In 2024, the world produced 1.86 billion tons of unrefined steel, 1% less than in 2023. 98% of the world’s crude steel production comes from 71 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (Worldsteel), which includes Kazakhstan.
Steel remains a backbone material for the global economy, determining the level of industrialization, the rate of infrastructure growth and the technological independence of countries. The unique combination of strength, affordability and complete recyclability makes it indispensable in strategically important industries – from heavy engineering and transport to energy and defense.
More than half of the steel produced is used in construction and infrastructure, 16% in mechanical engineering, 12% in the automotive industry, 5% in the production of other types of transport. The remaining 15% is accounted for by the production of electrical equipment, household appliances and other metal products.
More than half of the steel produced in the world comes from China alone: in 2024, its share was 53.3% (for comparison, in 2014 – 49.1%). Last year, the Celestial Empire produced just over 1 billion tons of unrefined steel – more than in other countries combined. At the same time, compared to 2023, the volume of steel production decreased by 2.3%, or 23.8 million tons. In recent years, China has sought to maintain rapid growth in the industry. As part of this policy, the Chinese government urges companies not to produce steel without an order, at a loss or without confirmed payment. Moreover, Beijing has announced plans to reduce steel production, with some experts predicting a reduction of up to 50 million tons this year.
Other Asian countries together accounted for 20.3% of the world’s unrefined steel production. Among them, it is worth highlighting India (7.9%) and Japan (4.5%), which occupy the second and third places in the world in terms of production volume: 149.4 million and 84 million tons, respectively.
The top 5 largest producers of unrefined steel also include the United States and Russia: 79.5 million and 71 million tons, respectively.
Kazakhstan moved from the 37th to the 32nd place: the production volume increased from 3.9 million tons in 2023 to 4.2 million tons in 2024. Among the Central Asian and EAEU countries, in addition to the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, only Belarus was included in the list of the largest producers: 43rd place, 2.3 million tons.
This year, the volume of unrefined steel production in Kazakhstan continues to grow. Thus, in January-June, the country produced 2.14 million tons of unrefined steel, up by 2.4% YoY. A year earlier, production increased by 6.3%. (Kazinform)