Global natural gas consumption rose by 78 billion cubic meters to a total of 4,122 billion cubic meters in 2024 – an increase of 1.9 percent. For 2025, the authors of the Global Gas Report expect a further increase of 71 billion cubic meters, or 1.7 percent.
Growth in demand varies greatly from region to region: consumption rose by 6.1 percent in Europe in the first half of 2025 and by 1.5 percent in North America. Trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG) developed particularly dynamically, driven by a 23.6 percent increase in import demand in Europe.
According to the report, global energy demand will increase significantly by 2030. China and India are considered the main drivers, as electricity consumption is growing particularly strongly there. Together with additional demand in North America, this makes Asia the key growth region.
In addition to economic growth, extreme weather events such as heat waves and rising electricity demand from cloud computing and artificial intelligence are putting strain on global grids. Natural gas is considered a flexible and reliable energy source for ensuring security of supply and grid stability.
However, the authors warn that actual energy demand could exceed the forecasts made to date by leading institutions. To avoid bottlenecks, continuous investment in gas infrastructure is therefore necessary.
Natural gas between energy security and decarbonization
At the same time, the transformation of the gas industry is progressing. Efficiency improvements, electrification, the reduction of methane emissions and flare gas combustion, as well as investments in renewable gases such as biomethane and technologies such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) are gaining in importance. For these measures to be effective, stable political conditions are needed.
“It is clear that natural gas remains indispensable for energy security,” emphasized IGU Secretary General Menelaos Ydreos. Natural gas provides reliable energy with lower emissions than oil and coal, while also helping to stabilize energy systems.
Snam CEO Agostino Scornajenchi also highlighted the role of further investment: “Natural gas plays a key role in the affordability, continuity, and resilience of energy supply. The development of biomethane and CCS can help achieve decarbonization goals and cushion market fluctuations—to the benefit of businesses and households.”
