List of Top 10 Largest Steel-Producing Countries

The Top 10 Largest Steel-Producing countries are Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Germany, Brazil, and Iran. These countries account for over 70% of global steel production. China is by far the largest steel producer in the world, accounting for over half of global production. India and Japan are the second and third largest producers, respectively.

The United States, Russia, and South Korea are also major producers of steel. The steel industry is also a major contributor to GDP in many countries. In India, for example, the steel industry contributes over 2% to the GDP.

In this article, we will look into the list of the top 10 largest steel-producing countries along with their contribution to the global output.

About the Top 10 Largest Steel-Producing Countries

The steel industry is a major employer in many countries. In China, for example, the steel industry employs over 10 million people. However, the steel industry is facing several challenges, including rising energy costs and environmental regulations. The steel industry is also expected to grow in the coming years, driven by demand from developing countries.

The top 10 steel-producing countries are all playing a major role in the global steel industry. These countries are investing in new technologies and expanding their production capacity. The steel industry is an important part of the global economy, and these countries are playing a leading role in its development.

List of Top 10 Largest Steel-Producing Countries

The below table lists the top 10 steel-producing countries along with their contribution to the global output:

Country	Steel Production
China	1,032,790 kt
India	118,201 kt
Japan	96,334.5 kt
USA	85,791.4 kt
Russia	75,584.8 kt
South Korea	70,418 kt
Turkey	40,360 kt
Germany	40,066.3 kt
Brazil	36,174.3 kt
Iran	28,460 kt

Largest Steel Producing Country – China

China is the largest steel producing country in the world, accounting for 52.9% of the world’s total production in 2022.

• In 2021, China produced 1.013 kt of crude steel, which was more than the next three largest producers combined (India, Japan, and the United States).
• China’s steel industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, driven by strong demand from the construction sector.
• The growth of China’s steel industry has had a significant impact on the global steel market. China is now the world’s largest exporter of steel, and its exports have put downward pressure on steel prices around the world.
• This has led to complaints from steel producers in other countries, who have accused China of dumping steel on the global market.

Second Largest Steel Producing Country – India

As of 2023, India is the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel, with an output of118,201 kt) in 2023.

• India’s steel industry has grown significantly in the last decade, with production increasing by 75% since 2008.
• Industry experts attribute this growth to various factors, including increased investments in infrastructure projects, a booming automobile sector, and a growing emphasis on defense and engineering.
• Odisha is the largest producer of steel in India, with a capacity of 18 million tonnes per year. Other major steel-producing states in India include Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
• Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur is known as the “Steel City of India” because it’s home to India’s largest steel manufacturing plant, the Tata Steel plant. The plant has a capacity of over 10 million tons per year.

Third Largest Steel Producing Country – Japan

Japan is the third largest producer of steel in the world, following only China and India. In 2021, Japan produced about 96,334.5 kt of crude steel.

• The steel industry in Japan is heavily reliant on blast furnaces (BFs) to meet production needs, with the iron produced in BFs accounting for 76 percent of total steel production.
• Japan has a long history of steel production, dating back to the 16th century. The first modern steel mill in Japan was built in 1870, and the industry grew rapidly in the following decades.
• The steel industry in Japan played a major role in the country’s economic development. Steel was used to build railroads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.
• The industry employs over 300,000 people and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year.

Fourth Largest Steel Producing Country – USA

The United States is the world’s fourth-largest producer of steel, producing 85,791.4 kt in 2023.

• The American steel industry is an important part of the U.S. economy, employing over 500,000 people and contributing billions of dollars to the GDP.
• Steel is used in a wide variety of products, including cars, appliances, buildings, and bridges.
• The U.S. steel industry has a long and rich history. The first steel mill in the United States was built in Pennsylvania in 1817.
• The industry grew rapidly in the 19th century, as the country industrialized. By the early 20th century, the United States was the world’s leading producer of steel.

Fifth Largest Steel Producing Country – Russia

Russia is the world’s fifth-largest producer of steel, behind China, India, Japan, and the United States.

• In 2021, Russia produced 75,584.8 kt of steel, which accounted for about 5% of global production.
• The Russian steel industry is dominated by a few large companies, including Novolipetsk Steel, Evraz, and Severstal. These companies produce a wide range of steel products, including hot-rolled coil, cold-rolled coil, and plate.
• The Russian steel industry is an important part of the country’s economy. Steel is used in a variety of industries, including construction, automotive, and machinery.
• The Russian steel industry also exports a significant amount of steel to other countries. The main export markets for Russian steel are Turkey, Taiwan, and Mexico.

Sixth Largest Steel Producing Country – South Korea

South Korea is the sixth-largest steel producer in the world, with a production capacity of over 70,418 kt in 2021.

