World Bank: Iraq among top three gas-flaring countries in 2025

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq ranked among the three countries that flared the most natural gas in 2025, alongside Russia and Iran, according to World Bank data. Together, the three countries released 84 billion cubic meters of gas into the atmosphere, accounting for roughly half of all gas flared worldwide. The World Bank report said global gas flaring rose for a third consecutive year, reaching 167 billion cubic meters in 2025, the highest level in six years. The monetary value of the gas vented this year alone exceeded $54 billion, the bank said. Russia and Iran drove most of the annual increase, with Iraq also among the top three. The World Bank noted that Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria and the United States together accounted for more than 80% of global gas flaring, while producing only about half of the world's oil. The report attributed limited progress in reducing flaring to a lack of infrastructure, restricted gas markets, financing constraints and weak regulatory enforcement. The World Bank estimated that ending routine gas flaring will require $70 billion to $100 billion in investment.