The updated data from the United Nations on manufacturing output by country clearly shows the USA remains by far the largest manufacturer in the world. UN Data, in billions of current US dollars:
| Country | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 1,041 | 1,289 | 1,543 | 1,663 | 1,700 | 1,831 |
| China | 143 | 299 | 484 | 734 | 891 | 1,106 |
| Japan | 804 | 1,209 | 1.034 | 954 | 934 | 926 |
| Germany | 438 | 517 | 392 | 566 | 595 | 670 |
| Russian Federation | 211 | 104 | 73 | 222 | 281 | 362 |
| Italy | 240 | 226 | 206 | 289 | 299 | 345 |
| United Kingdom | 207 | 219 | 228 | 269 | 303 | 342 |
| France | 224 | 259 | 190 | 249 | 248 | 296 |
| Korea | 65 | 129 | 134 | 200 | 220 | 241 |
| Canada | 92 | 100 | 129 | 177 | 195 | 218 |
| Spain | 101 | 103 | 98 | 164 | 176 | 208 |
| Brazil | 120 | 125 | 96 | 137 | 170 | 206 |
| Additional countries of interest – not the next largest | ||||||
| India | 50 | 59 | 67 | 118 | 135 | 167 |
| Mexico | 50 | 55 | 107 | 122 | 136 | 144 |
| Indonesia | 29 | 60 | 46 | 80 | 102 | 121 |
| Turkey | 33 | 38 | 38 | 75 | 85 | 101 |
The USA’s share of the manufacturing output of the countries that manufactured over $200 billion in 2007 (the 12 countries on the top of the chart above) in 1990 was 28%, 1995 28%, 2000 33%, 2005 30%, 2006 28%, 2007 27%. China’s share has grown from 4% in 1990, 1995 7%, 2000 11%, 2005 13%, 2006 15%, 2007 16%.
Total manufacturing output in the USA was up 76% in 2007 from the 1990 level. Japan, the second largest manufacturer in 1990, and third today, has increased output 15% (the lowest of the top 12, France is next lowest at 32%) while China is up an amazing 673% (Korea is next at an increase of 271%).
Since 2000 the USA has the second lowest increase in manufacturing output – up just 19% (Japan is worst with a decrease of 10%), the group of 12 is up 47% over that period. China is up 129%.
Total manufacturing output for some additional countries in 2007: Netherlands $94 billion, Thailand 85, South Africa 46, Singapore 38, Vietnam 15.
This data cannot be seen as perfectly accurate, but it is very interesting. Economic data (especially global data) has plenty of margin for error. And you will notice some of the figures for the same periods changes compared to posts from previous years – since it is based on current dollar value. Still it provides a useful view of global manufacturing activity, especially since there is so many misconceptions about the decline in USA manufacturing.
Post with updated data: Chart of Manufacturing Output by Country 1999-2011 (top 14 countries)
Related: Top 10 Manufacturing Countries 2006 – manufacturing data for 2005 – Global Manufacturing Data by Country for 2004 – Worldwide manufacturing job data – Curious Cat Economics Search Engine
Comments
19 Comments so far
19,696 MW of capacity were added in 2007, bringing the total to 93,849 MW. Europe accounts for 61% of installed capacity, Germany accounts for 24% and the USA 18%…
[…] This is a reminder that manufacturing output continues to grow in the USA. In June they received an order for 500 MW in the USA. In October Vestas has received orders for […]
“Hours worked decreased for all countries in the period of 2000-2007 (UK has had the largest decrease 3.9% annual average decrease, the USA in next at 3.1%).” Only 3 countries had decreases in output for that period.
[…] China has grown from 4% of the output of the largest manufacturing companies in 1990 to manufacturing 16% of the total output in China today. That 12% had to come from other’s shares. And given all you hear from the general press, […]
I’m so happy to have some across this chart…I’m so sick and tired of hearing about how the US doesn’t manufacture anything!!!!
Wake up you can not compare manufacturing output over the years based on dollar amounts! Has any one ever heard of inflation. One dollar in 1990 has the same buying power as $1.60 did in 2007. That is 60% more output in 1990 that should be added to the 1990 numbers. I’m a machinist and I can tell you manufacturing was doing a lot better in the mid to late 90’s than it is doing today. Just try to buy something in the stores today that is made in the U.S.
[…] when he said that the “fundamentals of our economy are strong.” We remain amongst the largest manufacturing countries in the world and one of the biggest exporters in the […]
[…] Global Manufacturing Data by Country – This data shows the United States manufacturing economy is continuing to grow and is solidly the largest manufacturing economy: which contradicts what many believe. It is true manufacturing jobs are decreasing in the United States and worldwide – China is losing far more manufacturing jobs than the USA… [see updated data for largest manufacturing economies] […]
This year it is likely the ‘big three’ will manufacture fewer than 50% of the cars manufactured in the USA (the “big three” have more production in Canada and Mexico than the “foreign” companies do)…
[…] And by the way, we actually do still make stuff. Lots of stuff – Then why can’t I ever find a t-shirt or some jeans made in the U.S. ? (From something […]
The economic clout of the USA has been huge since the end of World War II. The relative position has been decreasing recently with the rise of not only Europe and Japan but Korea, China, India, Brazil and many more…
The reason the US has a high dollar value production level is because it makes expensive products. Cheaper products are made out of the US when the US makes computers, satelites, tractors, airplanes and other things that bring the production value up in the US.
I doubt many suspect that the USA’s share of manufacturing stayed stable from 1990 to 1995 then grew to 2000 took until 2006 to return to the 1990-1995 levels and then has declined in 2007 and 2008 a bit below the 1990 level and during that entire time was growing (even in 2007 and 2008)…
[…] also sends a link to manufacturing output trends, as of […]
“why can’t I ever find a t-shirt or some jeans. etc” because we don’t make those things here, we make other things. Things that are harder to make. Things that you can’t pay someone 2 bucks an hour to make. Why are we so interested in bringing back bad jobs to this country that would just make t-shirts and jeans more expensive?
the USA’s share of the manufacturing output, of the countries that manufactured over $185 billion in 2008, at 28.1% in 1990, 32% in 2000, 28% in 2005 and 24% in 2008. China’s share has grown from 4% in 1990 to 18% in 2008…
[…] top manufacturer since World War II. According to the most recent data I can find by doing a Google search, in 2007 the US still held the top spot for manufacturing. Some believe that China has now […]
The USA is the largest manufacturer , china wont become the largest manufacturer you have my world , you’ll see in 5 -10 it will fall apart like the mighty USSR did , the clues are in front of , so LONG LIVE USA !
The USA’s share of the manufacturing output of the countries that manufactured over $200 billion in 2007 (the 12 countries on the top of the chart above) in 1990 was 28%, 1995 28%, 2000 33%, 2005 30%, 2006 28%, 2007 27%. China’s share has grown from 4% in 1990, 1995 7%, 2000 11%, 2005 13%, 2006 15%, 2007 16%…