According to the latest World Bank Global Gas Flaring Tracker 2025, global gas flaring increased for the third consecutive year, reaching 167 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas burned off at oil production sites. This represents an estimated economic loss of $54 billion worth of gas, highlighting a major missed opportunity for improving energy access, supporting economic development, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The amount of gas flared in 2025 was nearly equal to the entire annual gas consumption of Africa and exceeded the annual volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transported through the Persian Gulf.
The report identifies Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, and the United States as the largest contributors to global flaring. Together, these nine countries account for more than 80% of global gas flaring, despite producing less than half of the world’s oil. Many of these nations continue to flare large quantities of natural gas while simultaneously facing domestic energy shortages or importing expensive fuel to meet growing energy demand.
The World Bank emphasized that capturing and utilizing this wasted gas could significantly strengthen energy security, generate electricity, support industrial growth, create jobs, and provide additional government revenues. The organization estimates that eliminating routine gas flaring worldwide would require investments of approximately $70 billion to $100 billion, an amount that is less than twice the annual value of the gas currently being wasted each year.
Although the technologies, financing mechanisms, and operational solutions needed to reduce gas flaring already exist, progress remains slow due to weak regulations, inadequate infrastructure, limited market access, insufficient investment, and a lack of political and corporate commitment. The report notes that countries implementing strong policies and targeted investments have demonstrated significant success. For example, Kazakhstan has reduced gas flaring by 87% since 2012, including a further 16% reduction in 2025, proving that substantial improvements are achievable when governments and industry prioritize action.
The World Bank warns that continued gas flaring represents not only an environmental challenge but also a major economic and energy-security issue. Reducing flaring can help countries improve energy availability, lower fuel import costs, support economic growth, create employment opportunities, and contribute to global climate goals. The report calls for stronger leadership, better governance, increased investment, and greater collaboration between governments and energy companies to transform wasted gas into a valuable resource that benefits economies and communities worldwide.
