GITNUXREPORT 2026

Global Hydrogen Production Statistics

Global hydrogen production remains overwhelmingly fossil-fuel based, with minimal green output.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Levelized cost of green H2 to fall 50% to $1.5/kg by 2030.

Statistic 2

Grey H2 production cost averages $1.5-2.5/kg globally in 2023.

Statistic 3

Blue H2 with CCS costs $2-3/kg currently, competitive in gas-rich areas.

Statistic 4

Green H2 capex for PEM electrolysers at $800/kW in 2023.

Statistic 5

OPEX for SMR plants around $0.5/kg H2 output.

Statistic 6

Global H2 market value estimated at $130 billion in 2022.

Statistic 7

Investment in clean H2 projects reached $10 billion in 2022.

Statistic 8

Coal H2 production costs $1.8/kg in China vs $3/kg elsewhere.

Statistic 9

Subsidy needs for green H2: $20-50/kg until 2030 in high-cost regions.

Statistic 10

Green H2 LCOH $0.8-1.2/kg by 2030 in best sites.

Statistic 11

Natural gas price impacts grey H2 cost by 60%.

Statistic 12

CCS adds $0.5-1/kg to blue H2 costs.

Statistic 13

Electrolyser stack costs fell 40% 2019-2023.

Statistic 14

H2 storage costs $10-15/kg capacity underground.

Statistic 15

Ammonia as H2 carrier adds $0.3/kg transport cost.

Statistic 16

Global subsidies for clean H2 $50 billion planned 2023-2030.

Statistic 17

H2 pipeline conversion costs $0.5-1M/km.

Statistic 18

LCOH green H2 $2/kg average 2023 falling fast.

Statistic 19

H2 trucking cost parity diesel by 2030 forecast.

Statistic 20

Electrolyser manufacturing capacity 50 GW/year 2025.

Statistic 21

H2 liquefaction energy penalty 30% of LHV.

Statistic 22

Steam methane reforming dominates with 75% of global H2 production share.

Statistic 23

Grey hydrogen from unabated natural gas SMR was 48 Mt in 2022.

Statistic 24

Blue hydrogen with CCS represented less than 0.1 Mt in current production.

Statistic 25

Green hydrogen via electrolysis was 0.1% of total output in 2023.

Statistic 26

Coal gasification for hydrogen yielded 31% of global production in Asia.

Statistic 27

Oil refinery byproduct hydrogen contributes 4-5 Mt per year worldwide.

Statistic 28

Autothermal reforming (ATR) used in 10% of natural gas-based H2 plants.

Statistic 29

Methane pyrolysis emerging method produced negligible volumes commercially.

Statistic 30

Biomass gasification for H2 is piloted at 0.01 Mt scale globally.

Statistic 31

Nuclear-assisted electrolysis potential but current share zero.

Statistic 32

Partial oxidation method used in 5% of H2 plants worldwide.

Statistic 33

Water electrolysis efficiency 60-80% for PEM and alkaline.

Statistic 34

SMR hydrogen purity 99.99% post pressure swing adsorption.

Statistic 35

Biomass-derived H2 costs $3-5/kg in demos.

Statistic 36

Coal H2 via integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC).

Statistic 37

Pink hydrogen from nuclear heat projected for future.

Statistic 38

SMR with pre-combustion CCS demo scale 0.1 Mt.

Statistic 39

Alkaline electrolysis 60% market share of electrolysers.

Statistic 40

Solid oxide electrolysis efficiency >80% lab results.

Statistic 41

Gasification H2/CO ratio adjusted via water-gas shift.

Statistic 42

Photoelectrochemical H2 research stage, zero commercial.

Statistic 43

Fermentation biohydrogen pilots <1 kg/day.

Statistic 44

China produced 33 Mt of hydrogen in 2022, 35% of global total.

Statistic 45

Europe generated 11 Mt hydrogen in 2022, mostly grey from gas.

