以世界范围作为统计依据的钢铁消费量只是由1997年最高峰的六亿九千八百万吨(所有的数据都按公吨计量)下降了五百万吨。然而,这小小的缩减在1999年就能补回,并将在2000年再增长二千万公吨。 曾经预测,相比于1998年,在全世界的大多数地区1999年的钢铁消费量都要下降。但凭籍着预期在中国要增长一千一百万吨,和在韩国要增加七百万公吨,亚洲却正与这一总趋势背道而驰。 Steel consumption by world-wide basis is a mere 5 million tonnes, down from 698 million tonnes at the 1997 peak (all figures are in metric tonnes). However, this small reduction could be repaid in 1999 and an additional 20 million metric tons will be set in 2000. It has been predicted that steel consumption will decline in 1999 in most parts of the world compared to 1998. However, with the expected growth of 11 million tons in China and an additional seven million tons in South Korea, Asia is running counter to this general trend.