Steel is one of the most important metals in the world, as it is used in almost every industry from construction to automotive. India is one of the world’s largest producers of steel, but its per capita steel consumption is one of the lowest in the world. This article will explore the reasons why India has such a low per capita consumption of steel.
Low Per Capita Consumption of Steel in India
India is the second largest producer of steel in the world, producing over 100 million metric tons of crude steel in 2020. Despite this, India’s per capita steel consumption remains one of the lowest in the world. India’s per capita steel consumption is only around 60 kilograms, which is much lower than the global average of 208 kilograms.
Reasons for Low Steel Consumption in India
There are several reasons why India has such a low per capita consumption of steel.
First, India’s population is one of the largest in the world, at over 1.3 billion people. This means that even though the country produces a lot of steel, it is spread out across a large population, resulting in a low per capita consumption.
Second, India’s steel industry is relatively inefficient. India’s steel industry is dominated by inefficient and outdated state-run steel plants, which produce low quality steel at high costs. This makes it difficult for Indian steel companies to compete with international steel producers, leading to a low consumption of steel.
Third, the Indian government has placed high tariffs on steel imports, which has resulted in high steel prices. This has made it difficult for Indian consumers to afford steel, leading to a low per capita consumption.
Finally, India’s infrastructure is inadequate, which has resulted in a low demand for steel. India’s infrastructure is inadequate, which has led to a low demand for steel. India’s roads, ports, and railways are in need of improvement, which has resulted in a low demand for steel.
India is one of the world’s largest producers of steel, but its per capita steel consumption remains one of the lowest in the world. This is due to a combination of factors, including India’s large population, inefficient steel industry, high tariffs on steel imports, and inadequate infrastructure. If these issues are addressed, India’s per capita steel consumption could increase significantly.