- 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.
UAE Natural Gas Consumption was 66.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 1.2% on 2022. The Natural Gas Consumption dataset of the UAE from 2015 to 2023 provides a detailed 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.
UAE Natural Gas Consumption moved from 71.50 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 66.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (−6.4%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 71.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2016 and the low 59.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2018.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2018) is 12.30 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was +12.8% in 2019.
Among the 43 countries in this dataset, UAE ranks 9 for 2023, behind U.S. (886.5 Billion Cubic Metres) and Russia (453.4 Billion Cubic Metres). It accounts for 1.7% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
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| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 66.90 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 66.10 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | 65.50 | −3.5% |
| 2020 | 67.90 | +1% |
| 2019 | 67.20 | +12.8% |
| 2018 Trough | 59.60 | −9.3% |
| 2017 | 65.70 | −8.6% |
| 2016Peak | 71.90 | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 71.50 | — |
Regional context
Natural Gas Consumption by country, 2023, Billion Cubic Metres. UAE 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 demand, industrial activity, water desalination requirements, manufacturing operations, and the role of natural gas within the UAE’s energy infrastructure.
The UAE consumed 71.5 bcm of natural gas in 2015, increasing slightly to 71.9 bcm in 2016 before declining to 65.7 bcm in 2017. Consumption decreased further to 59.6 bcm in 2018 before recovering to 67.2 bcm in 2019. Demand increased slightly to 67.9 bcm in 2020 before declining to 65.5 bcm in 2021. Natural gas consumption increased to 66.1 bcm in 2022 and further rose to 66.9 bcm in 2023, reflecting changing energy demand patterns and economic activity.
Overall, the dataset indicates fluctuations in the UAE’s natural gas consumption during the review period, with demand recovering after declines observed between 2017 and 2018. Consumption patterns were influenced by electricity generation requirements, industrial development, economic conditions, energy efficiency measures, and the increasing integration of alternative energy sources. Natural gas continues to play a significant role in supporting the UAE’s power generation and industrial sectors.
The dataset provides valuable insights into the UAE’s natural gas demand outlook, consumption trends, and future energy requirements. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment assessment, and policy development while assisting researchers, energy companies, analysts, and policymakers in evaluating the UAE’s energy security, gas supply dynamics, and transition toward a diversified and sustainable 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.
UAE Natural Gas Consumption was 66.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 1.2% on 2022.
UAE Natural Gas Consumption moved from 71.50 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 66.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (−6.4%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 71.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2016 and the low 59.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2018.
The highest value was 71.90 Billion Cubic Metres in 2016 and the lowest was 59.60 Billion Cubic Metres in 2018.
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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