The relationship between copper consumption and global population growth from 1900 to 2023 illustrates how copper demand has evolved alongside human development, industrialization, and technological advances.
1900-1950: Industrialization and Electrification
Population Growth: Global population grew from 1.6 billion to around 2.5 billion.
Copper Demand: Consumption expanded from 500,000 metric tons to about 2 million metric tons annually, primarily driven by the need for electrical wiring, motors, and infrastructure like railways.
1950-2000: Post-War Expansion and Globalization
Population Boom: The global population nearly doubled to 6.1 billion.
Copper Use: Demand surged to about 15 million metric tons annually due to post-war economic recovery, mass infrastructure development, and the rise of consumer electronics and telecommunications.
2000-2023: The Green Energy Revolution
Population Surge: The population grew to over 8 billion.
Record Copper Demand: Consumption rose to over 25 million metric tons annually. Urbanization, China’s rapid industrial growth, and the global shift towards renewable energy technologies fueled this increase. Copper became essential for electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and wind turbines, which are critical to the decarbonization efforts.
Key Insights
Copper’s Role: While global population increased fivefold from 1900 to 2023, copper consumption increased fiftyfold, showcasing the metal's growing significance in modern economies.
Technological Advances: Technological innovations in electricity, communications, and green energy have driven a sharp rise in per capita copper consumption, far outpacing population growth.
As the world continues to embrace new technologies, copper's role is likely to expand further, making it a cornerstone of the global energy transition.
Source: ISCG & worldometers.info/world-population/world-population-by-year/
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