Crude steelmaking capacity in North Korea
North Korea: Crude steelmaking capacity was 11.15 Tonnes in 2025. ▬ Flat
Crude steelmaking capacity in North Korea, 2000–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Tonnes.
Analysis
North Korea recorded 11.15 Tonnes for crude steelmaking capacity in 2025. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, crude steelmaking capacity in North Korea peaked at 11.15 Tonnes in 2000 and was at its lowest, 11.15 Tonnes, in 2000.
North Korea ranks 19th of 115 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Crude steelmaking capacity in North Korea, year by year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11.15 Tonnes | — |
| 2001 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 11.15 Tonnes | +0.0% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 11.15 Tonnes is above the median for low income countries, which is 0.066 Tonnes, 169.0× the median. (6 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 11.15 Tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.79 Tonnes, 6.2× the median. (15 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.15 Tonnes | 11.15 Tonnes | 11.15 Tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.15 Tonnes | 11.15 Tonnes | 11.15 Tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.15 Tonnes | 11.15 Tonnes | 11.15 Tonnes | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More urban development data for North Korea
- Population in the largest city 18.8% (2025)
- Population density 220.07 people per sq. km of land area (2024)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 21.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 3.21 million (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per capita 0.1208 units per person (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, annual 0.8218 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per square 26.22 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Population in largest city 3.21 million (2025)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 88.45 Hectares (2020)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is crude steelmaking capacity in North Korea?
- Crude steelmaking capacity in North Korea was 11.15 Tonnes in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest crude steelmaking capacity recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 11.15 Tonnes in 2000.
- What is the lowest crude steelmaking capacity recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.15 Tonnes in 2000.
- How does North Korea rank for crude steelmaking capacity?
- North Korea ranks 19th out of 115 countries with data for 2025.
- Is crude steelmaking capacity rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Crude steelmaking capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This dataset provides information on crude steelmaking capacity for 132 OECD Member countries and non-OECD economies over the period 2000–2025. Definitions Steelmaking capacity Nominal crude steelmaking capacity is defined as the maximum theoretical output of installed steelmaking equipment. This definition does not account for yield losses, maintenance downtime, or other factors affecting actual production. As a result, the steelmaking capacity figures provided by the OECD should not be interpreted as effective capacity. Capacity is expressed in million metric tonnes (mmt). Annual capacity figures reflect all steelmaking capacity existing at the end of each calendar year. Steelmaking equipment Steelmaking equipment includes all equipment used to produce crude steel. The definition excludes ironmaking equipment, which is considered upstream, as well as casting, rolling, and finishing equipment, which are considered downstream. Specifically, crude steelmaking equipment includes electric arc furnaces (EAF), induction furnaces (IF) and LD basic oxygen furnaces (BOF). Methodology Steelmaking capacity developments are derived from data on existing capacity, investments, and closures. Capacity changes reflect new additions and permanent closures and therefore represent net changes. In some cases, capacity may be overestimated due to the assumption that projects classified as underway with expired start dates have become operational. Only permanent closures are included in capacity calculations, although some closures cannot be clearly classified due to limited available information. Data sources OECD calculations based on desk research, company websites, publicly available news sources and information exchanges within the OECD Steel Committee. Cite this dataset OECD (2025). Crude steelmaking capacity dataset. Accessed on [Day Month Year]. Further information OECD Steel Outlook 2025 OECD Steel Committee Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity For questions or comments regarding this dataset, please contact Maika Sakamoto (Maika.SAKAMOTO@oecd.org) or Masanobu Nakamizu (Masanobu.NAKAMIZU@oecd.org).