MUMBAI -- Energy-hungry India overtook Japan to become the world's third-largest consumer of oil in 2015, behind the U.S. and China, according to BP's Statistical Review of World Energy.

India's crude oil consumption rose 8.1% on the year in 2015 to 4.16 million barrels per day, compared with Japan's 4.15 barrels per day, which fell 3.9%, year-on year.

The biggest consumer, the U.S., slurped up 19.39 million barrels per day last year, up 1.6% from 2014, while China's consumption rose 6.3% to 11.96 million barrels a day.

Global oil consumption grew by 1.9 million barrels per day, or 1.9% -- nearly double the recent historical average of 1% and significantly stronger than the increase of 1.1 million barrels per day logged in 2014, the report said, adding that production grew by 2.8 million barrels per day, led by increases in the Middle East and North America.

Worldwide last year, production growth significantly outpaced the increase in oil consumption for a second consecutive year.

"The relative strength of consumption was driven by the [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] countries, where consumption increased by 510,000 barrels per day, up 1.1%, compared with an average decline of 1.1% over the past decade," it said. "Growth was well above recent historical averages in the U.S. -- up 1.6%, or 290,000 barrels per day -- and the EU -- up 1.5%, or 200,000 barrels per day -- while Japan -- down 3.9%, or 160,000 barrels per day -- recorded the largest decline in oil consumption."

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for 74% of global growth, with China once again contributing most to the growth in global oil consumption.

Production in Iraq -- 750,000 barrels per day -- and Saudi Arabia -- 510,000 barrels per day -- rose to record levels, driving OPEC production up by 1.6 million barrels per day to 38.2 million barrels, exceeding the previous record in 2012.

Oil on top

The review pointed out that oil is the world's most popular fuel, accounting for 32.9% of total energy consumption, followed by coal and natural gas.

The strength in oil demand was most pronounced for the consumer-focused fuels, particularly gasoline and jet fuel, with lower prices giving a lift to consumers' purchasing power. Growth in diesel consumption, which is more dependent on industrial activity, was more subdued.

"The main source of strength for coal was developing Asia outside China. India led the way, with both consumption and production growing solidly. As a result, India overtook the U.S. as the world's second-largest coal consumer," it said.

Global energy demand grew by just 1.0% in 2015, similar to the 1.1% rate of growth seen in 2014, but almost half the 1.9% average rate seen over the past 10 years.

Emerging economies now account for 58.1% of the world's energy consumption, according to the report. Chinese consumption growth slowed to just 1.5%, while India recorded another robust increase in consumption, up 5.2%. Among OECD countries, Japan's energy use fell to its lowest level since 1991, declining 1.2% from the previous year.