Petroleum Business Review

Abstract The oil price fluctuations are a debatable issue among scholars. Understanding the appropriate utilization of underground resources is paramount, considering their abundance and historical significance as a crucial source of financial income for Iran. However, oil shocks pose challenges to petroleum exporting nations due to fluctuating oil prices and their reliance on the global economy. This study employs Econometrics models and auto-regression analysis to investigate whether oil shocks significantly affect sustainable development in OPEC countries during 2000-2019. Findings reveal a 'resource curse' affecting the analyzed nations, with rising oil prices having no substantial impact on their gross domestic product. Furthermore, increased oil revenues drive inflation, impeding urbanization and exacerbating inequality (Gini coefficient), indicative of the 'Dutch disease phenomenon. In conclusion, policymakers should prioritize the economy's size and reduce investment risks by formulating attainable long-term plans concentrated on sustainable development indicators, aiming for more stable progress. Oil shocks notably influence the sustainable development of petroleum-exporting countries.