Ores and metals imports (% of merchandise imports) in United States
United States: Ores and metals imports (% of merchandise imports) was 2.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Ores and metals imports in United States, 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 States is 2.4%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 17.5% on the previous year and up 24.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, ores and metals imports in United States peaked at 12.6% in 1962 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2003.
United States ranks 62nd of 196 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Ores and metals imports (% of merchandise imports) in United States, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 12.6% | — |
| 1963 | 11.4% | -9.1% |
| 1964 | 11.1% | -2.9% |
| 1965 | 11.3% | +1.8% |
| 1966 | 11.2% | -1.1% |
| 1967 | 10.5% | -6.3% |
| 1968 | 9.7% | -7.6% |
| 1969 | 7.9% | -18.3% |
| 1970 | 7.7% | -2.3% |
| 1971 | 6.3% | -18.3% |
| 1972 | 5.8% | -7.2% |
| 1973 | 5.9% | +1.4% |
| 1974 | 6.1% | +3.7% |
| 1975 | 5.1% | -16.3% |
| 1976 | 5.1% | -1.0% |
| 1977 | 4.5% | -11.2% |
| 1978 | 4.7% | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 4.7% | +0.5% |
| 1980 | 4.7% | +0.8% |
| 1981 | 4.2% | -10.4% |
| 1982 | 3.3% | -20.9% |
| 1983 | 3.8% | +14.7% |
| 1984 | 3.4% | -10.5% |
| 1985 | 2.8% | -18.3% |
| 1986 | 2.9% | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 2.6% | -7.9% |
| 1989 | 3.4% | +28.4% |
| 1990 | 3.0% | -9.9% |
| 1991 | 2.7% | -11.7% |
| 1992 | 2.4% | -9.6% |
| 1993 | 2.2% | -7.7% |
| 1994 | 2.4% | +8.1% |
| 1995 | 2.7% | +10.4% |
| 1996 | 2.4% | -9.6% |
| 1997 | 2.4% | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 2.4% | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 2.2% | -8.6% |
| 2000 | 2.2% | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 2.1% | -4.5% |
| 2002 | 1.8% | -13.7% |
| 2003 | 1.7% | -6.9% |
| 2004 | 2.0% | +18.4% |
| 2005 | 2.2% | +8.1% |
| 2006 | 2.8% | +27.3% |
| 2007 | 2.8% | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 2.6% | -7.6% |
| 2009 | 2.0% | -22.6% |
| 2010 | 2.3% | +14.3% |
| 2011 | 2.6% | +12.8% |
| 2012 | 2.3% | -13.5% |
| 2013 | 2.2% | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 2.1% | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 2.0% | -8.2% |
| 2016 | 1.9% | -3.3% |
| 2017 | 2.2% | +18.0% |
| 2018 | 2.3% | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 2.2% | -4.1% |
| 2020 | 2.3% | +7.0% |
| 2021 | 2.9% | +23.5% |
| 2022 | 2.6% | -8.4% |
| 2023 | 2.3% | -13.7% |
| 2024 | 2.1% | -8.2% |
| 2025 | 2.4% | +17.5% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 2.4% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 1.1× the median. (71 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 10.7% | 7.9% | 12.6% | 8 |
| 1970s | 5.6% | 4.5% | 7.7% | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.5% | 2.6% | 4.7% | 9 |
| 1990s | 2.5% | 2.2% | 3.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.2% | 1.7% | 2.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.2% | 1.9% | 2.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.4% | 2.1% | 2.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near United States
More energy & mining data for United States
- Gas production 10,737 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 30,919 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 10,737 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 30,919 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gas production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Gas production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0.0001 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is ores and metals imports in United States?
- Ores and metals imports in United States was 2.4% in 2025, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest ores and metals imports recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 12.6% in 1962.
- What is the lowest ores and metals imports recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2003.
- How does United States rank for ores and metals imports?
- United States ranks 62nd out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is ores and metals imports rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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.