Rare Earths Reserves by Country
China has reported 44,000,000 metric tons in every year shown, while the countries behind it have followed very different paths. The source for the figures is the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019-2026, which report estimated quantities that can be economically extracted. Reserves reflect what could economically be extracted, rather than what was mined in a given year. The table covers 13 countries, with 11 reported 2025 values, and listed reserves totaled 85,290,000 metric tons in 2025.
China (44,000,000 metric tons) leads Brazil (21,000,000) by more than two to one. Australia (6,300,000) is third, followed by Russia (3,800,000) and Vietnam (3,500,000); only 2,800,000 separates the three. USGS puts the world total above 85,000,000 metric tons. Australia rose, Malaysia returned, and India and Thailand had no reported 2025 reserves. India reported 6,900,000 metric tons in every year from 2018 through 2024, then reported no reserve value for 2025. Its last figure exceeded Australia's current 6,300,000, so India's absence changed the middle of the ranking. Thailand also had no reported reserve value for 2025, after 4,500 metric tons in 2023 and 2024. Russia reported 12,000,000 metric tons in 2020, rose to 21,000,000 for 2021-2022, then fell to 10,000,000 for 2023 and 3,800,000 for 2024 — a loss of 17,200,000, about 82% of its peak, across two steps. It remained at 3,800,000 in 2025, ranking fourth after China, Brazil and Australia. Australia rose from 3,400,000 metric tons in 2018 to 6,300,000 in 2025, adding 600,000 (+10.5%) in the latest year — the only increase among eleven reporters. Malaysia returned at 710,000 in 2025 after reporting 30,000 in 2018. China, meanwhile, has reported exactly 44,000,000 metric tons in every year shown. Figures come from the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019-2026, with 2025 values estimated. Units are metric tons, exactly as reported. USGS's rare-earths reserve figures include lanthanides and yttrium but exclude most scandium. Empty means the source reported no value; 0 means the source reports zero. The source’s world total, where published, may be rounded, approximate, a lower bound, or a textual estimate, so shares are computed against the sum of the listed countries. Reserves and production are different measures and should not be combined without equalizing units.
Rare Earths Reserves by Country
Year
1
44,000,000
2025
2
21,000,000
2025
3
6,900,000
2024
4
6,300,000
2025
5
3,800,000
2025
6
3,500,000
2025
7
1,900,000
2025
8
1,500,000
2025
9
890,000
2025
10
860,000
2025
11
830,000
2025
12
710,000
2025
13
4,500
2024
India has no reported reserves for 2025
Russia's sharp decline
Australia rises as Malaysia returns
Rare Earths Reserves by Country
#
1
44,000,000
44,000,000
44,000,000
44,000,000
44,000,000
44,000,000
44,000,000
44,000,000
2
22,000,000
22,000,000
21,000,000
21,000,000
21,000,000
21,000,000
21,000,000
21,000,000
3
12,000,000
12,000,000
12,000,000
21,000,000
21,000,000
10,000,000
3,800,000
3,800,000
4
6,900,000
6,900,000
6,900,000
6,900,000
6,900,000
6,900,000
6,900,000
-
5
3,400,000
3,300,000
4,100,000
4,000,000
4,200,000
5,700,000
5,700,000
6,300,000
6
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
3,500,000
3,500,000
7
-
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
8
1,400,000
1,400,000
1,500,000
1,800,000
2,300,000
1,800,000
1,900,000
1,900,000
9
-
890,000
890,000
890,000
890,000
890,000
890,000
890,000
10
-
830,000
830,000
830,000
830,000
830,000
830,000
830,000
11
-
790,000
790,000
790,000
790,000
790,000
860,000
860,000
12
30,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
710,000
13
-
-
-
-
-
4,500
4,500
-
Methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
What are rare earths reserves?
Rare earths reserves are estimated quantities of rare earths that can be economically extracted under applicable conditions, in metric tons. Production measures the amount mined in a year.
Which countries hold the most rare earths reserves?
China (44,000,000 metric tons) and Brazil (21,000,000) reported the largest 2025 values, followed by Australia (6,300,000).
Why does India show no 2025 value?
India reported 6,900,000 metric tons in every year from 2018 through 2024 and reported no reserve value for 2025. An empty cell means not reported, not zero.
How much have Australia's reserves increased since 2018?
Australia's reported reserves rose from 3,400,000 metric tons in 2018 to 6,300,000 in 2025, an increase of 2,900,000 (+85.3%).
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
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Updated: 15.09.2026https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/mineral-commodity-summaries
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