Statistic 46

United States output was 10 Mt in 2022, primarily for ammonia.

Statistic 47

Middle East countries produced 8 Mt, leveraging cheap natural gas.

Statistic 48

India hydrogen production at 6 Mt annually from coal and gas.

Statistic 49

Japan imports most but produces 2 Mt domestically for refining.

Statistic 50

Russia output 5 Mt, focused on export potential via pipelines.

Statistic 51

Australia emerging with 0.5 Mt but plans for green H2 exports.

Statistic 52

South Korea produced 1.5 Mt for steel and chemicals.

Statistic 53

Africa total under 1 Mt, potential in North Africa for exports.

Statistic 54

Turkey H2 output 0.8 Mt, Germany 2.5 Mt in 2022.

Statistic 55

Saudi Arabia plans 1 Mt blue H2 by 2026.

Statistic 56

Brazil byproduct H2 from ethanol at 0.2 Mt.

Statistic 57

Canada produced 3 Mt, eyeing exports.

Statistic 58

Ukraine pre-war H2 output 0.5 Mt from coke oven gas.

Statistic 59

Egypt targeting 1.5 Mt green H2 exports by 2030.

Statistic 60

Indonesia coal H2 at 0.3 Mt annually.

Statistic 61

Netherlands H2 production 0.9 Mt in 2022.

Statistic 62

UAE blue H2 ambitions 1 Mt by 2031.

Statistic 63

Chile green H2 potential 25 GW solar for exports.

Statistic 64

Norway H2 from hydropower electrolysis growing.

Statistic 65

Poland coal H2 transitioning slowly 1 Mt.

Statistic 66

Morocco H2 strategy for 4 GW electrolysis by 2030.

Statistic 67

Global H2 production grew 5% annually from 2015-2022 average.

Statistic 68

From 2000-2020, production doubled from 45 Mt to 90 Mt.

Statistic 69

Low-emission H2 share stagnant at <1% over past decade.

Statistic 70

China H2 output increased 300% from 2010-2022.

Statistic 71

European production flat at 10-11 Mt since 2015.

Statistic 72

US H2 production rose 20% from 2018-2022 due to shale gas.

Statistic 73

Coal-based H2 declined 10% in OECD countries 2010-2020.

Statistic 74

Byproduct H2 from industry grew 15% in Asia 2005-2020.

Statistic 75

Global capacity additions averaged 2 Mt/year pre-2020.

Statistic 76

Electrolysis capacity tripled from 2015-2023 to 15 GW.

Statistic 77

Global H2 production up 2.6% in 2020 despite COVID.

Statistic 78

From 1990-2010, H2 demand grew 50% to 60 Mt.

Statistic 79

Electrolysis capacity grew from 1 GW in 2010 to 10 GW 2020.

Statistic 80

Middle East H2 production doubled 2005-2015.

Statistic 81

Japan H2 imports started 2010s for fuel cells.

Statistic 82

EU electrolysis pilots from 2015 onward scaled up.

Statistic 83

Global H2 price index rose 20% 2021-2022.

Statistic 84

Green H2 projects announced tripled 2021-2023.

Statistic 85

2010-2020 H2 growth rate 3.5% CAGR globally.

Statistic 86

US fracking boosted H2 50% 2008-2018.

Statistic 87

EU H2 strategy post-2020 accelerated projects.

Statistic 88

Asia 70% of coal H2 historical dominance.

Statistic 89

H2 spot prices Europe $5-10/kg 2022 peak.

Statistic 90

Capacity utilization H2 plants 80-90% average.

Statistic 91

Global hydrogen production reached 95 million tonnes (Mt) in 2022, with over 99% being fossil-based.

Statistic 92

In 2021, worldwide hydrogen output totaled 90 Mt, mainly from steam methane reforming (SMR).

Statistic 93

Annual global H2 production capacity exceeded 100 Mt by end of 2023 estimates.

