Caribbean small states: Fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land)

Key figures

What the numbers say

In 2023, Caribbean small states' fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land) rose 84.63 on 2022 (from 149.14 to 233.76).

Across the 30 yearly changes before that (1993 to 2022), the average change was −0.16 and a typical year strayed about 42.63 from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 2.0 standard deviations above that average, so it was larger than a typical year, though not out of the range seen before.

On record, the biggest yearly rise was 95.4 in 2008 and the biggest yearly fall was 103.43 in 2009. The numbers show how large and when, not why; for the cause, look at what happened in that country in those years.

From 2014 to 2023 there is no clear straight-line trend: a straight line explains 18% of the movement over 10 observed years, so the value is moving around more than it is heading anywhere.

Worked out from the yearly values above. How the checks work: standard deviation, z-scores and straight-line trends.

How it compares

See how every economy compares in the full ranking.

What this measures

Fertilizer consumption measures the quantity of plant nutrients used per unit of arable land. Fertilizer products cover nitrogenous, potash, and phosphate fertilizers (including ground rock phosphate). Traditional nutrients--animal and plant manures--are not included. For the purpose of data dissemination, FAO has adopted the concept of a calendar year (January to December). Some countries compile fertilizer data on a calendar year basis, while others are on a split-year basis. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.

Limitations: The FAO has revised the time series for fertilizer consumption and irrigation for 2002 onward. FAO collects fertilizer statistics for production, imports, exports, and consumption through the new FAO fertilizer resources questionnaire. In the previous release, the data were based on total consumption of fertilizers, but the data in the recent release are based on the nutrients in fertilizers. Some countries compile fertilizer data on a calendar year basis, while others compile on a crop year basis (July-June).

Regional and income-group figures are computed by the World Bank as a weighted average.

All 63 values

Fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land) in nearby economies

• Afghanistan — 17.98 (2024)
• Algeria — 20.67 (2024)
• Bahrain — 769.05 (2024)
• Djibouti — 30.96 (2024)
• Egypt, Arab Rep. — 597.78 (2024)
• Iran, Islamic Rep. — 68.29 (2024)
• Iraq — 51.38 (2024)
• Israel — 246.9 (2024)
• Jordan — 111.94 (2024)

More environment data for Caribbean small states

• Rural population — 2.27 million (2025)
• Rural population (% of total population) — 49.9% (2025)
• Urban population — 2.28 million (2025)
• Urban population (% of total population) — 50.1% (2025)
• Aquaculture production (metric tons) — 2,361 (2024)
• Capture fisheries production (metric tons) — 310,432 (2024)
• Total fisheries production (metric tons) — 312,793 (2024)
• Rural population growth (annual %) — 0.38% (2025)
• Urban population growth (annual %) — 0.39% (2025)

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Questions people ask

What is Caribbean small states's fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land)?

233.76 in 2023, according to the World Bank (World Development Indicators).

How has it changed since 1961?

It is up 163.27% from 88.79 in 1961 (1.57% a year on average, compounded). The highest value was 261.57 in 2016 and the lowest 88.79 in 1961.

Is the latest change in fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land) unusual for Caribbean small states?

In 2023, Caribbean small states' fertilizer consumption (kilograms per hectare of arable land) rose 84.63 on 2022 (from 149.14 to 233.76). Across the 30 yearly changes before that (1993 to 2022), the average change was −0.16 and a typical year strayed about 42.63 from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 2.0 standard deviations above that average, so it was larger than a typical year, though not out of the range seen before.

Source

World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator AG.CON.FERT.ZS, licensed CC BY 4.0. Original source: FAO electronic files and web site, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Figures are fetched from the World Bank API and refreshed monthly; see the series on data.worldbank.org. The full definition and method are in the World Bank's metadata glossary. Comparisons use the same World Bank release.

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