Infographic

Lithium in numbers

Lithium (Li) drawn as one poster: 290 kt of world mine production in 2025, Australia the largest producer, 9 critical mineral lists. Scroll to draw it, then download it as SVG or PNG.

PROSPECTOR TRAILS · INFOGRAPHIC · DATA YEAR 2025LithiumLiBattery mineral · symbol LiThe lightest metal, used mainly in lithium-ion battery cathodes and electrolytes, with smalleruses in glass, ceramics and lubricants. Batteries now take the large majority of supply, solithium tracks the electric-vehicle and grid-storage cycle closely.WORLD MINE PRODUCTION 2025290 ktLi content. USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries.TOP PRODUCER: AUSTRALIA32%92 kt of the world total in 2025.WORLD RESERVES 202537 MtLargest in Chile (9.2 Mt). Li content.CRITICAL MINERAL LISTS9Current government critical or strategic lists naminglithium, across 8 jurisdictions.TOP 3 PRODUCERS72%US NET IMPORT RELIANCE 202550%PRICE 20259,000 $/tTOP PRODUCERS 2025Where lithium comes fromAustralia92 kt32%China62 kt21%Chile56 kt19%Zimbabwe28 kt9.7%Argentina23 kt7.9%Brazil12 kt4.1%Mali9.4 kt3.2%Canada5.6 kt1.9%Portugal380 t0.1%Mine production, Li content. Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, estimates.World mine output was about 290 kt of contained lithium in 2025, led by Australia (92 kt, hard-rockspodumene), China (62 kt) and Chile (56 kt, brine), with Zimbabwe (28 kt) and Argentina (23 kt)growing fastest. Reserves are about 37 Mt, largest in Chile and Australia. Mining is moderatelyconcentrated (top three about 72%), but chemical refining is far tighter: the IEA puts the top threerefiners at 95% of 2025 supply, with China dominant.1925–2021A century of lithium production0.00 t625 kt1.2 Mt1.9 Mt2.5 Mt192519391952196619801994200720212021: 2.4 Mt1925: 3.7 ktWorld production, gross weight of lithium minerals/compounds as reported. Source: USGS Data Series 140, historicalstatistics.PRODUCING COUNTRIES9 countries reported lithium output in 2025Filled countries produce it; brighter is larger. Outline map simplified from Natural Earth.DEMAND BY END USE 2025What lithium is used for275 ktTOTAL DEMAND 2025Electric vehicles62%Battery storage12%Other uses26%IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026, Li content; total demand (CC BY 4.0).TRADE FLOWS 2024Biggest lithium trade routesAustralia → China$3.0 bnZimbabwe → China$791 mBrazil → China$285 mNigeria → China$160 mAustralia → South Korea$96 mHS 253090: Other mineral substances n.e.s. (basket; includes spodumene/lepidolite concentrates but not separable). Worldtrade $5.9 bn in 2024. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22).POLICYOn the critical listsUnited States (USGS): critical 2025European Union: strategic 2024United Kingdom (BGS): critical 2024Australia: critical 2024Canada: critical 2024United States (DOE): critical 2023India: critical 2023South Korea: strategic 2023China: strategic 2016EXPORT CONTROLSZimbabwe: export prohibition from 2022, export prohibition from 2026. Source: OECD export restrictionsinventory and government notices, as recorded in our data.prospectortrails.comSources: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, CEPII BACI, IEA (CC BY 4.0), World Bank,government lists. Figures rounded.PROSPECTOR TRAILSOpen data, drawn in numbers
Lithium infographic: world production, top producers, reserves, a century of output, producing countries on a map, demand by end use, trade routes, critical lists. Data year 2025.

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The numbers

The figures on the poster, with their sources. Production and reserves are USGS estimates, trade values are CEPII BACI customs data, demand is the IEA's outlook.

World mine production, 2025
290 kt (Li content) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Largest producer
Australia, 92 kt (32% of world) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Top three producers' share
72% USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
World reserves, 2025
37 Mt (Li content), largest in Chile USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Critical mineral lists
9 current lists in 8 jurisdictions (Australia, Canada, China, European Union, United Kingdom, India, South Korea, United States) government critical mineral lists
US net import reliance, 2025
50% USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
Price, 2025
9,000 $/t (Price, annual average-real, battery-grade lithium carbonate, dollars per metric ton) USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026
World production, 1925
3.7 kt (USGS historical series, as reported) USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics)
World production, 2021 (historical series)
2.4 Mt USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics)
Largest end use, 2025
Electric vehicles: 62% of 275 kt total demand IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 (CC BY 4.0)
Demand outlook, IEA STEPS 2030
476 kt (+73% on 2025) IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 (CC BY 4.0)
Largest trade flow, 2024
Australia → China, $3.0 bn (HS 253090, Other mineral substances n.e.s.); world trade $5.9 bn CEPII BACI trade database
Export controls
Zimbabwe (export prohibition)

Sources

USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · USGS Data Series 140 (historical statistics) · IEA Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 (CC BY 4.0) · CEPII BACI trade database · government critical mineral lists. Figures are rounded; country names follow our atlas.

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Lithium storyWhere lithium is minedCritical mineral listsAll infographics