BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 13. Global hydrogen consumption reached nearly 100 million tons (Mt) in 2024, marking a modest increase of just over 2% compared to 2023, according to the latest International Energy Agency (IEA) report, Trend reports.
The long-term upward trend in hydrogen use, interrupted only briefly by the COVID-19 pandemic, shows no signs of slowing, with global demand expected to exceed 100 Mt for the first time in 2025.
Regional hydrogen consumption patterns remained largely consistent with previous years. China continued to lead the market, accounting for more than one-quarter of global demand - over 29 Mt - nearly double that of North America, the second-largest consumer at around 16 Mt. Both China and North America recorded modest growth, rising 2% and 0.5% respectively, while European demand remained largely unchanged.
The Middle East and India experienced more pronounced growth, with demand rising nearly 6% and over 4% respectively. These increases are largely driven by hydrogen’s expanding role in oil refining and chemical production, with India also seeing higher use in steel manufacturing.
The IEA report highlights that hydrogen demand continues to be dominated by established industrial sectors, where hydrogen serves primarily as a feedstock rather than a tool for reducing emissions or enhancing energy security. Traditional applications - oil refining, chemical manufacturing (especially ammonia and methanol production), and steelmaking through the DRI process using fossil-derived synthesis gas - remain the main drivers of consumption.
New hydrogen applications, such as its use in biofuel production, grew more slowly than in previous years and still represent less than 1% of global demand. Nearly all hydrogen consumed in 2024 was produced from unabated fossil fuels.
