EconomyAug 27, 2024
Is U.S. Manufacturing in Decline? 🏭
@visualcapitalist
What We’re Showing
This graphic shows the change in the number of manufacturing firms by sector between 2002 and 2022, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Key Takeaways
- The number of U.S. manufacturing firms has shrunk by 14% in 20 years, with the steepest drops in apparel, textile mills, and printing sectors
- U.S. manufacturing employment peaked in 1979 at 19.5 million employees, and has since fallen to about 13 million as of January 2023
- In 2010, the U.S. lost its position as the world’s leading manufacturer, with its production falling $2.4 trillion behind China's in 2022
- Beverages and tobacco is one of three sectors with positive growth, driven by a boom in craft seltzer waters, kombuchas, and pre-mixed cocktails
Dataset
| Sector | Change in Number of Establishments | Change 2002-2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage and Tobacco | 9,627 | 351% |
| Food | 5,066 | 20% |
| Chemical | 1,636 | 13% |
| Petroleum and Coal Products | -124 | -6% |
| Leather and Allied Products | -331 | -24% |
| Transportation Equipment | -457 | -4% |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliances, and Components | -895 | -14% |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Products | -1,002 | -6% |
| Primary Metals | -1,472 | -29% |
| Paper | -1,616 | -30% |
| Textile Mills | -1,939 | -52% |
| Wood Products | -2,275 | -14% |
| Textile Product Mills | -2,329 | -31% |
| Plastics and Rubber Products | -3,510 | -23% |
| Computer and Electronic Products | -3,792 | -25% |
| Fabricated Metal Products | -5,128 | -9% |
| Machinery | -5,458 | -20% |
| Apparel | -5,932 | -56% |
| Miscellaneous | -6,027 | -20% |
| Furniture and Related Products | -6,342 | -30% |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | -12,798 | -36% |
| Total | -45,098 | -14% |
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