Statistic 94

Low-carbon hydrogen production was only 0.7 Mt in 2022, less than 1% of total.

Statistic 95

Global dedicated hydrogen production plants number around 1,700 worldwide.

Statistic 96

Hydrogen production from coal reached 37 Mt in 2022, mostly in China.

Statistic 97

Natural gas-based hydrogen production accounted for 58 Mt in 2022.

Statistic 98

Total global hydrogen demand matched production at 97 Mt in 2023 preliminary data.

Statistic 99

Byproduct hydrogen from chlor-alkali processes contributed 10 Mt annually.

Statistic 100

Electrolytic hydrogen production stood at 0.5 Mt in 2022 globally.

Statistic 101

Global H2 production from natural gas SMR was 76 Mt in 2021.

Statistic 102

Total H2 capacity announced globally exceeds 400 Mt by 2030.

Statistic 103

Byproduct H2 from ethylene production adds 3 Mt/year.

Statistic 104

Operational electrolysis capacity was 12 GW at end-2022.

Statistic 105

Hydrogen from methanol reforming negligible at <0.1 Mt.

Statistic 106

Global H2 output per capita averages 12 kg/person annually.

Statistic 107

Gas-based H2 with CCS pilots produced 0.02 Mt in 2022.

Statistic 108

Turkey produced 0.8 Mt H2 in 2022 for industry.

Statistic 109

2023 global H2 production estimated at 97 Mt.

Statistic 110

Dedicated H2 plants consume 6% of global natural gas.

Statistic 111

Chlorine industry byproducts 70% of electrolytic H2.

Statistic 112

Pipeline H2 capacity worldwide 5,000 km operational.

Statistic 113

Refinery H2 demand/production balance at 30 Mt.

Statistic 114

Global H2 from coke oven gas 5 Mt mainly China.

Statistic 115

Global hydrogen production projected to reach 180 Mt by 2030.

Statistic 116

Low-carbon H2 expected to hit 80 Mt by 2030 in Net Zero Scenario.

Statistic 117

Green hydrogen capacity to reach 560 GW electrolysis by 2030 (IRENA).

Statistic 118

Blue hydrogen production forecasted at 36 Mt by 2030.

Statistic 119

EU targets 10 Mt domestic green H2 and 10 Mt imports by 2030.

Statistic 120

US aims for 10 Mt clean H2 by 2030 via IRA incentives.

Statistic 121

China plans 200,000 tonnes green H2 by 2025, scaling to Mt by 2030.

Statistic 122

Global H2 demand projected to grow 6-fold to 600 Mt by 2050.

Statistic 123

Electrolysers deployment to 700 GW globally by 2050.

Statistic 124

80 Mt clean H2 supply needed by 2030 for 1.5C path.

Statistic 125

Hydrogen to cover 10% of energy needs by 2050.

Statistic 126

Australia 15 Mt H2 exports targeted by 2030.

Statistic 127

India 5 Mt green H2 by 2030 national plan.

Statistic 128

Japan 3 Mt H2 supply by 2030, mostly imported.

Statistic 129

Africa H2 production to 25 Mt by 2050 potential.

Statistic 130

Global electrolysis cost to $200/kW by 2050.

Statistic 131

H2 trade value $100 billion/year by 2030 forecast.

Statistic 132

500 Mt H2 demand by 2050 in IEA Stated Policies.

Statistic 133

Korea 5 Mt H2 economy by 2030 plan.

Statistic 134

Russia 2 Mt low-carbon H2 exports by 2024.

Statistic 135

Saudi 4 Mt H2 by 2035 NEOM project.

Statistic 136

UK 10 GW electrolysis domestic by 2030.

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While the world produced a staggering 95 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2022, over 99% of it came from fossil fuels, revealing a massive gap between our current reality and the clean energy future hydrogen promises.

