How much of the world’s proven oil reserves is located in the Persian Gulf region?

The Persian Gulf region is estimated to hold nearly three-fifths of the world’s proven oil reserves.12

While some broader regional estimates for the Middle East suggest approximately 50 percent of global reserves, the specific countries surrounding the Persian Gulf collectively account for the higher figure of nearly 60 percent. This concentration of petroleum resources has made the region a focal point of global economic and strategic importance, as well as a site of significant geopolitical tension.312