The key facts
- Global steel production in 2025 fell to 1,848.9 million tonnes, down about 2% compared with 2024.
- China remained the leader with 960.8 million tonnes, although it cut output from 1,005.1 million tonnes a year earlier.
- The US (81.9 million tonnes) overtook Japan (80.7 million tonnes) to take third place; India increased production to 164.9 million tonnes.
Global steel output fell by 2%
The World Steel Association (Worldsteel) published the World Steel in Figures 2026 handbook with full results for 2025 — the ranking reflects steel actually smelted last year, not a forecast for 2026. According to the association, global production fell from 1,886.8 million tonnes in 2024 to 1,848.9 million tonnes in 2025, which means a decline of about 2%. The situation nevertheless differed across countries: output grew in India and the US, while it declined in China and Japan.
China keeps a large lead over the rest
China produced 960.8 million tonnes of steel in 2025, versus 1,005.1 million tonnes a year earlier. Despite the decline, the country's lead over other producers remains significant.
India grows, the US overtook Japan
India increased its output from 149.4 million tonnes to 164.9 million tonnes — an increase of 15.5 million tonnes. The US, with 81.9 million tonnes, took third place, while Japan, with 80.7 million tonnes, dropped to fourth. Russia kept fifth place, South Korea sixth, and Turkey moved above Germany.
Top 10 steel producers in 2025
According to Worldsteel, the ten largest producers are as follows: China — 960.8 million tonnes; India — 164.9 million tonnes; the US — 81.9 million tonnes; Japan — 80.7 million tonnes; Russia — 67.9 million tonnes; South Korea — 62.2 million tonnes; Turkey — 38.1 million tonnes; Germany — 34.1 million tonnes; Brazil — 33.4 million tonnes; Iran — 32 million tonnes.
