The world consumed more energy in 2025 than at any point in history, with fossil fuels still supplying the vast majority of global demand despite a surge in renewable power, according to a new report from the Energy Institute. The findings provide fresh support for President Donald Trump’s strategy of expanding U.S. oil and gas production as a means to lower prices, strengthen national security, and drive economic growth.
The Energy Institute’s 2026 Statistical Review of World Energy found that oil, natural gas, and coal together accounted for 86% of global energy use last year. The data underscore that, even as wind and solar capacity has grown rapidly, the world remains overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels to power homes, businesses, transportation, and industry. Overall energy consumption hit an all-time high, driven by rising demand in developing economies and steady consumption in industrialized nations.
The report’s conclusions align closely with the Trump administration’s argument that boosting domestic energy production is essential to reducing costs for American families and businesses. The White House has made energy policy a central pillar of its economic agenda, particularly as the 2026 midterm elections approach and both parties prepare to campaign on inflation and economic stability. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the findings validate the president’s approach. “Even left-wing studies are finding that President Trump’s energy dominance agenda has been undeniably successful in unleashing reliable, affordable, and secure energy,” Rogers said. “Thanks to the President, U.S. oil, natural gas, and coal production has increased – which benefits American families and businesses by lowering prices, creating jobs, and strengthening our energy security.”
U.S. oil production reached a record 21.1 million barrels per day in 2025, nearly matching the combined output of Saudi Arabia and Russia. The United States also remained the world’s largest natural gas producer and the leading exporter of petroleum products. These figures highlight America’s dominant position in global energy markets, a point Trump has emphasized as a key achievement of his administration.
The report comes amid renewed geopolitical tensions that have raised concerns about energy security, particularly in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict with Iran has focused attention on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which about 20 million barrels of oil and one-fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas pass each day, along with shipments of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Although the Energy Institute’s data predate the latest hostilities, the report underscores how geopolitical instability can threaten global energy supplies and drive price volatility.
Economist Steve Moore said the conflict illustrates the strategic importance of expanding U.S. energy production. “Every time we’ve had flare-ups in the Middle East, this has caused a lot of disruption to the energy markets,” Moore said. He noted that the situation has once again exposed the world’s dependence on oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, putting upward pressure on energy prices. Heritage Foundation chief economist EJ Antoni echoed that view, arguing that the United States must move beyond energy independence and embrace what Trump has called “energy dominance.” “The Iran war has shown us it’s not simply enough for America to be pumping at current levels. America needs to be not just energy independent, but energy dominant,” Antoni said. He called for continued expansion of domestic production and refining capacity to insulate the U.S. economy from global shocks.
The White House has argued that increasing domestic oil and natural gas output will help shield American consumers from geopolitical disruptions while lowering energy costs. That message is likely to feature prominently in the administration’s campaign ahead of the midterms, as voters continue to rank the economy and inflation among their top concerns. The Energy Institute’s report provides data-driven backing for that narrative, showing that despite years of investment in renewables, fossil fuels remain the backbone of the global energy system. For the Trump administration, the findings reinforce the case that expanding production of oil, gas, and coal is not only economically beneficial but also strategically necessary in an increasingly volatile world.
