Ores and metals imports in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Ores and metals imports was 3.3% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Ores and metals imports in United Kingdom, 1962–2025
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
The most recent figure for ores and metals imports in United Kingdom is 3.3%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 24.0% on the previous year and up 27.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, ores and metals imports in United Kingdom peaked at 11.6% in 1969 and was at its lowest, 2.1%, in 2003.
United Kingdom ranks 41st of 196 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Ores and metals imports in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 9.3% | — |
| 1963 | 8.7% | -7.2% |
| 1964 | 10.1% | +17.0% |
| 1965 | 10.7% | +6.1% |
| 1966 | 11.2% | +4.0% |
| 1967 | 9.9% | -11.8% |
| 1968 | 11.4% | +15.4% |
| 1969 | 11.6% | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 11.3% | -2.7% |
| 1971 | 8.6% | -24.0% |
| 1972 | 7.1% | -17.1% |
| 1973 | 7.1% | +0.4% |
| 1974 | 7.3% | +2.1% |
| 1975 | 6.0% | -17.3% |
| 1976 | 6.2% | +2.2% |
| 1977 | 5.6% | -9.0% |
| 1978 | 4.7% | -15.5% |
| 1979 | 5.6% | +18.5% |
| 1980 | 7.3% | +30.7% |
| 1981 | 5.6% | -23.4% |
| 1982 | 4.8% | -14.7% |
| 1983 | 5.5% | +14.6% |
| 1984 | 4.6% | -16.6% |
| 1985 | 4.2% | -7.8% |
| 1986 | 3.8% | -9.7% |
| 1987 | 3.6% | -4.6% |
| 1988 | 4.0% | +9.0% |
| 1989 | 4.1% | +3.8% |
| 1990 | 3.8% | -7.0% |
| 1991 | 3.5% | -8.9% |
| 1992 | 3.2% | -9.2% |
| 1993 | 3.4% | +8.1% |
| 1994 | 3.1% | -10.6% |
| 1995 | 3.4% | +10.4% |
| 1996 | 3.1% | -7.6% |
| 1997 | 3.0% | -2.5% |
| 1998 | 3.0% | -2.3% |
| 1999 | 2.6% | -12.1% |
| 2000 | 2.7% | +4.0% |
| 2001 | 2.7% | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 2.2% | -17.9% |
| 2003 | 2.1% | -3.5% |
| 2004 | 2.3% | +5.9% |
| 2005 | 2.4% | +6.2% |
| 2006 | 3.2% | +31.4% |
| 2007 | 3.5% | +8.8% |
| 2008 | 3.4% | -1.3% |
| 2009 | 2.9% | -13.8% |
| 2010 | 4.0% | +37.3% |
| 2011 | 4.3% | +6.4% |
| 2012 | 4.0% | -6.2% |
| 2013 | 3.5% | -12.0% |
| 2014 | 3.0% | -15.8% |
| 2015 | 2.6% | -12.2% |
| 2016 | 2.4% | -7.1% |
| 2017 | 2.9% | +20.1% |
| 2018 | 2.8% | -3.3% |
| 2019 | 3.0% | +5.8% |
| 2020 | 3.7% | +25.3% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | +32.2% |
| 2022 | 3.2% | -35.4% |
| 2023 | 2.9% | -9.3% |
| 2024 | 2.7% | -7.2% |
| 2025 | 3.3% | +24.0% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 3.3% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.1%, 1.6× the median. (71 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 3.3% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2.6%, 1.3× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 10.4% | 8.7% | 11.6% | 8 |
| 1970s | 6.9% | 4.7% | 11.3% | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.8% | 3.6% | 7.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.2% | 2.6% | 3.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.7% | 2.1% | 3.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.3% | 2.4% | 4.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.5% | 2.7% | 5.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More energy & mining data for United Kingdom
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -1.3 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 8.2% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 5.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is ores and metals imports in United Kingdom?
- Ores and metals imports in United Kingdom was 3.3% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest ores and metals imports recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 11.6% in 1969.
- What is the lowest ores and metals imports recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.1% in 2003.
- How does United Kingdom rank for ores and metals imports?
- United Kingdom ranks 41st out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is ores and metals imports rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Ores and metals imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
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). Imports of services are services provided by non-residents to residents. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a 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.