Ores and metals exports in Least developed countries

Least developed countries: Ores and metals exports was 15.1% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
15.1%
Change on year
down 2.9%
Rank
6th
of 46 groups
All-time high
15.9%
in 2020
All-time low
7.4%
in 2009
Years of data
18
1978–2023

Ores and metals exports in Least developed countries, 1978–2023

0510151978200020231978: 11.4 % of merchandise exports2007: 10.5 % of merchandise exports2008: 9.8 % of merchandise exports2009: 7.4 % of merchandise exports2010: 9.9 % of merchandise exports2011: 9.8 % of merchandise exports2012: 8.7 % of merchandise exports2013: 9.6 % of merchandise exports2014: 13.6 % of merchandise exports2015: 12.3 % of merchandise exports2016: 11.4 % of merchandise exports2017: 10.5 % of merchandise exports2018: 9.7 % of merchandise exports2019: 14.2 % of merchandise exports2020: 15.9 % of merchandise exports2021: 15.4 % of merchandise exports2022: 15.6 % of merchandise exports2023: 15.1 % of merchandise exports

Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise exports.

Analysis

The most recent figure for ores and metals exports in Least developed countries is 15.1%, measured in 2023.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.9% on the previous year and up 57.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, ores and metals exports in Least developed countries peaked at 15.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 7.4%, in 2009.

Least developed countries ranks 6th of 46 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 18 years of available data.

Ores and metals exports in Least developed countries, year by year

Annual values for Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports) in Least developed countries, 1978 to 2023.
Year % of merchandise exports Change
1978 11.4%
2007 10.5% -8.3%
2008 9.8% -5.9%
2009 7.4% -25.2%
2010 9.9% +35.2%
2011 9.8% -1.4%
2012 8.7% -11.0%
2013 9.6% +9.8%
2014 13.6% +41.5%
2015 12.3% -9.0%
2016 11.4% -7.7%
2017 10.5% -8.1%
2018 9.7% -7.0%
2019 14.2% +45.9%
2020 15.9% +12.0%
2021 15.4% -3.3%
2022 15.6% +1.3%
2023 15.1% -2.9%

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Ores and metals exports in Least developed countries changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2019 +45.9% 9.7% 14.2%
2014 +41.5% 9.6% 13.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 11.4% 11.4% 11.4% 1
2000s 9.2% 7.4% 10.5% 3
2010s 11.0% 8.7% 14.2% 10
2020s 15.5% 15.1% 15.9% 4

Countries ranked near Least developed countries

  1. 3 Bahrain 64.8% compare
  2. 4 Chile 57.1% compare
  3. 5 Cuba 53.4% compare
  4. 6 Tajikistan 52.8% compare
  5. 7 Peru 47.8% compare
  6. 8 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 43.6% compare
  7. 9 New Caledonia 37.8% compare

See the full ranking of 240 places →

More energy & mining data for Least developed countries

All data for Least developed countries →

Frequently asked questions

What is ores and metals exports in Least developed countries?
Ores and metals exports in Least developed countries was 15.1% in 2023, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
What is the highest ores and metals exports recorded in Least developed countries?
The highest recorded value was 15.9% in 2020.
What is the lowest ores and metals exports recorded in Least developed countries?
The lowest recorded value was 7.4% in 2009.
How does Least developed countries rank for ores and metals exports?
Least developed countries ranks 6th out of 46 groups with data for 2023.
Is ores and metals exports rising or falling in Least developed countries?
Over the last ten years it is up 57.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Least developed countries data come from?
The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Ores and metals exports in Least developed countries. Statizoid, drawing on Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://energy.statizoid.com/stat/ores-and-metals-exports-percent-of-merchandise-exports/least-developed-countries-un-classification/

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About this data

Indicator
Ores and metals exports (% of merchandise exports)
Unit
% of merchandise exports
Source
Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
240 places, 9,796 data points, 1962–2025
Last refreshed

Ores and metals comprise the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) sections 27 (crude fertilizer, minerals nes); 28 (metalliferous ores, scrap); and 68 (non-ferrous metals). Exports of services are services provided by residents to non-residents. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise exports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a resident and a non-resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.