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Manufacturing

The World's Manufacturing Superpowers

While China’s status as the world’s largest manufacturing hub seems to be a given these days, that hasn’t always been the case. In fact, as recently as 2009, the U.S. trumped China in manufacturing output as measured by total value added in the sector.

As our latest racing bar video shows, China’s manufacturing output (measured in constant 2015 dollars) climbed from roughly $200 billion in 1990 to more than $4 trillion thirty years later. During that time, China’s share of global manufacturing output climbed from 3 percent to more than 30 percent, while former manufacturing leader the United States saw its share drop from 23 to 17 percent. In 2000, the U.S. share of global manufacturing had been even higher at 26 percent, but in 2001, which opened the country up to the world economy, quickly changed the balance of power.

China’s current status as “the world’s factory” is one of the reasons why the economic fallout of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic was felt around the world, and still is. Many of the world’s largest consumer brands are relying on Chinese manufacturing and are still grappling with supply constraints caused by lockdowns and factory closures across the country.

Description

This video shows the world's largest manufacturing economies, based on value added in constant 2015 dollars.

Premium statistics
Manufacturing sector value added to GDP in the U.S. 2025, by industry
Monthly change in the manufacturing sector employment in the U.S. 2025-2026
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Value added to GDP by manufacturing industry in the U.S. 2000-2025
Share of manufacturing to GDP value added in LAC 2024, by territory
Value added to the GDP by the manufacturing sector in LAC 2024, by territory
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Share of manufacturing to GDP value added in Curaçao 2000-2024

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