In 1938, how many countries combined to account for 94% of the world's oil production?

In 1938, how many countries combined to account for 94% of the world's oil production?

• A. 6
• B. 8
• C. 10
• D. 12

Answer: (B)

Oil production in 1938 was highly concentrated in a small group of nations. The large, productive fields and established infrastructure in a handful of countries meant that almost all global output came from those eight producers. That clustering—rather than a broad spread across many nations—is why eight countries together accounted for about 94% of world oil production. This reflects the prewar oil map, where dominant players like the United States and several others controlled the bulk of supply, before Middle Eastern reserves reshaped the balance in the following decades.

Oil production in 1938 was highly concentrated in a small group of nations. The large, productive fields and established infrastructure in a handful of countries meant that almost all global output came from those eight producers. That clustering—rather than a broad spread across many nations—is why eight countries together accounted for about 94% of world oil production. This reflects the prewar oil map, where dominant players like the United States and several others controlled the bulk of supply, before Middle Eastern reserves reshaped the balance in the following decades.