Oil Consumption — - Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes. It is typically measured in thousand barrels per day (kb/d) and represents the demand for oil-based fuels and products across the economy. The indicator includes the use of refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, and other oil-derived products consumed by transportation, industry, power generation, residential, commercial, and other sectors. Oil Consumption is a key measure of a country’s energy demand, economic activity, transportation intensity, and dependence on petroleum resources.
Measured in thousand barrels daily, the dataset reflects total regional petroleum consumption and serves as an important indicator of transportation fuel demand, industrial activity, and energy market performance. Incorporating consumption data from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, and the remaining regional countries, the dataset enables analysis of regional demand patterns, consumption trends, and long-term developments across the region's oil market.
South and Central America's total oil consumption declined from 6,440 thousand barrels daily in 2015 to 6,342 thousand in 2016, 6,302 thousand in 2017, 6,084 thousand in 2018, and 5,986 thousand in 2019. Regional demand dropped to 5,184 thousand barrels daily in 2020 before recovering to 5,805 thousand in 2021, 6,244 thousand in 2022, and 6,445 thousand barrels daily in 2023. Brazil remained the largest consumer, recovering from 2,218 thousand barrels daily in 2020 to 2,567 thousand in 2023. Colombia and Chile recorded overall consumption growth, while Argentina fluctuated and Venezuela experienced a substantial long-term decline during the review period.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates resilient long-term oil consumption across South and Central America despite the temporary decline in 2020. Recovery in Brazil and rising demand across several regional economies offset weaker consumption in Venezuela, allowing regional oil demand to surpass its 2015 level by 2023. The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring regional oil consumption trends, evaluating energy demand, supporting market analysis, forecasting future petroleum consumption, and enabling policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders to develop effective energy strategies and long-term investment decisions.