Apr 16, 2025
Gas usage increases in 2024 due to a shift in policy away from coal and oil.
Policies targeting a shift from coal and oil led to increased natural gas consumption last year, with China, India, and the US at the forefront, as reported by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).
Global natural gas usage rose by 2.5% in 2024, reaching 4.17 trillion cubic meters, primarily driven by the industrial and power generation sectors, according to GECF's 2025 Gas Market Report.
Natural gas markets stabilized at lower prices in 2024 compared to earlier years and contributed 35% to the growth in primary energy demand, outpacing other energy sources.
This growth was supported by strong economic performance in the Asia-Pacific, North America, and Eurasia, leading to increased electricity demand and industrial expansion.
Energy policies promoting transitions from coal and oil to gas were significant factors in the rise in gas consumption, along with high summer temperatures and unusually cold winters.
Of the total 4.17 trillion cubic meters consumed, North America represented 1.158 trillion cubic meters, followed by Asia-Pacific at 980 billion cubic meters (bcm), Eurasia with 660 bcm, Europe with 451 bcm, the Middle East with 588 bcm, Africa with 183 bcm, and Latin America and the Caribbean with 150 bcm.
China and India led consumption in the Asia-Pacific region, which saw a 7% increase driven by demand in both countries.
China's gas consumption grew by 8% to 430 bcm in 2024, marking its second consecutive year of growth, fueled by coal-to-gas policies, increased LNG imports through new terminals, and Russian gas supplies via the Power of Siberia pipeline.
India's gas consumption rose by 10%, reaching 72 bcm, mainly influenced by demand in the industrial sector, increased power generation, and the expansion of the city gas distribution network.
South Korea's gas consumption increased by 3% to 56 bcm in 2024, reversing a previous decline, primarily due to higher demand in power generation, while Japan’s consumption remained stable at 92 bcm after years of decline.
Africa's gas consumption saw a 3% increase to 183 bcm, with Algeria and Egypt making up 60% of this total.
Nigeria's gas-fired power projects contributed significantly to this rise, along with increased industrial activities and gas usage in electricity generation.
In North America, consumption grew by 1.7% to 1.158 trillion cubic meters, driven by rising energy sector demand in the US.
Steady industrial demand, coal phase-outs, and the integration of intermittent renewables increased reliance on gas for grid stability and backup power.
US gas consumption continued to rise, increasing by 1.6% to 925 bcm, driven mainly by the power generation sector, while Canada's natural gas consumption rose by 2% to 124 bcm, rebounding from a sharp decline in 2023.
Gas consumption in Latin America and the Caribbean increased by 1% to 150 bcm due to reduced hydropower output.
Droughts in Brazil and Colombia led to a rise in gas-fired power generation to meet electricity demand and maintain grid stability. Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela accounted for 65% of the region’s consumption.
In the EU, comprising 27 members, gas consumption declined by 0.5% to 313 bcm, continuing a downward trend.
Efforts to reduce gas use, improve energy efficiency, a mild 2023-2024 winter, and growing adoption of renewable energy drove this decline, while a recovery in industrial activity could not counterbalance reduced demand in the energy sector.
Global natural gas usage rose by 2.5% in 2024, reaching 4.17 trillion cubic meters, primarily driven by the industrial and power generation sectors, according to GECF's 2025 Gas Market Report.
Natural gas markets stabilized at lower prices in 2024 compared to earlier years and contributed 35% to the growth in primary energy demand, outpacing other energy sources.
This growth was supported by strong economic performance in the Asia-Pacific, North America, and Eurasia, leading to increased electricity demand and industrial expansion.
Energy policies promoting transitions from coal and oil to gas were significant factors in the rise in gas consumption, along with high summer temperatures and unusually cold winters.
Of the total 4.17 trillion cubic meters consumed, North America represented 1.158 trillion cubic meters, followed by Asia-Pacific at 980 billion cubic meters (bcm), Eurasia with 660 bcm, Europe with 451 bcm, the Middle East with 588 bcm, Africa with 183 bcm, and Latin America and the Caribbean with 150 bcm.
China and India led consumption in the Asia-Pacific region, which saw a 7% increase driven by demand in both countries.
China's gas consumption grew by 8% to 430 bcm in 2024, marking its second consecutive year of growth, fueled by coal-to-gas policies, increased LNG imports through new terminals, and Russian gas supplies via the Power of Siberia pipeline.
India's gas consumption rose by 10%, reaching 72 bcm, mainly influenced by demand in the industrial sector, increased power generation, and the expansion of the city gas distribution network.
South Korea's gas consumption increased by 3% to 56 bcm in 2024, reversing a previous decline, primarily due to higher demand in power generation, while Japan’s consumption remained stable at 92 bcm after years of decline.
Africa's gas consumption saw a 3% increase to 183 bcm, with Algeria and Egypt making up 60% of this total.
Nigeria's gas-fired power projects contributed significantly to this rise, along with increased industrial activities and gas usage in electricity generation.
In North America, consumption grew by 1.7% to 1.158 trillion cubic meters, driven by rising energy sector demand in the US.
Steady industrial demand, coal phase-outs, and the integration of intermittent renewables increased reliance on gas for grid stability and backup power.
US gas consumption continued to rise, increasing by 1.6% to 925 bcm, driven mainly by the power generation sector, while Canada's natural gas consumption rose by 2% to 124 bcm, rebounding from a sharp decline in 2023.
Gas consumption in Latin America and the Caribbean increased by 1% to 150 bcm due to reduced hydropower output.
Droughts in Brazil and Colombia led to a rise in gas-fired power generation to meet electricity demand and maintain grid stability. Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela accounted for 65% of the region’s consumption.
In the EU, comprising 27 members, gas consumption declined by 0.5% to 313 bcm, continuing a downward trend.
Efforts to reduce gas use, improve energy efficiency, a mild 2023-2024 winter, and growing adoption of renewable energy drove this decline, while a recovery in industrial activity could not counterbalance reduced demand in the energy sector.