The world's leading industrial nation

BRITAIN: BIRTHPLACE OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Before the advent of the Industrial Revolution, most people resided in small, rural communities where their daily existences revolved around farming. Life for the average person was difficult, as incomes were meager, and malnourishment and disease were common. People produced the bulk of their own food, clothing, furniture and tools. Most manufacturing was done in homes or small, rural shops, using hand tools or simple machines.

A number of factors contributed to Britain’s role as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. For one, it had great deposits of coal and iron ore, which proved essential for industrialization. Additionally, Britain was a politically stable society, as well as the world’s leading colonial power, which meant its colonies could serve as a source for raw materials, as well as a marketplace for manufactured goods.

As demand for British goods increased, merchants needed more cost-effective methods of production, which led to the rise of mechanization and the factory system.

INDUSTRIALIZATION MOVES BEYOND BRITAIN

The British enacted legislation to prohibit the export of their technology and skilled workers; however, they had little success in this regard. Industrialization spread from Britain to other European countries, including Belgium, France and Germany, and to the United States. By the mid-19th century, industrialization was well-established throughout the western part of Europe and America’s northeastern region. By the early 20th century, the U.S. had become the world’s leading industrial nation.

Top 10 Nations Ranked by the 2013 Index

1. China 

Manufacturing highlights

• China is the largest exporter and the second largest importer in the world
• China became the largest manufacturing country in the world, overtaking the U.S. in 2010
• China's exports are primarily in the toys, apparel and electrical and electronics industries. China is the world's largest manufacturer of toy products, with a 70 percent share

2. Germany

Manufacturing highlights

• With only about 1.2 percent of the world population, Germany is the world's fourth largest producer and the largest exporter of automobiles (cars and commercial vehicles)
• Germany is the second largest manufacturing exporter after China, with manufacturing exports growing 2.7 times between 2000 and 2011
• Germany(s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), called the Mittlestand, include three million companies and employ around 70 percent of the country's workforce

3. United States of America

Manufacturing highlights

• U.S. remains the most heavily invested-into country in the world with FDI stock inflow being $3.5 trillion in 2011
• Second largest manufacturer of automobiles (cars and commercial vehicles) in 2011
• U.S. has the sixth largest proven natural gas reserves. Low cost shale gas availability gives U.S. manufacturers a competitive edge in the global markets
• U.S. share of the world's total GDP (PPP) is likely to fall to 18.4 percent by 2015 due to China's rapid economic growth
• Manufacturing employment in the U.S. declined from 17.6 million jobs in 1998 to just 11.6 million jobs at the end of 2010
• Largest producer of ethanol biofuel. Along with Brazil, it accounted for 87 percent of ethanol production in 2011.

4.India
Manufacturing highlights

• India posted a real GDP growth of 6.9 percent in 2011. The economy grew at a 5-year CAGR of 7.8 percent till 2011, which is among the highest among major emerging nations
• India's manufacturing exports grew at a CAGR of 17.1 percent between 2006 and 2011
• India's largest manufacturing exports are textile goods, engineering goods and chemicals
• India is the sixth largest manufacturer of automobiles (cars and commercial vehicles) in the world in 2011.

5.South Korea
Manufacturing highlights

• South Korea leads globally in the manufacturing of LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays), memory chips and smart phones
• It is the world's largest shipbuilder and 5th largest globally in automobile manufacturing
• Its most important exports are finished products such electronics, semiconductors, LCD panels, mobile phones, computers accessories, television sets and motor vehicles.

6.Taiwan
Manufacturing highlights

• Taiwan has a large electronics industry that has been the primary exporter and driver of the country's economy
• Taiwan began as a manufacturing base for foreign semiconductor companies but has now evolved into a global development and manufacturing center.

7.Canada
Manufacturing highlights

• Canada has an established manufacturing industry and exports motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment and electronics
• Canadian industry relies heavily on resource-based manufacturing
• Canada is one of the few developed countries that is a net energy exporter.

8.Brazil

Manufacturing highlights

• Brazil is a growing economy with footwear, autos, automo
• tive parts and machinery as its major manufacturing exports
• Brazil is the world's second largest producer of ethanol fuel and until 2010, it was the largest exporter.

9.Brazil
Manufacturing highlights

• Brazil is a growing economy with footwear, autos, automotive parts and machinery as its major manufacturing exports
• Brazil is the world's second largest producer of ethanol fuel and until 2010, it was the largest exporter.

10.Japan
Manufacturing highlights

• Japan is one of the largest economies in the world despite lacking any significant natural resources. Its manufacturing industry has been the primary driver during its period of rapid growth post the second world war
• Japan's primary exports are consumer electronics, automobiles and semiconductors
• Japan has traditionally been ahead of the rest of the world in automation and implementation of best practices in manufacturing operations.