Key Takeaways

Global hydrogen production reached 95 million tonnes (Mt) in 2022, with over 99% being fossil-based.
In 2021, worldwide hydrogen output totaled 90 Mt, mainly from steam methane reforming (SMR).
Annual global H2 production capacity exceeded 100 Mt by end of 2023 estimates.
Steam methane reforming dominates with 75% of global H2 production share.
Grey hydrogen from unabated natural gas SMR was 48 Mt in 2022.
Blue hydrogen with CCS represented less than 0.1 Mt in current production.
China produced 33 Mt of hydrogen in 2022, 35% of global total.
Europe generated 11 Mt hydrogen in 2022, mostly grey from gas.
United States output was 10 Mt in 2022, primarily for ammonia.
Global H2 production grew 5% annually from 2015-2022 average.
From 2000-2020, production doubled from 45 Mt to 90 Mt.
Low-emission H2 share stagnant at <1% over past decade.
Global hydrogen production projected to reach 180 Mt by 2030.
Low-carbon H2 expected to hit 80 Mt by 2030 in Net Zero Scenario.
Green hydrogen capacity to reach 560 GW electrolysis by 2030 (IRENA).

Global hydrogen production remains overwhelmingly fossil-fuel based, with minimal green output.

Economic Aspects

Levelized cost of green H2 to fall 50% to $1.5/kg by 2030.
Grey H2 production cost averages $1.5-2.5/kg globally in 2023.
Blue H2 with CCS costs $2-3/kg currently, competitive in gas-rich areas.
Green H2 capex for PEM electrolysers at $800/kW in 2023.
OPEX for SMR plants around $0.5/kg H2 output.
Global H2 market value estimated at $130 billion in 2022.
Investment in clean H2 projects reached $10 billion in 2022.
Coal H2 production costs $1.8/kg in China vs $3/kg elsewhere.
Subsidy needs for green H2: $20-50/kg until 2030 in high-cost regions.
Green H2 LCOH $0.8-1.2/kg by 2030 in best sites.
Natural gas price impacts grey H2 cost by 60%.
CCS adds $0.5-1/kg to blue H2 costs.
Electrolyser stack costs fell 40% 2019-2023.
H2 storage costs $10-15/kg capacity underground.
Ammonia as H2 carrier adds $0.3/kg transport cost.
Global subsidies for clean H2 $50 billion planned 2023-2030.
H2 pipeline conversion costs $0.5-1M/km.
LCOH green H2 $2/kg average 2023 falling fast.
H2 trucking cost parity diesel by 2030 forecast.
Electrolyser manufacturing capacity 50 GW/year 2025.
H2 liquefaction energy penalty 30% of LHV.

Economic Aspects Interpretation

The green hydrogen revolution is hurtling towards cost parity, potentially halving its price by 2030 to challenge the entrenched, gas-dependent grey market, but it's a high-stakes global poker game where subsidies, geography, and breakthrough tech will decide if we merely decarbonize fossil hydrogen or replace it altogether.

Feedstocks and Methods

Steam methane reforming dominates with 75% of global H2 production share.
Grey hydrogen from unabated natural gas SMR was 48 Mt in 2022.
Blue hydrogen with CCS represented less than 0.1 Mt in current production.
Green hydrogen via electrolysis was 0.1% of total output in 2023.
Coal gasification for hydrogen yielded 31% of global production in Asia.
Oil refinery byproduct hydrogen contributes 4-5 Mt per year worldwide.
Autothermal reforming (ATR) used in 10% of natural gas-based H2 plants.
Methane pyrolysis emerging method produced negligible volumes commercially.
Biomass gasification for H2 is piloted at 0.01 Mt scale globally.
Nuclear-assisted electrolysis potential but current share zero.
Partial oxidation method used in 5% of H2 plants worldwide.
Water electrolysis efficiency 60-80% for PEM and alkaline.
SMR hydrogen purity 99.99% post pressure swing adsorption.
Biomass-derived H2 costs $3-5/kg in demos.
Coal H2 via integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC).
Pink hydrogen from nuclear heat projected for future.
SMR with pre-combustion CCS demo scale 0.1 Mt.
Alkaline electrolysis 60% market share of electrolysers.
Solid oxide electrolysis efficiency >80% lab results.
Gasification H2/CO ratio adjusted via water-gas shift.
Photoelectrochemical H2 research stage, zero commercial.
Fermentation biohydrogen pilots <1 kg/day.

