Fertilizer consumption in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Fertilizer consumption was 351.7% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Fertilizer consumption in Least developed countries, 1961–2023
Source: FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of fertilizer production.
Analysis
In 2023, fertilizer consumption in Least developed countries stood at 351.7%.
That represents a change of down 28.0% on the previous year and down 6.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer consumption in Least developed countries peaked at 653.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 90.0%, in 1962.
That places Least developed countries 9th out of 44 groups with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fertilizer consumption in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | % of fertilizer production | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 289.6% | — |
| 1962 | 90.0% | -68.9% |
| 1963 | 110.7% | +23.0% |
| 1964 | 126.1% | +13.9% |
| 1965 | 124.4% | -1.3% |
| 1966 | 170.2% | +36.7% |
| 1967 | 212.3% | +24.8% |
| 1968 | 233.1% | +9.8% |
| 1969 | 239.9% | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 171.1% | -28.7% |
| 1971 | 253.6% | +48.3% |
| 1972 | 166.9% | -34.2% |
| 1973 | 146.5% | -12.2% |
| 1974 | 204.5% | +39.6% |
| 1975 | 164.0% | -19.8% |
| 1976 | 168.3% | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 221.0% | +31.3% |
| 1978 | 188.3% | -14.8% |
| 1979 | 186.7% | -0.9% |
| 1980 | 201.1% | +7.7% |
| 1981 | 193.6% | -3.7% |
| 1982 | 211.9% | +9.4% |
| 1983 | 168.8% | -20.3% |
| 1984 | 169.0% | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 140.5% | -16.8% |
| 1986 | 138.7% | -1.3% |
| 1987 | 116.8% | -15.8% |
| 1988 | 112.1% | -4.0% |
| 1989 | 124.8% | +11.4% |
| 1990 | 129.8% | +4.0% |
| 1991 | 128.4% | -1.1% |
| 1992 | 109.9% | -14.4% |
| 1993 | 99.5% | -9.4% |
| 1994 | 118.7% | +19.3% |
| 1995 | 124.7% | +5.0% |
| 1996 | 130.1% | +4.3% |
| 1997 | 133.7% | +2.8% |
| 1998 | 120.1% | -10.1% |
| 1999 | 132.5% | +10.3% |
| 2000 | 127.1% | -4.1% |
| 2001 | 124.9% | -1.7% |
| 2002 | 147.2% | +17.8% |
| 2003 | 152.9% | +3.9% |
| 2004 | 175.6% | +14.8% |
| 2005 | 183.7% | +4.6% |
| 2006 | 210.6% | +14.7% |
| 2007 | 197.3% | -6.3% |
| 2008 | 242.8% | +23.1% |
| 2009 | 292.5% | +20.5% |
| 2010 | 364.2% | +24.5% |
| 2011 | 479.0% | +31.5% |
| 2012 | 440.1% | -8.1% |
| 2013 | 376.9% | -14.4% |
| 2014 | 442.9% | +17.5% |
| 2015 | 370.6% | -16.3% |
| 2016 | 400.9% | +8.2% |
| 2017 | 568.5% | +41.8% |
| 2018 | 612.5% | +7.7% |
| 2019 | 619.2% | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 653.6% | +5.5% |
| 2021 | 564.3% | -13.7% |
| 2022 | 488.4% | -13.4% |
| 2023 | 351.7% | -28.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 177.4% | 90.0% | 289.6% | 9 |
| 1970s | 187.1% | 146.5% | 253.6% | 10 |
| 1980s | 157.7% | 112.1% | 211.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 122.7% | 99.5% | 133.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 185.5% | 124.9% | 292.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 467.5% | 364.2% | 619.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 514.5% | 351.7% | 653.6% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
More agriculture & rural data for Least developed countries
- Rural population, per capita 0.6336 units per person (2025)
- Rural population 769.36 million (2025)
- Rural population growth 1.5% (2025)
- Rural population 63.4% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.2% (2019)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 3.1% (2023)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 277.75 current US$ per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 8.67 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.2039 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 337.24 billion current US$ (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer consumption in Least developed countries?
- Fertilizer consumption in Least developed countries was 351.7% in 2023, according to FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest fertilizer consumption recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 653.6% in 2020.
- What is the lowest fertilizer consumption recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 90.0% in 1962.
- How does Least developed countries rank for fertilizer consumption?
- Least developed countries ranks 9th out of 44 groups with data for 2023.
- Is fertilizer consumption rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Least developed countries data come from?
- The figures come from FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Fertilizer consumption (% of fertilizer production). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Fertilizer consumption measures the quantity of plant nutrients and is calculated as production plus imports minus exports. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers (including ground rock phosphate). Traditional nutrients--animal and plant manures--are not included. Because some chemical compounds used for fertilizers have other industrial applications, the consumption data may overstate the quantity available for crops. Fertilizer consumption as a share of production shows the agriculture sector's vulnerability to import and energy price fluctuation. Most fertilizers that are commonly used in agriculture contain the three basic plant nutrients-nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Some fertilizers also contain certain micronutrients such as zinc and other metals that are necessary for plant growth. Materials that are applied to the land primarily to enhance soil characteristics (rather than as plant food) are commonly referred to as soil amendments.