• The country’s steel industry is dominated by a few large companies, including POSCO, Hyundai Steel, and Dongkuk Steel.
• The steel industry in South Korea is an important part of the country’s economy. It employs over 300,000 people and contributes over 5% of the country’s GDP.
• The industry is also a major exporter, with over 60% of its production being exported to countries around the world.
• The steel industry in South Korea is facing a number of challenges. The global economic slowdown has led to a decrease in demand for steel. The country is also facing competition from other steel producers, such as China and India.

Seventh Largest Steel Producing Country – Turkey

Turkey is the world’s seventh-largest steel producer, accounting for 2.1% of global production.

• In 2022, Turkey produced 40.4 million tons of crude steel, which is a 12.7% increase from 2020. Turkey is also Europe’s largest steel producer.
• Turkey’s steel industry includes, 27 electric arc furnace mill plants (EAF), 11 induction furnace plants, 3 BOF plants, 1.42 million tons of wire rod exports in 2021.
• Turkey exports steel and steel products to 193 countries, making it the world’s largest rebar exporter and the sixth-biggest steel exporter.
• Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari T.A.S. is the largest flat steel manufacturer of Turkey, located in Kdz Eregli.
• Some of the most important companies among the steel manufacturers in Turkey are: Iskenderun Iron and Steel Co. Inc, Eregli Iron and Steel Factories TAS, Icdac Celik Energy Shipyard and Transportation Industry Inc.

Eighth Largest Steel Producing Country – Germany

As of 2023, Germany is the eighth largest steel producer in the world, producing 40,066.3 kt of steel.

• Germany is Europe’s largest steel manufacturer and is known for its high-quality products and advanced manufacturing processes.
• Germany has been developing its iron and steel industry since the early 18th century.
• The company Thyssenkrupp is Germany’s largest steelmaker, and its Duisburg steel production site accounts for 2% of Germany’s CO2 emissions.
• In 2022, Germany’s steel production decreased due to a fall in demand.

Ninth Largest Steel Producing Country – Brazil

As of 2021, Brazil is the ninth largest producer of steel in the world.

• Brazil is also the world’s second largest producer of iron ore and has one of the largest reserves of high-quality ore.
• Brazil’s steel industry is primarily driven by demand from the construction, infrastructure development, and automotive manufacturing sectors.
• Brazil’s steel production is concentrated among four large companies, most of which are domestically-owned.
• Brazil’s steel production uses a mix of iron ore-based blast furnaces and scrap metal-based electric arc furnaces.

Tenth Largest Steel Producing Country – Iran

Iran’s crude steel production reached 28,460 kt from January to the end of October 2023.

• According to the report by WAS, Iran has remained as the 10th largest steel producer in the world by producing over 28,460 kt of crude steel in October 2023.
• For years, Iran had been ranked 15th in world steel’s list of top steel-producing countries.
• However, a steady increase in Iranian steel production, which has been caused by the country’s expansionist policies in its metals sector, has allowed Iran to gradually ascend in the ranking this year.
• That has come amid a war between Russia and Ukraine that has affected supplies in the international markets.

Conclusion – Top 10 Largest Steel Producing Countries

The steel industry is an important part of the global economy. Steel is used in a wide variety of applications, from construction to manufacturing. China is the world’s largest steel producer, accounting for over half of global production. India is the second largest producer, followed by Japan and the United States. The steel industry is a major employer in many countries. In China, the steel industry employs over 10 million people. The steel industry is also a major contributor to GDP in many countries. In India, for example, the steel industry contributes over 2% to GDP. The steel industry is facing a number of challenges, including rising costs, overcapacity, and environmental concerns. However, the steel industry is also expected to grow in the coming years, driven by demand from developing countries.

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FAQs on Top 10 Largest Steel Producing Countries

Which country produces the most steel globally?

China is the largest steel-producing country, accounting for over half of the world’s steel production.

What are the top steel-producing countries after China?

India, Japan, the United States, and Russia are among the top steel-producing countries following China.

How much steel does China produce annually?

China produces approximately half of the world’s steel, amounting to over 1,032,790 kt annually.

What factors contribute to China’s dominance in steel production?

China’s abundant resources, large-scale infrastructure projects, and strong industrial base contribute to its leading position in steel production.

Which country has the highest per capita steel production?

Luxembourg has the highest per capita steel production due to its relatively small population and significant steel industry.

What challenges does India face in steel production?

India faces challenges such as infrastructure limitations, raw material scarcity, and environmental concerns in its steel production sector.

How does the United States rank in global steel production?

The United States consistently ranks among the top steel-producing countries, with a significant portion of its production used for construction and manufacturing.

What impact does steel production have on the environment?

Steel production contributes to environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and pollution from mining and manufacturing processes.

Which country is known for its high-quality steel production?

Japan is famous for its high-quality steel production, characterized by advanced technology, stringent quality control, and innovation.

How do fluctuations in steel production affect global economies?

Fluctuations in steel production can impact global economies by influencing construction costs, infrastructure development, trade balances, and manufacturing competitiveness.