3.1% Annual Growth in Global Demand for Gulf Crude Oil Since 2021
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A report by the GCC Statistical Center showed that global demand for Gulf crude oil grew by 3.1% annually, with increases in production and exports.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Indicators from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Statistical Center showed that the average annual growth rate of global demand for crude oil by GCC countries reached 3.1 percent during the period from 2021 to 2025.
The Center stated in a report it issued today, Monday, on the Gulf energy sector for 2025, that crude oil production in GCC countries rose by 5 percent last year compared to 2024, reaching 16.9 million barrels per day, equivalent to 22.5 percent of global production, reflecting “the continued weight of the Gulf in the international energy supply system.”
Regarding exports, the Center noted that crude oil exports from GCC countries reached 12.2 million barrels per day in 2025, accounting for 27.3 percent of global crude oil exports, which enhances the region’s role in meeting international market needs and underscores the importance of stable Gulf supplies amid transformations in global energy markets.
As for the natural gas sector, the Center reported that GCC production reached approximately 460.9 billion cubic meters, representing 10.6 percent of global gas production, highlighting the importance of Gulf gas resources in meeting global energy demand, alongside the role of gas in supporting manufacturing industries and related economic activities.
The Center pointed out that crude oil production data show disparities in production levels during the 2021–2025 period, with production reaching 16 million barrels per day in 2021, rising to 18.2 million barrels per day in 2022, then recording 17 million barrels per day in 2023 and 16.1 million barrels per day in 2024, before increasing to 16.9 million barrels per day in 2025.
In parallel with the pivotal role of oil and gas, the Center emphasized the GCC countries’ trend toward reshaping the energy system by expanding renewable energy sources, improving consumption efficiency, and enhancing clean energy projects, contributing to emission reductions and balancing economic growth requirements with environmental preservation.
It noted that these trends are evident in the announced national targets for the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, which vary among GCC countries in terms of target percentages and timeframes.
The GCC Statistical Center, headquartered in the Sultanate of Oman, was established in 2011 as the official body responsible for data, information, and statistics related to GCC countries, in addition to its role in enhancing statistical and informational efforts among national statistical centers and planning authorities within the region.
