India, Aug. 27 -- Global natural gas demand reached a record 4,202 billion cubic metres (bcm) in 2025, rising 69 bcm or 1.7 per cent from the previous year, but is projected to decline by 7 bcm in 2026 as the Strait of Hormuz crisis disrupts supplies and raises prices for buyers in Asia and Africa, according to the Global Gas Report 2026.

Global supply also hit a record 4,147 bcm in 2025, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) net imports reached 580 bcm. The report, by the International Gas Union (IGU), Snam and Rystad Energy, said the 2026 decline will be the first in global gas demand since 2022.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has constrained around 20 per cent of global LNG supply, equivalent to about 3 per cent of total global natural gas ...