Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) — all countries

Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) — Low-income countries

Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) in low-income countries in 2019 — 29.83%. Since 2001, the indicator has risen by 25.37 pp.

2019 29.83% +5.64 pp vs 2018
World rank
Period maximum 30.01%2015
Period minimum 4.26%2002

Trend over time

2001–2019 · % of merchandise exports

Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) — Low-income countries, 2001–201901020304020012003200520072009201120132015201720192001: 4.46%2002: 4.26%2003: 5.32%2004: 6.15%2005: 5.71%2010: 6.88%2015: 30.01%2016: 23.34%2017: 24.46%2018: 24.19%2019: 29.83%
Change over the period: +25.37 pp Annual average: 1.41 pp

Comparison, 2019

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Low-income countries

Low-income countries 29.83%
World 3.77%
Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) — Low-income countries, by year Low-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2019 29.83 +5.64 pp
2018 24.19 −0.28 pp
2017 24.46 +1.13 pp
2016 23.34 −6.68 pp
2015 30.01
2010 6.88
2005 5.71 −0.44 pp
2004 6.15 +0.83 pp
2003 5.32 +1.06 pp
2002 4.26 −0.2 pp
2001 4.46

About the indicator

The share of ores, concentrates, non-ferrous and ferrous metals in merchandise exports. This is the second measure of commodity dependence after fuel, and the difference between them is meaningful: fuel is burned while metal stays in circulation, so a metallurgical specialization is more robust than an oil one to the shift to renewable energy — and demand for copper, lithium and nickel is exactly what that shift raises.

Important: Ores and metals together, with no split between raw material and processing: a country exporting concentrate and a country exporting rolled steel look the same by this indicator.

Source: UNCTADstat (UNCTAD), license CC BY 3.0 IGO.