Steel production in Arab countries recorded noticeable growth during 2025, with total output for the January–December period reaching around 43.7 million tonnes, an increase of 7.2% compared to the same period in 2024. December production alone rose to 3.9 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year growth of 6.1%.
Gulf Region
Gulf countries continued to show strong performance, with total steel production reaching 21.6 million tonnes in 2025, up 9.5% year on year. December output stood at 1.99 million tonnes, reflecting a 13% annual increase. Saudi Arabia led the region with 10.8 million tonnes (+12.3%), followed by the UAE with 3.85 million tonnes (+3.3%) and Oman with 3.03 million tonnes (stable). Qatar recorded the highest growth rate in the region at 44.4%, highlighting rapid capacity expansion.
Country | December 25 (000 t) | Change - Dec. 24/25 | Jan. - Dec. 2025 (000 t) | % Change 24/25 |
Saudi Arabia | 1,017 | 12.6% | 10,784 | 12.3% |
UAE | 350 | 0.9% | 3,849 | 3.3% |
Oman | 260 | 8.3% | 3,030 | 0.0% |
Bahrain | 100 | 0.0% | 1,191 | -1.2% |
Qatar | 165 | 96.4% | 1,698 | 44.4% |
Kuwait | 95 | 11.8% | 1,086 | 7.1% |
Total | 1,987 | 13.0% | 21,638 | 9.5% |
North Africa
Steel production in North Africa reached 18.7 million tonnes during 2025, posting 6% growth, while December output remained stable at 1.64 million tonnes. Egypt maintained its leading position with 10.65 million tonnes, despite a slight year-on-year decline of 0.8%. Algeria achieved strong growth of 17.9%, producing 5.33 million tonnes. Libya recorded a notable increase of 28%, while Morocco (+6.6%) and Tunisia (+5.5%) posted moderate growth.
Country | Dec. 25 (000 t) | Change - Dec. 24/25 | Jan. - Dec. 2025 (000 t) | % Change 24/25 |
Egypt | 1,045 | 5.4% | 10,645 | -0.8% |
Algeria | 350 | -16.7% | 5,330 | 17.9% |
Morocco | 130 | 8.3% | 1,508 | 6.6% |
Libya | 113 | 7.0% | 1,116 | 28.0% |
Tunisia | 6 | -14.3% | 77 | 5.5% |
Total | 1,644 | 0.0% | 18,676 | 6.0% |
Eastern Mediterranean
Steel production in the Eastern Mediterranean region remained broadly stable at 3.42 million tonnes in 2025 (-0.1%). December output totaled 292 thousand tonnes. Iraq continued to lead the region with production of 3.03 million tonnes (+0.3%), while output in Jordan was unchanged and Yemen declined by 13.1%.
Country | Dec. 25 (000 t) | Change - Dec. 24/25 | Jan. - Dec. 2025 (000 t) | % Change 24/25 |
Iraq | 260 | 0.0% | 3,030 | 0.3% |
Jordan | 25 | 0.0% | 300 | 0.0% |
اليمن | 7 | -22.2% | 93 | -13.1% |
الاجمالي | 292 | -0.7% | 3,423 | -0.1% |
Arab countries
Overall, the figures indicate a general improvement in the Arab steel industry in 2025, supported by strong growth in the Gulf and a gradual recovery in North Africa, alongside stable performance in the Eastern Mediterranean. This reflects ongoing investments and capacity expansions, with market attention focused on regional and global demand trends in the period ahead.
Dec. 25 (000 t) | Change - Dec. 24/25 | Jan. - Dec. 2025 (000 t) | % Change 24/25 | |
Arab countries | 3,923 | 6.1% | 43,738 | 7.2% |