Coal, once the backbone of industrial energy, has seen its global demand slide into a prolonged decline. After reaching a historic high of 1,705.1 Mtce in 2007, usage has plummeted by more than 870 Mtce in less than two decades, a drop that mirrors rising environmental policies, technological shifts, and a pivot to cleaner alternatives.
By 2024, global demand for coal sits at just 832.7 Mtce, falling below even its 1974 level. This reversal represents not just a market contraction, but a structural change in the world’s energy priorities. The coal era is not just fading; it is being systematically replaced.
The United States dominates global natural gas production in 2024, contributing 1.03 trillion cubic metres (Tcm), nearly one-quarter of the world’s total.
Russia (0.63Tcm) and Iran (0.26Tcm) follow as the second and third largest producers.
China (0.25Tcm) and Canada (0.19Tcm) also feature strongly, rounding out the top five producers.
Collectively, these top five countries account for more than 50% of global production.
Emerging producers like Nigeria, Egypt, and Azerbaijan contribute significantly to the supply but remain far behind the leading nations.
