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

Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) — Northern America

Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) in Northern America in 2024 — 3.81%. Since 1980, the indicator has fallen by 3.31 pp.

2024 3.81% +0.08 pp vs 2023
World rank
Period maximum 7.12%1980
Period minimum 3.5%2016

Trend over time

1980–2024 · % of merchandise exports

Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) — Northern America, 1980–202434567819801985199019952000200520102015202020241980: 7.12%1981: 5.07%1983: 4.6%1984: 4.59%1985: 4.47%2012: 4.37%2013: 4.06%2014: 3.97%2015: 3.72%2016: 3.5%2017: 3.72%2018: 3.93%2019: 3.62%2020: 4.18%2021: 4.7%2022: 4.01%2023: 3.74%2024: 3.81%
Change over the period: −3.31 pp Annual average: -0.08 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Northern America

Northern America 3.81%
World 4.02%
Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) — Northern America, by year Northern America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 3.81 +0.08 pp
2023 3.74 −0.27 pp
2022 4.01 −0.69 pp
2021 4.7 +0.52 pp
2020 4.18 +0.56 pp
2019 3.62 −0.32 pp
2018 3.93 +0.21 pp
2017 3.72 +0.22 pp
2016 3.5 −0.22 pp
2015 3.72 −0.25 pp
2014 3.97 −0.08 pp
2013 4.06 −0.31 pp
2012 4.37
1985 4.47 −0.12 pp
1984 4.59 −0.01 pp
1983 4.6
1981 5.07 −2.05 pp
1980 7.12

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.