UNIDO Statistics presents this report on the observed growth of world manufacturing production in the fourth quarter of 2016. The quarterly growth estimates are based on the indices of industrial production. Reports on earlier quarters are available on UNIDO’s website. Interested users can access methodological documents on the estimation procedure of annual growth rates and a compilation of quarterly indices on the statistical web pages of UNIDO’s website.

Major findings

• World manufacturing output rose by 2.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the same period of the previous year, which represents some improvement since the beginning of the year 2016. The manufacturing output growth was estimated at 1.4 per cent in industrialized economies, and 4.4 per cent in developing and emerging industrial economies.
• Growth in industrialized economies was characterized by a reversal of growth trend in East Asia, a healthy growth momentum in Europe and an overall slowdown in North America.
• Asian economies maintained a relatively higher growth rate at 5.5 per cent. According to UNIDO estimates, other developing regions’ production slightly decreased compared to the same period of 2015: by 1.0 per cent in Latin America and 0.5 per cent in Africa.
• In terms of industry-wide performance, high and medium-high manufacturing industries held top positions. The manufacture of computers, electronics and optical products grew by 6.3 per cent. By contrast, the worldwide production of tobacco has dropped by 5.8 per cent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statistics for Quarter IV, 2016