In its annual World Steel in Figures report, worldsteel said global output grew 3.8% from 1.88 billion metric tons in 2020, despite that China’s output declined. China produced 1.03 billion metric tons during the year, nearly 3% less than in 2020. 

Nevertheless, it remained unrivaled as the world’s largest producer. 

“World Steel in Figures shows that most countries around the world saw an increase in both steel production and use in 2021 despite COVID restrictions remaining in place in many locations. An expectation of a continued and stable recovery from the pandemic this year and beyond has been shaken by the war in Ukraine and rising inflation,” said worldsteel director general Edwin Basson. 

India and Japan remained the world’s second- and third-largest producers, making 118.2 million metric tons and 96.3 million metric tons, respectively. The U.S. also remained the fourth-largest producer, making 85.8 million metric tons.