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Energy & PowerRegional Aggregate

Oil Consumptionin South and Central America

- Oil Consumption refers to the total amount of petroleum products used within a country during a given year for energy and non-energy purposes.

South and Central America Oil ConsumptionThousand Barrels Daily · 2015–2023

BrazilBrazil: 2,5672,567ArgentinaArgentina: 690690ColombiaColombia: 484484ChileChile: 416416VenezuelaVenezuela: 396396
6,5006,0005,5005,0002015: 6,4402016: 6,3422017: 6,3022018: 6,0842019: 5,9862020: 5,184Trough2021: 5,8052022: 6,2442023: 6,445Peak20152017201920212023
Brazil: 2,567Remaining Countries: 1,892Argentina: 690Colombia: 484Chile: 416Venezuela: 3966countries
Brazil2,567
Remaining Countries1,892
Argentina690
Colombia484
Chile416
Venezuela396
Source: energyinst.orgLast updated: June 2026

What South and Central America Oil Consumption shows

South and Central America Oil Consumption was 6,445 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023, up 3.2% on 2022. The Oil Consumption dataset of South and Central America from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the region's oil consumption, highlighting demand trends, consumption levels, supply patterns, industry performance, and annual market developments throughout the review period.

Trend

Broadly stable

South and Central America Oil Consumption moved from 6,440 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 to 6,445 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 (+0.1%), an average of +0% a year. The series high was 6,445 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 and the low 5,184 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2020.

Volatility

A 19.6% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2020) is 1,261 Thousand Barrels Daily. The sharpest single-year move was −13.4% in 2020.

Structure

Brazil leads the region

Within South and Central America, Brazil has the highest value in 2023 at 2,567 Thousand Barrels Daily, 39.8% of the regional total.

Country ranking

Oil Consumption by country, 2023

Thousand Barrels Daily. Sort by any column, or search for a country.

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Oil Consumption by country, 2023.
Rank↕ Country↕ Share of top Thousand Barrels Daily↕ vs 2022
1 Brazil
2,567 +2.2%
2 Argentina
690 −4.6%
3 Colombia
484 +1.3%
4 Chile
416 +1.2%
5 Venezuela
396 +27.7%

By region

Oil Consumption by region

Thousand Barrels Daily, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.

Full series

South and Central America Oil Consumption by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Barrels Daily.

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South and Central America Oil Consumption, 2015–2023, Thousand Barrels Daily.
YearThousand Barrels DailyChange vs prior year
2023Peak 6,445 +3.2%
2022 6,244 +7.6%
2021 5,805 +12%
2020 Trough5,184 −13.4%
2019 5,986 −1.6%
2018 6,084 −3.5%
2017 6,302 −0.6%
2016 6,342 −1.5%
2015 6,440 —

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

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.

Inclusions

The data includes the domestic consumption of major petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other refined oil products used across transportation, industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, and power generation sectors. It covers both energy-related use and certain non-energy uses of petroleum products, such as feedstocks for petrochemical manufacturing where included in national energy balances. The indicator reflects total petroleum demand within a country regardless of whether the oil is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, refinery reports, trade data, and standardized international energy databases, enabling consistent comparison of oil consumption trends across countries and over time.

Exclusions

The data excludes crude oil production, crude oil reserves, refinery throughput, and petroleum exports. It does not include consumption of natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, electricity, or renewable energy sources unless they are derived from petroleum products. The indicator excludes upstream oil extraction activities and does not directly measure fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, energy affordability, or the quality of energy services. Inventory changes, strategic petroleum reserves, and stock movements may be treated separately depending on the reporting methodology. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national accounting practices, product classifications, and estimation methods used across countries.

About this indicator

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.

Indicator
Oil Consumption
Region
South and Central America
Unit
Thousand Barrels Daily
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
Energy & Power
Last updated
June 2026
Source
energyinst.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is South and Central America Oil Consumption?

Definition- 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.

What was South and Central America Oil Consumption in 2023?

South and Central America Oil Consumption was 6,445 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023, up 3.2% on 2022.

How has South and Central America Oil Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?

South and Central America Oil Consumption moved from 6,440 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2015 to 6,445 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 (+0.1%), an average of +0% a year. The series high was 6,445 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 and the low 5,184 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2020.

Which year had the highest and lowest South and Central America Oil Consumption?

The highest value was 6,445 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2023 and the lowest was 5,184 Thousand Barrels Daily in 2020.

What does the South and Central America Oil Consumption data include and exclude?

Included: The data includes the domestic consumption of major petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other refined oil products used across transportation, industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, and power generation sectors. It covers both energy-related use and certain non-energy uses of petroleum products, such as feedstocks for petrochemical manufacturing where included in national energy balances. The indicator reflects total petroleum demand within a country regardless of whether the oil is produced domestically or imported. Data is compiled from national energy statistics, refinery reports, trade data, and standardized international energy databases, enabling consistent comparison of oil consumption trends across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes crude oil production, crude oil reserves, refinery throughput, and petroleum exports. It does not include consumption of natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, electricity, or renewable energy sources unless they are derived from petroleum products. The indicator excludes upstream oil extraction activities and does not directly measure fuel efficiency, carbon emissions, energy affordability, or the quality of energy services. Inventory changes, strategic petroleum reserves, and stock movements may be treated separately depending on the reporting methodology. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national accounting practices, product classifications, and estimation methods used across countries.

Where does the South and Central America Oil Consumption data come from?

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 Thousand Barrels Daily.

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