Feedstocks and Methods Interpretation

The hydrogen industry currently has the environmental ambition of a lazy Sunday, with over 95% of production still coming from fossil fuels, while cleaner alternatives are stuck on the drawing board with barely a cameo appearance.

Geographical Distribution

China produced 33 Mt of hydrogen in 2022, 35% of global total.
Europe generated 11 Mt hydrogen in 2022, mostly grey from gas.
United States output was 10 Mt in 2022, primarily for ammonia.
Middle East countries produced 8 Mt, leveraging cheap natural gas.
India hydrogen production at 6 Mt annually from coal and gas.
Japan imports most but produces 2 Mt domestically for refining.
Russia output 5 Mt, focused on export potential via pipelines.
Australia emerging with 0.5 Mt but plans for green H2 exports.
South Korea produced 1.5 Mt for steel and chemicals.
Africa total under 1 Mt, potential in North Africa for exports.
Turkey H2 output 0.8 Mt, Germany 2.5 Mt in 2022.
Saudi Arabia plans 1 Mt blue H2 by 2026.
Brazil byproduct H2 from ethanol at 0.2 Mt.
Canada produced 3 Mt, eyeing exports.
Ukraine pre-war H2 output 0.5 Mt from coke oven gas.
Egypt targeting 1.5 Mt green H2 exports by 2030.
Indonesia coal H2 at 0.3 Mt annually.
Netherlands H2 production 0.9 Mt in 2022.
UAE blue H2 ambitions 1 Mt by 2031.
Chile green H2 potential 25 GW solar for exports.
Norway H2 from hydropower electrolysis growing.
Poland coal H2 transitioning slowly 1 Mt.
Morocco H2 strategy for 4 GW electrolysis by 2030.

Geographical Distribution Interpretation

The current global hydrogen landscape is a bewildering mix of carbon-heavy present realities and earnest green promises, where China industrially dominates, the West strategically plans, and the sun-drenched Global South eyes a future of shipping sunshine in pipelines.

Historical Trends

Global H2 production grew 5% annually from 2015-2022 average.
From 2000-2020, production doubled from 45 Mt to 90 Mt.
Low-emission H2 share stagnant at <1% over past decade.
China H2 output increased 300% from 2010-2022.
European production flat at 10-11 Mt since 2015.
US H2 production rose 20% from 2018-2022 due to shale gas.
Coal-based H2 declined 10% in OECD countries 2010-2020.
Byproduct H2 from industry grew 15% in Asia 2005-2020.
Global capacity additions averaged 2 Mt/year pre-2020.
Electrolysis capacity tripled from 2015-2023 to 15 GW.
Global H2 production up 2.6% in 2020 despite COVID.
From 1990-2010, H2 demand grew 50% to 60 Mt.
Electrolysis capacity grew from 1 GW in 2010 to 10 GW 2020.
Middle East H2 production doubled 2005-2015.
Japan H2 imports started 2010s for fuel cells.
EU electrolysis pilots from 2015 onward scaled up.
Global H2 price index rose 20% 2021-2022.
Green H2 projects announced tripled 2021-2023.
2010-2020 H2 growth rate 3.5% CAGR globally.
US fracking boosted H2 50% 2008-2018.
EU H2 strategy post-2020 accelerated projects.
Asia 70% of coal H2 historical dominance.
H2 spot prices Europe $5-10/kg 2022 peak.
Capacity utilization H2 plants 80-90% average.

