The OPEC World Oil Outlook 2026 was launched today at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria. First published in 2007, and now in its 20th edition, the Organization’s flagship annual publication offers valuable insights into the medium- and long-term prospects for the global oil and energy sectors.
This year’s publication anticipates that the world will require far more energy in the decades to come, with global energy demand set to rise by 23% to 2050. In addition, global oil demand is projected to see robust growth, reaching 124 million barrels a day (mb/d) by 2050.
The Outlook’s analysis and key findings take into account recent energy, economic and policy developments, as well as evolving challenges related to energy security, energy affordability and emissions reductions.
The publication also underlines the importance of pursuing balanced and realistic future energy pathways, recognizing the diverse needs and priorities of countries around the world. It highlights the role of all energies and technologies in meeting future energy demand, the need to expand access to modern energy services for billions of people globally, and the significance of ensuring timely and adequate investments across the energy sector.
OPEC Secretary General, HE Haitham Al Ghais, said: “The scale of humanity’s energy needs requires sustained investment today across all energies and technologies. For oil alone, investments of $17.7 trillion from 2026 to 2050 – or over $700 billion per annum – are needed to meet demand in the long term.”
The publication is available for download on the OPEC website and via two digital interfaces, the OPEC World Oil Outlook App and a comprehensive interactive version, which can be accessed at: woo.opec.org.