- Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes.
Middle East Natural Gas Consumption was 577.7 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 2% on 2022. The Natural Gas Consumption dataset of the Middle East from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of regional natural gas demand patterns, highlighting consumption trends, market developments, and changes across the natural gas sector. Measured in billion cubic metres (bcm), the dataset represents the total annual volume of natural gas consumed across major economies in the region.
Middle East Natural Gas Consumption moved from 479.3 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 577.7 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+20.5%), an average of +2.4% a year. The series high was 577.7 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the low 479.3 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 98.40 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was +4.5% in 2016.
Within Middle East, Saudi Arabia has the highest value in 2023 at 114.1 Billion Cubic Metres, 19.8% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Billion Cubic Metres. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
By region
Billion Cubic Metres, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 577.7 | +2% |
| 2022 | 566.1 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 549.1 | −0.7% |
| 2020 | 552.9 | +3.4% |
| 2019 | 534.8 | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 517.9 | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 509.8 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 501.1 | +4.5% |
| 2015 Trough | 479.3 | — |
Data definition
Natural Gas Consumption — - Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the demand for natural gas across electricity generation, industrial operations, residential and commercial heating, transportation, and other applications. This indicator reflects a country's dependence on natural gas as an energy source, the development of gas infrastructure, and overall energy demand patterns. Natural Gas Consumption is widely used to evaluate energy security, fuel diversification, economic activity, and trends in natural gas utilization across countries.
The data includes domestic consumption of natural gas supplied through pipeline networks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, and domestically produced gas used across various sectors. It covers natural gas consumption for electricity and heat generation, industrial processes, manufacturing, residential heating, commercial applications, transportation, and other energy uses. It may also include non-energy uses such as natural gas used as a feedstock in petrochemical and fertilizer production where accounted for within national energy balances. The indicator represents total natural gas demand within a country regardless of whether the gas is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, gas utilities, government reports, and standardized international energy databases to enable consistent comparison of consumption trends.
The data excludes natural gas production, reserves, pipeline transmission volumes, storage inventories, and gas losses during extraction, processing, transmission, and distribution unless specifically included in national accounting methodologies. It does not include consumption of natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, coal, refined petroleum products, renewable gases, or synthetic gases unless classified as natural gas within reporting frameworks. The indicator does not measure energy efficiency, affordability, access to gas services, or the environmental impact associated with natural gas use. Differences in national reporting practices, gas quality standards, conversion factors, and estimation methods may result in minor variations in reported consumption values across countries.
Natural Gas Consumption — - Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the demand for natural gas across electricity generation, industrial operations, residential and commercial heating, transportation, and other applications. This indicator reflects a country's dependence on natural gas as an energy source, the development of gas infrastructure, and overall energy demand patterns. Natural Gas Consumption is widely used to evaluate energy security, fuel diversification, economic activity, and trends in natural gas utilization across countries.
It serves as an important indicator of electricity generation demand, industrial activity, petrochemical production, and the role of natural gas within the Middle East’s energy system.
The Middle East consumed 479.3 bcm of natural gas in 2015, increasing to 501.1 bcm in 2016 and 509.8 bcm in 2017. Consumption continued rising to 517.9 bcm in 2018 and 534.8 bcm in 2019. Regional demand increased to 552.9 bcm in 2020 before declining slightly to 549.1 bcm in 2021. Natural gas consumption rose to 566.1 bcm in 2022 and reached a review-period high of 577.7 bcm in 2023. Saudi Arabia remained the region's largest consumer throughout the review period, while the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Israel, and other countries also contributed significantly to regional demand.
Overall, the dataset indicates a steady upward trend in the Middle East’s natural gas consumption with only minor fluctuations. Rising demand was supported by expanding gas-fired electricity generation, industrial growth, petrochemical production, economic development, and increasing domestic energy requirements. Abundant natural gas resources and continued infrastructure investments further strengthened regional gas utilization.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating the Middle East’s natural gas demand outlook, analyzing regional consumption dynamics, and assessing future energy requirements. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring energy security, consumption trends, and the evolving role of natural gas across the Middle East.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
Definition- Natural Gas Consumption refers to the total amount of natural gas used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) and represents the demand for natural gas across electricity generation, industrial operations, residential and commercial heating, transportation, and other applications. This indicator reflects a country's dependence on natural gas as an energy source, the development of gas infrastructure, and overall energy demand patterns. Natural Gas Consumption is widely used to evaluate energy security, fuel diversification, economic activity, and trends in natural gas utilization across countries.
Middle East Natural Gas Consumption was 577.7 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 2% on 2022.
Middle East Natural Gas Consumption moved from 479.3 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 577.7 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+20.5%), an average of +2.4% a year. The series high was 577.7 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the low 479.3 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The highest value was 577.7 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the lowest was 479.3 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
Included: The data includes domestic consumption of natural gas supplied through pipeline networks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, and domestically produced gas used across various sectors. It covers natural gas consumption for electricity and heat generation, industrial processes, manufacturing, residential heating, commercial applications, transportation, and other energy uses. It may also include non-energy uses such as natural gas used as a feedstock in petrochemical and fertilizer production where accounted for within national energy balances. The indicator represents total natural gas demand within a country regardless of whether the gas is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, gas utilities, government reports, and standardized international energy databases to enable consistent comparison of consumption trends. Excluded: The data excludes natural gas production, reserves, pipeline transmission volumes, storage inventories, and gas losses during extraction, processing, transmission, and distribution unless specifically included in national accounting methodologies. It does not include consumption of natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, coal, refined petroleum products, renewable gases, or synthetic gases unless classified as natural gas within reporting frameworks. The indicator does not measure energy efficiency, affordability, access to gas services, or the environmental impact associated with natural gas use. Differences in national reporting practices, gas quality standards, conversion factors, and estimation methods may result in minor variations in reported consumption values across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.