Historical Trends Interpretation

Despite soaring ambitions and a feverish sprint for green hydrogen, the cold reality is that the world’s ballooning production remains overwhelmingly dirty, making our clean energy future feel like a distant mirage fueled by yesterday's pollution.

Production Volumes

Global hydrogen production reached 95 million tonnes (Mt) in 2022, with over 99% being fossil-based.
In 2021, worldwide hydrogen output totaled 90 Mt, mainly from steam methane reforming (SMR).
Annual global H2 production capacity exceeded 100 Mt by end of 2023 estimates.
Low-carbon hydrogen production was only 0.7 Mt in 2022, less than 1% of total.
Global dedicated hydrogen production plants number around 1,700 worldwide.
Hydrogen production from coal reached 37 Mt in 2022, mostly in China.
Natural gas-based hydrogen production accounted for 58 Mt in 2022.
Total global hydrogen demand matched production at 97 Mt in 2023 preliminary data.
Byproduct hydrogen from chlor-alkali processes contributed 10 Mt annually.
Electrolytic hydrogen production stood at 0.5 Mt in 2022 globally.
Global H2 production from natural gas SMR was 76 Mt in 2021.
Total H2 capacity announced globally exceeds 400 Mt by 2030.
Byproduct H2 from ethylene production adds 3 Mt/year.
Operational electrolysis capacity was 12 GW at end-2022.
Hydrogen from methanol reforming negligible at <0.1 Mt.
Global H2 output per capita averages 12 kg/person annually.
Gas-based H2 with CCS pilots produced 0.02 Mt in 2022.
Turkey produced 0.8 Mt H2 in 2022 for industry.
2023 global H2 production estimated at 97 Mt.
Dedicated H2 plants consume 6% of global natural gas.
Chlorine industry byproducts 70% of electrolytic H2.
Pipeline H2 capacity worldwide 5,000 km operational.
Refinery H2 demand/production balance at 30 Mt.
Global H2 from coke oven gas 5 Mt mainly China.

Production Volumes Interpretation

We’ve built an entire hydrogen economy with remarkable scale and precision, yet it remains overwhelmingly a fossil fuel party with a tiny, awkward green hydrogen corner where we’re still figuring out how to turn on the lights.

Projections and Targets

Global hydrogen production projected to reach 180 Mt by 2030.
Low-carbon H2 expected to hit 80 Mt by 2030 in Net Zero Scenario.
Green hydrogen capacity to reach 560 GW electrolysis by 2030 (IRENA).
Blue hydrogen production forecasted at 36 Mt by 2030.
EU targets 10 Mt domestic green H2 and 10 Mt imports by 2030.
US aims for 10 Mt clean H2 by 2030 via IRA incentives.
China plans 200,000 tonnes green H2 by 2025, scaling to Mt by 2030.
Global H2 demand projected to grow 6-fold to 600 Mt by 2050.
Electrolysers deployment to 700 GW globally by 2050.
80 Mt clean H2 supply needed by 2030 for 1.5C path.
Hydrogen to cover 10% of energy needs by 2050.
Australia 15 Mt H2 exports targeted by 2030.
India 5 Mt green H2 by 2030 national plan.
Japan 3 Mt H2 supply by 2030, mostly imported.
Africa H2 production to 25 Mt by 2050 potential.
Global electrolysis cost to $200/kW by 2050.
H2 trade value $100 billion/year by 2030 forecast.
500 Mt H2 demand by 2050 in IEA Stated Policies.
Korea 5 Mt H2 economy by 2030 plan.
Russia 2 Mt low-carbon H2 exports by 2024.
Saudi 4 Mt H2 by 2035 NEOM project.
UK 10 GW electrolysis domestic by 2030.

Projections and Targets Interpretation

While the global appetite for hydrogen is growing faster than a politician's promise, the race is actually on to see if our clean production can keep up with—and hopefully overtake—our still-greasy ambition.

Sources & References

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