 Production of crude steel has risen at an astounding rate, reaching 1,691 m tonnes by 2017

During the 20th century, the consumption of steel increased at an average annual rate of 3.3%.In 1900, the United States was producing 37% of the world's steel, but With post war industrial development in Asia and centralised investment by China, by 2017 China alone accounted for 50%, with Europe (including the former Soviet Union) down to 24% and North America down to 6%.For details of country-wise steel production see steel production by country.