- 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 Korea Natural Gas Consumption was 60.10 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, down 3.7% on 2022. The Natural Gas Consumption dataset of South Korea 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 Korea Natural Gas Consumption moved from 45.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 60.10 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+31.8%), an average of +3.5% a year. The series high was 62.40 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021 and the low 45.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2015) is 16.80 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was +16.1% in 2018.
Among the 43 countries in this dataset, South Korea ranks 12 for 2023, behind U.S. (886.5 Billion Cubic Metres) and Russia (453.4 Billion Cubic Metres). It accounts for 1.5% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 60.10 | −3.7% |
| 2022 | 62.40 | 0% |
| 2021Peak | 62.40 | +8.5% |
| 2020 | 57.50 | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 56.00 | −3.1% |
| 2018 | 57.80 | +16.1% |
| 2017 | 49.80 | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 47.60 | +4.4% |
| 2015 Trough | 45.60 | — |
Regional context
Natural Gas Consumption by country, 2023, Billion Cubic Metres. South Korea 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 electricity generation requirements, industrial energy demand, residential heating needs, and the strategic role of natural gas within South Korea’s energy system.
South Korea consumed 45.6 bcm of natural gas in 2015, increasing to 47.6 bcm in 2016 and further rising to 49.8 bcm in 2017. Consumption increased significantly to 57.8 bcm in 2018 before declining slightly to 56.0 bcm in 2019. Demand increased to 57.5 bcm in 2020 and reached 62.4 bcm in both 2021 and 2022, representing the highest consumption level during the review period. Natural gas consumption declined to 60.1 bcm in 2023, reflecting changing market conditions and energy demand patterns.
Overall, the dataset indicates a gradual growth trend in South Korea’s natural gas consumption during the review period, with fluctuations due to changing electricity demand and market conditions. The increase was supported by rising demand for gas-fired power generation, industrial activity, urban heating requirements, and efforts to reduce dependence on coal-based energy sources. The decline after 2022 was influenced by energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy expansion, and adjustments in electricity generation patterns.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating South Korea’s natural gas demand outlook, analyzing consumption dynamics, and understanding future energy requirements. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, energy companies, analysts, and policymakers monitoring energy security, fuel diversification strategies, and the evolving role of natural gas within South Korea’s transition toward a balanced energy system.
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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 Korea Natural Gas Consumption was 60.10 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, down 3.7% on 2022.
South Korea Natural Gas Consumption moved from 45.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 60.10 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+31.8%), an average of +3.5% a year. The series high was 62.40 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021 and the low 45.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The highest value was 62.40 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021 and the lowest was 45.60 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.
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