Market overview
The global rare earth elements market is worth USD 8.2 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 19.4 bn by 2036, growing at a 9.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Neodymium and praseodymium is the largest by element segment.
| Scope | Rare earth elements mined and refined into oxides, carbonates, chlorides and metals, including light (neodymium, praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum) and heavy (dysprosium, terbium, yttrium) elements. Finished magnets excluded. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 7.5 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 8.2 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 19.4 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 9.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 427 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 830 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 19,120 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Rare Earth Elements market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 8.2 bn |
| 2027 | USD 8.9 bn |
| 2028 | USD 9.7 bn |
| 2029 | USD 10.6 bn |
| 2030 | USD 11.5 bn |
| 2031 | USD 12.6 bn |
| 2032 | USD 13.7 bn |
| 2033 | USD 14.9 bn |
| 2034 | USD 16.3 bn |
| 2035 | USD 17.8 bn |
| 2036 | USD 19.4 bn |
Rare Earth Elements market segmentation
By element
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neodymium and praseodymium | 62.0% | 67.9% | USD 5.1 bn | 10.0% |
| Cerium and lanthanum | 12.0% | 8.2% | USD 981 mn | 5.0% |
| Dysprosium and terbium | 10.0% | 10.0% | USD 818 mn | 9.0% |
| Yttrium and others | 16.0% | 13.9% | USD 1.3 bn | 7.5% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent magnets | 58.0% | 69.1% | USD 4.7 bn | 10.9% |
| Catalysts | 10.0% | 7.1% | USD 818 mn | 5.4% |
| Glass and polishing | 8.0% | 5.2% | USD 654 mn | 4.4% |
| Metallurgy and alloys | 8.0% | 6.0% | USD 654 mn | 5.9% |
| Batteries and phosphors | 8.0% | 6.3% | USD 654 mn | 6.4% |
| Ceramics and others | 8.0% | 6.3% | USD 654 mn | 6.4% |
By product form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxides | 52.0% | 49.0% | USD 4.3 bn | 8.3% |
| Metals and alloys | 24.0% | 27.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 10.3% |
| Carbonates and chlorides | 14.0% | 12.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 7.3% |
| Mixed concentrates | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 818 mn | 11.0% |
By processing stage
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mined concentrate | 18.0% | 15.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 7.0% |
| Separated oxides | 50.0% | 47.0% | USD 4.1 bn | 8.3% |
| Refined metal | 20.0% | 22.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 10.0% |
| Magnet alloys and finished materials | 12.0% | 16.0% | USD 981 mn | 12.2% |
By customer type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnet makers | 38.0% | 42.0% | USD 3.1 bn | 10.1% |
| Catalyst and chemical firms | 18.0% | 15.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 7.0% |
| Glass and ceramics firms | 16.0% | 13.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 6.8% |
| Battery and alloy makers | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 10.3% |
| Trading houses | 12.0% | 12.0% | USD 981 mn | 9.0% |
Top 25 countries for rare earth elements by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 93.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 98.9%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 4.5 bn | 55.0% | USD 10.7 bn | 9.1% |
| 2 | Japan | USD 736 mn | 9.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 7.0% |
| 3 | United States | USD 654 mn | 8.0% | USD 1.7 bn | 10.0% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 409 mn | 5.0% | USD 890 mn | 8.1% |
| 5 | South Korea | USD 409 mn | 5.0% | USD 890 mn | 8.1% |
| 6 | India | USD 245 mn | 3.0% | USD 774 mn | 12.2% |
| 7 | Vietnam | USD 204 mn | 2.5% | USD 639 mn | 12.1% |
| 8 | Taiwan | USD 164 mn | 2.0% | USD 329 mn | 7.2% |
| 9 | France | USD 164 mn | 2.0% | USD 348 mn | 7.9% |
| 10 | Italy | USD 123 mn | 1.5% | USD 252 mn | 7.5% |
| 11 | Indonesia | USD 75 mn | 0.9% | USD 192 mn | 9.8% |
| 12 | Thailand | USD 65 mn | 0.8% | USD 164 mn | 9.8% |
| 13 | Malaysia | USD 56 mn | 0.7% | USD 128 mn | 8.7% |
| 14 | Netherlands | USD 47 mn | 0.6% | USD 110 mn | 8.8% |
| 15 | Canada | USD 41 mn | 0.5% | USD 95 mn | 8.8% |
| 16 | Australia | USD 35 mn | 0.4% | USD 91 mn | 10.0% |
| 17 | Russia | USD 30 mn | 0.4% | USD 70 mn | 8.7% |
| 18 | Mexico | USD 26 mn | 0.3% | USD 60 mn | 8.7% |
| 19 | Poland | USD 22 mn | 0.3% | USD 52 mn | 9.0% |
| 20 | United Kingdom | USD 20 mn | 0.2% | USD 45 mn | 8.5% |
| 21 | Turkey | USD 16 mn | 0.2% | USD 39 mn | 9.0% |
| 22 | Brazil | USD 14 mn | 0.2% | USD 33 mn | 9.0% |
| 23 | Austria | USD 12 mn | 0.1% | USD 29 mn | 9.0% |
| 24 | Singapore | USD 11 mn | 0.1% | USD 25 mn | 9.0% |
| 25 | Czech Republic | USD 9.0 mn | 0.1% | USD 21 mn | 9.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 93 mn | 1.1% | USD 201 mn | 8.0% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- China Northern Rare Earth
- China Rare Earth Group
- Lynas Rare Earths
- MP Materials
- Xiamen Tungsten
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Iluka Resources
- Neo Performance Materials
- Shenghe Resources
- Solvay
- Treibacher Industrie
- Shin-Etsu Chemical
- Santoku Corporation
- Ionic Rare Earths
- Rainbow Rare Earths
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Energy Fuels
- Arafura Rare Earths
- Indian Rare Earths
- Aclara Resources
- Ucore Rare Metals
- Mkango Resources
- Pensana
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the rare earth elements market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 9.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by element, by end use, by product form, by processing stage, by customer type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the rare earth elements market?
The global rare earth elements market is estimated at USD 7.5 bn in 2025 and USD 8.2 bn in 2026.
How fast will the rare earth elements market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 19.4 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 9.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 11.2 bn.
Which country is the largest market for rare earth elements?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 4.5 bn in 2026, 55.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 72.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 12.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which rare earth elements segment is largest?
In the by element split, Neodymium and praseodymium is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading rare earth elements companies?
Global leaders include China Northern Rare Earth, China Rare Earth Group, Lynas Rare Earths, MP Materials.
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