Market overview
The global liquefied natural gas market is worth USD 240 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 372 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Long-term contracts is the largest by contract type segment.
| Scope | Liquefied natural gas traded worldwide, counted at delivered contract and spot prices to buyers in regasification markets. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Oil and Gas |
| Value 2025 | USD 235 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 240 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 372 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 428 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 734 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 561 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Liquefied Natural Gas market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 240 bn |
| 2027 | USD 250 bn |
| 2028 | USD 262 bn |
| 2029 | USD 274 bn |
| 2030 | USD 286 bn |
| 2031 | USD 299 bn |
| 2032 | USD 312 bn |
| 2033 | USD 326 bn |
| 2034 | USD 341 bn |
| 2035 | USD 356 bn |
| 2036 | USD 372 bn |
Liquefied Natural Gas market segmentation
By contract type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term contracts | 70.0% | 63.8% | USD 168 bn | 3.5% |
| Short-term contracts | 12.0% | 13.3% | USD 28.8 bn | 5.5% |
| Spot cargoes | 18.0% | 22.9% | USD 43.1 bn | 7.0% |
By supply source
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar and Middle East | 20.0% | 19.5% | USD 47.9 bn | 4.3% |
| United States | 26.0% | 32.2% | USD 62.3 bn | 6.8% |
| Australia | 15.0% | 11.0% | USD 36.0 bn | 1.3% |
| Russia | 7.0% | 5.4% | USD 16.8 bn | 1.8% |
| Africa | 9.0% | 8.4% | USD 21.6 bn | 3.8% |
| Other | 23.0% | 23.6% | USD 55.1 bn | 4.8% |
By buyer type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas utilities and city gas | 36.0% | 34.0% | USD 86.3 bn | 3.9% |
| Power generators | 28.0% | 28.0% | USD 67.1 bn | 4.5% |
| Industrial users | 20.0% | 20.0% | USD 47.9 bn | 4.5% |
| Traders and portfolio players | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 38.4 bn | 5.7% |
By pricing basis
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil-indexed | 38.0% | 28.0% | USD 91.1 bn | 1.4% |
| Hub-indexed | 40.0% | 46.0% | USD 95.9 bn | 6.0% |
| Fixed and hybrid | 22.0% | 26.0% | USD 52.7 bn | 6.3% |
By delivery basis
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivered ex-ship | 48.0% | 46.0% | USD 115 bn | 4.1% |
| Free on board | 44.0% | 44.0% | USD 105 bn | 4.5% |
| Cost, insurance and freight | 8.0% | 10.0% | USD 19.2 bn | 6.9% |
Top 25 countries for liquefied natural gas by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 74.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.2%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 40.7 bn | 17.0% | USD 76.7 bn | 6.5% |
| 2 | Japan | USD 37.2 bn | 15.5% | USD 43.2 bn | 1.5% |
| 3 | South Korea | USD 26.4 bn | 11.0% | USD 32.0 bn | 2.0% |
| 4 | India | USD 15.6 bn | 6.5% | USD 33.9 bn | 8.1% |
| 5 | Taiwan | USD 13.2 bn | 5.5% | USD 18.6 bn | 3.5% |
| 6 | France | USD 10.8 bn | 4.5% | USD 14.5 bn | 3.0% |
| 7 | Spain | USD 9.6 bn | 4.0% | USD 13.0 bn | 3.1% |
| 8 | Germany | USD 8.4 bn | 3.5% | USD 13.8 bn | 5.1% |
| 9 | United Kingdom | USD 8.4 bn | 3.5% | USD 10.8 bn | 2.5% |
| 10 | Italy | USD 7.2 bn | 3.0% | USD 9.7 bn | 3.0% |
| 11 | Thailand | USD 5.2 bn | 2.2% | USD 7.8 bn | 4.2% |
| 12 | Turkey | USD 4.7 bn | 2.0% | USD 7.1 bn | 4.2% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 4.3 bn | 1.8% | USD 6.5 bn | 4.2% |
| 14 | Pakistan | USD 3.9 bn | 1.6% | USD 8.8 bn | 8.5% |
| 15 | Poland | USD 3.5 bn | 1.5% | USD 5.4 bn | 4.2% |
| 16 | Belgium | USD 3.2 bn | 1.4% | USD 4.9 bn | 4.2% |
| 17 | Brazil | USD 2.9 bn | 1.2% | USD 4.4 bn | 4.2% |
| 18 | Kuwait | USD 2.7 bn | 1.1% | USD 5.1 bn | 6.5% |
| 19 | Bangladesh | USD 2.4 bn | 1.0% | USD 5.5 bn | 8.5% |
| 20 | Singapore | USD 2.2 bn | 0.9% | USD 3.4 bn | 4.2% |
| 21 | Egypt | USD 2.0 bn | 0.8% | USD 3.8 bn | 6.5% |
| 22 | Greece | USD 1.8 bn | 0.8% | USD 2.8 bn | 4.1% |
| 23 | Chile | USD 1.7 bn | 0.7% | USD 2.5 bn | 4.2% |
| 24 | Vietnam | USD 1.5 bn | 0.6% | USD 3.4 bn | 8.5% |
| 25 | Philippines | USD 1.4 bn | 0.6% | USD 3.1 bn | 8.4% |
| Rest of world | USD 18.7 bn | 7.8% | USD 31.6 bn | 5.4% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- QatarEnergy
- Shell
- Cheniere Energy
- ExxonMobil
- TotalEnergies
- Chevron
- Petronas
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Woodside Energy
- Equinor
- Santos
- ADNOC
- Novatek
- Sonatrach
- ConocoPhillips
- Eni
- INPEX
- Nigeria LNG
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Venture Global
- Golar LNG
- NextDecade
- New Fortress Energy
- Freeport LNG
- Sempra Infrastructure
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the liquefied natural gas market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by contract type, by supply source, by buyer type, by pricing basis, by delivery basis. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the liquefied natural gas market?
The global liquefied natural gas market is estimated at USD 235 bn in 2025 and USD 240 bn in 2026.
How fast will the liquefied natural gas market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 372 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 133 bn.
Which country is the largest market for liquefied natural gas?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 40.7 bn in 2026, 17.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 43.5%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which liquefied natural gas segment is largest?
In the by contract type split, Long-term contracts is the largest segment with 70.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading liquefied natural gas companies?
Global leaders include QatarEnergy, Shell, Cheniere Energy, ExxonMobil.
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