Lithium is a critical component in many industries, including pharmaceuticals, optics, ceramics, and glass. But it’s best known for its use in batteries. Most rechargeable batteries in mobile phones, laptops, and consumer electronics are made from lithium-ion chemistries(The World’s Lithium Is Mined in Just a Handful of Countries, n.d.).
Below are some dominant countries producing lithium:
- Australia
Lithium production: 88,000 metric tons
In 2024, Australia produced 88,000 metric tons of lithium, making it the world’s largest producer of lithium. Although the country tops the list, year-over-year production decreased just over 4 percent from 91,700 MT in 2023 to 88,000 MT in 2024.
It’s likely the country’s lithium production declined in 2024 because of weaker demand in the EV space, which in turn pushed lithium prices lower.
- Chile
Lithium production: 49,000 metric tons
Chilean lithium production topped 49,000 metric tons in 2024. Lithium miners in Chile have steadily increased the nation’s output by 127% since 2020 when production was 21,500 MT.
Chile’s year-over-year growth has positioned it as the second top lithium producer in the world. Unlike Australia, where lithium is extracted from hard-rock mines, Chile’s lithium is found in lithium brine deposits.
- China
Lithium production: 41,000 metric tons
China produced 41,000 metric tons of lithium in 2024, earning it the third spot on the top producing countries list. The Asian country saw its lithium supply grow by nearly 15 percent year-on-year, from 35,700 in 2023 to 41,000 in 2024.
China is the largest consumer of lithium due to its electronics manufacturing and EV industries. It also produces more than two-thirds of the world’s lithium-ion batteries and controls most of the world’s lithium-processing facilities. China currently gets most of its lithium from Australia, but it is looking to expand its capacity.
- Zimbabwe
Lithium production: 22,000 metric tons
In 2024 Zimbabwe’s lithium production ballooned to 22,000 metric tons, an exponential increase from 2022’s 800 MT. Year-over-year lithium output rose 47 percent between 2023 and 2024, from 14,900 MT to 22,000 MT.
Total reserves in Zimbabwe have also seen growth climbing from 310,000 MT in 2023 to 480,000 MT as per the US Geological Survey.
- Argentina
Lithium production: 18,000 metric tons
Argentina’s annual lithium production grew significantly in 2024, totaling 18,000 metric tons. Year-over-year lithium production increased by more than 100 percent from 8,630 MT in 2023.
It’s well known that Bolivia, Argentina and Chile make up the Lithium Triangle. Argentina’s Salar del Hombre Muerto district hosts significant lithium brines, and its reserves – 4 million MT – are enough for at least 75 years(success, n.d.).
Reference:
-
success, Y. trusted source for investing. (n.d.). Top 9 Lithium-producing Countries | INN. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/battery-metals-investing/lithium-investing/lithium-production-by-country/
-
The world’s lithium is mined in just a handful of countries. (n.d.). Our World in Data. Retrieved July 10, 2025, from https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/the-worlds-lithium-is-mined-in-just-a-handful-of-countries
