Oil is a very important natural resource used to make fuel, electricity and many useful products. Some countries have large amounts of oil stored deep underground. These are called oil reserves. The more oil a country has, the more power it holds in the global energy market. Let’s look at the top-5 countries in the world with the largest oil reserves.
Top-5 Countries with the Largest Oil Reserves in 2025
Oil is one of the most important natural resources in the world. It powers cars, planes, factories and even helps make plastics. Some countries have large underground oil reserves, which they can use or sell to make money.
Let’s look at the top-5 countries in 2025 that have the biggest oil reserves and understand their situation:
- Venezuela
- Saudi Arabia
- Iran
- Canada
- Iraq
Venezuela, Largest Country in terms of Oil Reserves
Venezuela has the biggest oil reserves in the world. But there’s big problem – most of its oil is extra – heavy, meaning it’s a very thick and hard to clean and use. Due to political problems, U.S. sanctions and poor of infrastructure, Venezuela is not able to produce or sell as much oil as it could. It has great potential, but not enough working power.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a leading oil country. Its oil is easy to take out from the ground and simple to refine. The country has a very good system for oil production and export. It can quickly increase or reduce oil supply, giving it great control in the world oil market. It earns a lot of money from oil and is a strong member of the OPEC group.
Iran
Iran has huge oil reserves, especially near the Persian Gulf. But U.S. sanctions and limited technology have stopped it from using its full oil potential. Still, Iran plays an important role in OPEC (a group of oil-producing countries) and in the Middle East. If sanctions are lifted, Iran could quickly become a top oil exporter.
Canada
Canada is rich in oil stands, which are found mainly in Alberta. These oil stands are thick and sticky, making it harder and more costly to extract oil. But Canada has the technology and partnerships, especially with the U.S., to keep producing oil. Even though Canada is not part of OPEC, it is a major oil player in the world.
Iraq
Iraq has some of the easiest-to-extract oil in the world, especially in the southern region. Despite wars and political issues, Iraq still produces a large amount of oil. Oil is the main source of income for the country and it has a strong but sometimes unstable role in OPEC’s decisions.