Top 10 Countries with the Most Valuable Natural Resources in 2025: Discover Their Worth

Natural resources are essential raw materials used globally to produce everything from basic goods to advanced products.

These resources are classified as renewable—like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, which replenish naturally—and nonrenewable, such as fossil fuels and mined minerals that exist in limited quantities.

Countries worldwide possess diverse natural resources, and investors can tap into these through specialized funds and companies focused on resource extraction and management.

Key Insights

• Natural resources hold immense value as the foundation for producing goods and services.
• They exist naturally and are either renewable or finite in availability.
• Mining is a critical industry for many leading resource-rich nations.
• Oil and gas reserves significantly contribute to the natural resource wealth of these countries.

Based on 2021 data from Statista, here are the top 10 countries with the highest estimated value of natural resources:

United States Natural Resources Overview

The U.S. leads globally with the largest proven coal reserves and is abundant in copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber, and fertile land.

1. Russia

Russia tops the list with natural resource reserves valued at approximately $75 trillion. This wealth includes coal, oil, vast natural gas fields, gold, timber, and rare earth metals. The Ministry of Natural Resources valued its mineral reserves at $1.44 trillion in 2018.

Holding the world's largest proven natural gas reserves at 1.32 quadrillion cubic feet (about 20% of global supply), Russia also ranks second in gold reserves with 6,800 tons as of 2023.

In 2020, Russia was the third-largest crude oil producer, supplying 12% of the world’s oil, with proven reserves estimated at 107.8 billion barrels. It also leads in industrial diamond production, accounting for 37% of global output in 2022.

2. United States

The U.S. natural resources are valued at $45 trillion, dominated by timber and coal, with the country being the world’s top coal producer and holder of the largest proven coal reserves as of 2020.

Other significant resources include substantial deposits of copper, gold, oil, natural gas, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, and zinc.

3. Saudi Arabia

With resources valued at $34.4 trillion, Saudi Arabia is a key player in the global oil market, holding 15% of the world’s oil reserves in 2020. Its economy heavily depends on oil exports.

Additional resources include copper, feldspar, phosphate, silver, sulfur, tungsten, and zinc.

4. Canada

Canada’s natural resources are estimated at $33.2 trillion. It ranks third globally in oil deposits, after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, and has a rich variety of industrial minerals such as gypsum, limestone, rock salt, and potash, alongside coal and uranium.

Metals like copper, lead, nickel, zinc, gold, and silver are also abundant, with Canada being a leading natural gas producer.

5. Iran

Iran’s natural resource wealth is valued at approximately $27.3 trillion. It was the fifth-largest crude oil producer within OPEC in 2021 and the world's second-largest natural gas producer.

Besides oil and gas, Iran has coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur, fertile land, and notable agricultural products like pistachios and saffron.

Economic Connection

The global economy’s expansion fuels increased demand for natural resources, intertwining economic growth with resource availability and management.

6. China

China’s natural resources are valued at $23 trillion, with 90% comprising coal and rare earth metals. Timber and arable land are also significant assets.

Its vast water resources provide exceptional hydropower potential, and it holds considerable oil, natural gas, gold, aluminum, and mineral deposits.

7. Brazil

Brazil’s natural resources, worth around $21.8 trillion, include gold, iron, oil, and uranium. In 2021, it ranked ninth in oil production worldwide.

Forests cover 61.9% of its land, supporting a thriving mining industry focused on bauxite, platinum, copper, gold, iron, tin, and valuable timber resources. Hydroelectric power capacity is also extensive.

8. Australia

Australia holds approximately $19.9 trillion in natural resources, encompassing coal, timber, copper, iron ore, gold, and uranium.

It is a significant producer of oil and liquefied natural gas, with proven oil reserves of 2.4 billion barrels at the end of 2021, and the world’s largest net exporter of coal (29% of global exports).

Additional resources include alumina, tin, silver, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, and diamonds.

9. Iraq

Iraq’s desert terrain contains $15.9 trillion worth of resources, including petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, and sulfur.

As the second-largest crude oil producer in OPEC, Iraq holds the world’s sixth-largest proven oil reserves and relies heavily on oil exports for national revenue.

10. Venezuela

Venezuela’s natural resources are estimated at $14.3 trillion, comprising iron, natural gas, and oil.

It holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves as of 2023, though production has declined due to sanctions. Other resources include gold, bauxite, hydropower, and diamonds.

Which Country Has the Highest Natural Resource Value?

Russia leads globally with natural resources valued at $75 trillion, including vast reserves of crude oil, natural gas, coal, and rare earth metals. In 2023, it was also the top producer of industrial diamonds.

Examples of Renewable Natural Resources

Renewable resources include fresh water, soil, timber, solar energy, and wind power. These resources naturally replenish despite human use, unlike finite non-renewable resources such as metal ores and fossil fuels.

Importance of Forests as a Natural Resource

Forests provide essential timber for construction and play a vital ecological role by producing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating climate, and supporting biodiversity.

Conclusion

Natural resources are a cornerstone of national economies. Countries rich in minerals, oil, and rare metals can leverage these assets to advance economically, while nations with fewer resources depend on global markets to meet their needs.

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