Top Countries Dependent on Mining for Their Exports

What We’re Showing

This graphic ranks the most mining resource-dependent countries in the world, based on 2019–2021 averaged figures from UN Trade and Development.

What is Resource Dependency?

A country is considered resource dependent when over 60% of its exports are primary commodities. For this graphic we have only included countries where mineral, ores, and metals represent more than 60% of its total exports. Resource dependency can make a country vulnerable to economic shocks via price fluctuations.

Key Takeaways

• Around 90% of Botswana’s exports are concentrated in the diamond mining sector. It is also the top producer of raw, uncut diamonds in the world
• Of the top 10 countries whose exports are predominantly mining-based, seven are from Africa