Crude oil, often called 'black gold', is a naturally occurring, unrefined liquid fossil fuel composed primarily of hydrocarbons (which are molecules made of carbon and hydrogen). It is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.
Crude oil is extracted from underground reservoirs and then refined into various petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Crude oil is a major commodity, playing a vital role in the world economy. It is a primary source of energy, used to power vehicles and industries and generate electricity.
As a matter of fact, of all commodities, crude oil is the most intertwined with geopolitics and international relations. Any geopolitical dispute between major oil-producing and consuming countries has a significant impact on supply and demand and global oil prices. Usually a recession or weak economy can reduce oil consumption.
US elections are also closely watched to understand the elected candidate's stance on renewable energy and fossil fuels. Successful oil traders in the futures and options markets also watch the global headlines closely to understand everything that goes on between both oil-producing and consuming countries.
As per the latest Monthly Oil Market Report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in March 2025, the global oil demand has been projected to grow by over 1 million b/d in 2025, up from 830,000 b/d in 2024, reaching a total of 103.9 million barrels per day.
In this article, we will provide the list of the top 10 oil-consuming countries (highest to lowest).
Top 10 Countries With Highest Oil Consumption in 2025
In 2025, the top 10 countries by oil consumption are the United States, China, India, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Canada, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. The top ten oil-consuming countries accounted for roughly 61.08 million barrels per day, or 61% of global consumption.
Below is a table summarising the top 10 countries by oil consumption in 2025. (Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics, Total oil (petroleum and other liquids) consumption, as of April 11, 2024)
| Country | Barrels per day (in millions) |
| United States | 20.01 |
| China | 15.15 |
| India | 5.05 |
| Russia | 3.68 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3.65 |
| Japan | 3.38 |
| Brazil | 3.03 |
| South Korea | 2.55 |
| Canada | 2.41 |
| Germany | 2.18 |
| Top ten consuming countries total | 61.08 |
1. United States
The United States is the highest oil-consuming country in the world. As per EIA, in 2023, the US consumed an average of approximately 20.25 m/b of petroleum per day (approx.), which is a total of 7.39 billion barrels of petroleum. In 2021, the US consumed 20.4% of the world's total petroleum, which is the highest share of any country. The transportation sector is the largest consumer of petroleum in the US.
2. China
China ranks second on the list of the highest oil-consuming countries. China's oil consumption has steadily increased, from 2.3 million barrels per day in 1990 to 16.2 million barrels per day in 2023. China is also the world's largest importer of crude oil.
3. India
India ranks third in the world for oil consumption. India's daily oil consumption is currently around 5.05 million barrels. This makes India the third-largest oil consumer in the world, after the United States and China. India's oil consumption has increased, from 1.2 million barrels per day in 1990.
Also read: List of Top 10 Fastest Growing Job Sectors In The US In 2025
