity, India’s rising prowess, and a 15% lift in electric arc furnace adoption, reminding us that in steel’s world, strength and strategic moves carve out a future that’s both hefty and resilient.

Regional & Consumer Trends

  • Asia-Pacific is the largest consumer of steel, accounting for over 70% of global steel consumption
  • The top five steel-consuming countries are China, India, the United States, Japan, and South Korea
  • Steel exports from Turkey increased by approximately 12% in 2022, marking it as a key player in regional trade

Regional & Consumer Trends Interpretation

With Asia-Pacific gulping down over 70% of the world's steel—led by heavyweights like China and India—Turkey's 12% export surge in 2022 signals a growing shift in regional trade dynamics, reminding us that in the steel game, the giants may be Asia, but Turkey's got its own iron-clad ambitions.

Technological Innovations & Processes

  • The use of digital technologies in the steel industry increased productivity by approximately 12% in 2022
  • The global steel industry is moving towards Industry 4.0 with investments increasing by 20% in 2022
  • The use of automation in steel plants can increase productivity by up to 25%

Technological Innovations & Processes Interpretation

As the steel industry forges ahead into Industry 4.0, a 12% productivity boost from digital tech and a 25% surge via automation underscore that embracing smart innovation isn't just metal talk—it's steel-tough strategy for competitive edge.

Sources & References