The majority of the world's silver supply is used for industrial fabrication, with greatest demand for use in electrical and electronics applications, given silver is the most electrically conductive of all metals. Demand for silver has been growing dramatically for photovoltaic applications, with the increase in global solar panel installations. Silver also has antimicrobial qualities, and silver nanoparticles are an effective tool for killing disease-causing bacteria, which make the metal useful in a variety of medical applications. The main sources of demand are:

Global mine production fell for the 4th consecutive year in 2019. Most of the silver produced does not come from primary silver mines, but rather as a by-product of mines that primarily produce copper, gold or other metals. The main sources of supply are: