- 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.
South Africa Natural Gas Consumption was 4.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 9.3% on 2022. The Natural Gas Consumption dataset of South Africa from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s 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.
South Africa Natural Gas Consumption moved from 4.30 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 4.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+9.3%), an average of +1.1% a year. The series high was 4.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the low 3.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2016.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 1.00 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was −14% in 2016.
Among the 43 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 39 for 2023, behind U.S. (886.5 Billion Cubic Metres) and Russia (453.4 Billion Cubic Metres). It accounts for 0.1% of the global total in 2023.
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 | 4.70 | +9.3% |
| 2022 | 4.30 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 4.20 | +5% |
| 2020 | 4.00 | −7% |
| 2019 | 4.30 | −2.3% |
| 2018 | 4.40 | +10% |
| 2017 | 4.00 | +8.1% |
| 2016 Trough | 3.70 | −14% |
| 2015 | 4.30 | — |
Regional context
Natural Gas Consumption by country, 2023, Billion Cubic Metres. South Africa is highlighted.
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 industrial activity, electricity generation requirements, commercial demand, and the contribution of natural gas within South Africa’s energy system.
South Africa consumed 4.3 bcm of natural gas in 2015, declining to 3.7 bcm in 2016 before increasing to 4.0 bcm in 2017. Consumption rose to 4.4 bcm in 2018 before slightly declining to 4.3 bcm in 2019. Demand decreased to 4.0 bcm in 2020 due to reduced economic activity before increasing to 4.2 bcm in 2021. Natural gas consumption increased to 4.3 bcm in 2022 and further rose to 4.7 bcm in 2023, representing the highest level during the review period.
Overall, the dataset indicates relatively stable natural gas consumption in South Africa with moderate growth toward the end of the review period. The increase in recent years was supported by industrial demand recovery, energy diversification efforts, rising demand for cleaner fuels, and increased utilization of natural gas in industrial and commercial applications. Natural gas remains a developing component of South Africa’s energy mix compared with coal and renewable energy sources.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating South Africa’s natural gas demand outlook, analyzing consumption patterns, and understanding future energy infrastructure requirements. It supports market research, investment assessment, energy planning, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring South Africa’s energy transition, gas supply development, and the increasing role of natural gas in supporting energy diversification.
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.
South Africa Natural Gas Consumption was 4.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 9.3% on 2022.
South Africa Natural Gas Consumption moved from 4.30 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 4.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+9.3%), an average of +1.1% a year. The series high was 4.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the low 3.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2016.
The highest value was 4.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 and the lowest was 3.70 Billion Cubic Metres in 2016.
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.