Natural resources play a crucial role in the global economy, serving as the foundation for industries ranging from energy to manufacturing. These resources can be categorized into renewable ones like solar and wind energy, and nonrenewable ones such as fossil fuels and mined minerals.
Investors can access natural resource markets through mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and companies specializing in extraction and refinement. Below, we explore the ten countries with the most valuable natural resource reserves based on total estimated value as of 2021, according to Statista.
- Russia – $75 Trillion
Russia boasts the highest estimated natural resource reserves in the world, valued at approximately $75 trillion. The country is rich in coal, oil, natural gas, gold, timber, and rare earth metals. It holds the world’s largest proven natural gas reserves and the second-largest gold reserves, making it a powerhouse in global resource markets. Russia is also the third-largest producer of crude oil and a major supplier of industrial diamonds.
- United States – $45 Trillion
With an estimated $45 trillion in natural resources, the U.S. is a leader in coal production and has vast reserves of timber, copper, gold, oil, and natural gas. Other key resources include lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, iron, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, and zinc. The country remains a top producer of fossil fuels and rare earth elements essential for modern technology.
- Saudi Arabia – $34.4 Trillion
Saudi Arabia, a dominant player in the global oil market, holds approximately 15% of the world’s proven oil reserves. With natural resource wealth valued at $34.4 trillion, the kingdom’s economy is heavily dependent on oil exports. Other valuable resources include copper, feldspar, phosphate, silver, sulfur, tungsten, and zinc.
- Canada – $33.2 Trillion
Canada’s natural resource reserves are worth an estimated $33.2 trillion. The country has the third-largest oil deposits in the world and is a major producer of coal, uranium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. Canada is also known for its industrial minerals, such as gypsum, limestone, rock salt, and potash, and has a significant natural gas industry.
- Iran – $27.3 Trillion
Iran holds vast oil and natural gas reserves, ranking as the world’s second-largest natural gas producer. With natural resources valued at $27.3 trillion, Iran also possesses coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, and sulfur. The country’s economy benefits from extensive arable land, pistachios, saffron, and fruit production.
- China – $23 Trillion
China’s natural resource reserves are estimated at $23 trillion, with 90% of them consisting of coal and rare earth metals. The country is also rich in oil, natural gas, gold, aluminum, timber, and arable land. Thanks to its water resources, China has the world’s largest hydropower potential, making it a major player in renewable energy.
- Brazil – $21.8 Trillion
Brazil has abundant natural resources, valued at $21.8 trillion. It is one of the top producers of gold, iron, oil, and uranium, with vast mining industries focused on bauxite, platinum, copper, tin, and timber. The country also has immense hydroelectric power capacity and is a leading global agricultural exporter.
- Australia – $19.9 Trillion
Australia’s natural resources are worth approximately $19.9 trillion. It is the largest net exporter of coal and has significant reserves of copper, iron ore, gold, uranium, and rare earth elements. The country is also a major producer of liquified natural gas and has rich deposits of alumina, tin, silver, nickel, tungsten, and diamonds.
- Iraq – $15.9 Trillion
Iraq’s economy is heavily reliant on its petroleum industry, with natural resource wealth estimated at $15.9 trillion. The country ranks as OPEC’s second-largest crude oil producer and has substantial reserves of natural gas, phosphates, and sulfur. Crude oil exports account for a major portion of Iraq’s government revenue.
- Venezuela – $14.3 Trillion
Venezuela has natural resource reserves valued at $14.3 trillion, with the world’s largest proven oil reserves. However, production has declined due to U.S. sanctions. The country is also rich in natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, hydropower, and diamonds.
Final Thoughts
Natural resources are a critical component of a country’s economic strength. As global demand for commodities continues to grow, nations with vast reserves stand to benefit significantly. Whether through mining, energy production, or agriculture, these ten countries play a key role in the global supply chain.
