China posted the second largest demand growth (+8.6%), accounting for 24% of the global increase

Global gas consumption continued to rise in 2019 (+2.6%), though at a slower rate than in 2018 (record year with +5.1%).
In the USA, the largest gas consumer, it grew by 3.1% in 2019, thanks to lower prices and new gas-fired capacity in the power sector. The growth was uneven, with 7% in the power sector but a rather flat consumption in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
In China, the economic slowdown and the relaxation of policy on coal-to-gas switching contributed to halve the growth in gas consumption (+8.6%).
Consumption grew in the EU (+3.1%), as demand recovered in Spain, Germany and Italy, and in producing countries such as Russia, Australia, Iran, Algeria and Egypt.
In Asia, it continued to decline in Japan and in South Korea, due to a lower demand from the power sector (lower electricity consumption and increased competition from nuclear reactors and renewables).
Gas consumption remained stable in Latin America with slight declines in Brazil and Argentina and a 4.4% growth in Mexico.