Packaging accounted for 31 percent of global plastics use in 2019. The packaging sector is expected to remain the largest end-user of plastics over the coming decades. Building and construction was the second-largest end-use for plastics in 2019, accounting for roughly 17 percent of global plastics use.
Distribution of plastic consumption worldwide in 2019, by application
Adjust the presentation of the statistic and data points.
Share the statistic on social media channels or embed the statistic in your
website using "Embed Code", where available.
Cite this statistic and select one of the following formats: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA & Bluebook.
Print the statistic including description and metadata.
Chart type
Distribution of plastic consumption worldwide in 2019, by application
Share this statistic
You have no right to use this feature.
Make sure to contact us if you are interested in scientific citation.
You can upgrade your account to enable this functionality for all statistics.
This feature is not available with your current account.Request access
Based on total consumption of 459.7 million metric tons
Supplementary notes
*Other includes marine coatings, industrial/machinery, personal care products, road markings, and other Share figures were calculated by Statista May not total 100% due to rounding
Citation formats
Access all statistics starting from $2,388 USD yearly
*
* For commercial use only
Basic Account
For single users
$0 USD
Always free
Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
OECD. (March 6, 2022). Distribution of plastic consumption worldwide in 2019, by application [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1002055/plastic-consumption-share-worldwide-by-application/
OECD. "Distribution of plastic consumption worldwide in 2019, by application." Chart. March 6, 2022. Statista. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1002055/plastic-consumption-share-worldwide-by-application/
OECD. (2022). Distribution of plastic consumption worldwide in 2019, by application. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 28, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1002055/plastic-consumption-share-worldwide-by-application/
OECD. "Distribution of Plastic Consumption Worldwide in 2019, by Application." Statista, Statista Inc., 6 Mar 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1002055/plastic-consumption-share-worldwide-by-application/
OECD, Distribution of plastic consumption worldwide in 2019, by application Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1002055/plastic-consumption-share-worldwide-by-application/ (last visited April 28, 2025)
Distribution of plastic consumption worldwide in 2019, by application [Graph], OECD, March 6, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1002055/plastic-consumption-share-worldwide-by-application/
Profit from additional features with an Employee Account
Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites.
Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.