Bangladesh is set to become the second-largest importer of LNG in South Asia by 2035, overtaking Pakistan, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2025 shows. The shift is driven by the rapid depletion of domestic gas reserves and the country’s expanding regasification capacity.
The IEA projects that Bangladesh and Pakistan together will import around 75 billion cubic metres (bcm) of LNG in 2035—an increase of nearly 60% from 2024. While Pakistan currently imports slightly more LNG than Bangladesh, the trend is expected to reverse in the early 2030s as Bangladesh’s import infrastructure grows and domestic output declines.
Under the IEA’s Stated Policies Scenario, LNG imports in emerging Asia—primarily Bangladesh and Pakistan—are forecast to rise from 45 bcm in 2024 to 80 bcm in 2035. Bangladesh’s LNG intake is expected to reach between 42 and 44 bcm by 2035, compared with Pakistan’s projection of 33 to 36 bcm. India will remain the region’s largest LNG buyer, with anticipated imports of 50 bcm by 2035, up from 35 bcm at present.
Bangladesh’s domestic gas production has been gradually shrinking as most onshore fields mature and exploration stagnates. LNG has increasingly filled the supply gap, supporting power generation, fertiliser production and industrial output – especially for the RMG industry.
The country currently operates two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), with two additional floating terminals and one land-based terminal planned. The IEA notes that this build-out positions Bangladesh to manage rising LNG demand over the next decade.
Pakistan, by contrast, faces constraints in expanding import capacity because of financing challenges and delays to key infrastructure projects.
The IEA identifies LNG as the default replacement fuel in countries where domestic gas reserves are declining, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Asia is projected to account for more than 75% of global LNG imports by 2035, remaining the main engine of demand growth.
