- Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year.
Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 14.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 2.7% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in Africa Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns, reflects a relatively low but diverse energy consumption profile shaped by differences in industrialization, economic development, urbanization, infrastructure availability, and energy access across the continent.
Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 15.10 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 14.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−5.3%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 15.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2017 and the low 14.10 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2020) is 1.20 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −7.2% in 2020.
Within Africa, South Africa has the highest value in 2023 at 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita.
Country ranking
Gigajoule per Capita. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
Africa average, 2023: 14.30 Gigajoule per Capita. Per-capita values are averages, not additive totals.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Gigajoule per Capita↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 80.30 | −1.2% | |
| 2 | Egypt | 34.90 | −2.8% |
By region
Gigajoule per Capita, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Gigajoule per Capita.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Gigajoule per Capita | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 14.30 | −2.7% |
| 2022 | 14.70 | −1.3% |
| 2021 | 14.90 | +5.7% |
| 2020 Trough | 14.10 | −7.2% |
| 2019 | 15.20 | −0.7% |
| 2018 | 15.30 | 0% |
| 2017Peak | 15.30 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 15.20 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 15.10 | — |
Data definition
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita — - Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year. It is expressed as energy per person, typically measured in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) per capita or gigajoules (GJ) per capita, depending on the dataset. This indicator reflects the average energy use of an individual in a country and provides insight into national energy intensity, living standards, industrialization levels, and economic structure. It is widely used to compare energy consumption patterns across countries and to assess trends in energy demand relative to population size.
The data includes total primary energy consumption from all major sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy sources including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. It considers the full national energy supply before conversion losses and divides it by the mid-year population to derive per capita values. The indicator covers energy used across all sectors, including residential, industrial, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. It reflects both direct energy use and energy used for electricity generation and other transformation processes, ensuring a comprehensive representation of national energy demand per person.
The data excludes energy consumption after transformation into final energy forms such as electricity and refined petroleum products when considered separately from primary inputs. It does not isolate sector-specific per capita consumption (e.g., industrial or household-only energy use). The indicator does not account for energy efficiency, affordability, or access disparities among population groups. It also does not measure emissions, environmental impacts, or energy service quality such as reliability and continuity of supply. Differences in statistical methodologies, conversion factors, and population estimation methods across countries may result in minor variations in comparability.
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita — - Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year. It is expressed as energy per person, typically measured in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) per capita or gigajoules (GJ) per capita, depending on the dataset. This indicator reflects the average energy use of an individual in a country and provides insight into national energy intensity, living standards, industrialization levels, and economic structure. It is widely used to compare energy consumption patterns across countries and to assess trends in energy demand relative to population size.
At the regional level, consumption decreases from 15.1 GJ per capita in 2015 to 14.3 GJ in 2023, reflecting the combined effects of rapid population growth, uneven economic progress, and varying levels of industrial and commercial activity.
Between 2015 and 2019, regional consumption remains largely stable, rising slightly from 15.1 GJ in 2015 to 15.2 GJ in 2016 and 15.3 GJ in both 2017 and 2018, before easing marginally to 15.2 GJ in 2019. This trend reflects moderate economic expansion, gradual industrial development, improving transport activity, and growing urban energy demand, although limited infrastructure and restricted energy access continued to constrain per capita consumption.
In 2020, regional consumption declines to 14.1 GJ per capita as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts manufacturing, mining, transportation, trade, and commercial activities. Recovery begins in 2021, with consumption increasing to 14.9 GJ, before moderating to 14.7 GJ in 2022 and 14.3 GJ in 2023, indicating an uneven recovery amid persistent structural challenges.
Among the major economies, South Africa records the highest per capita energy consumption, declining from 91.3 GJ in 2015 to 80.3 GJ in 2023, reflecting industrial restructuring, electricity supply constraints, and efficiency improvements. Egypt maintains a moderate consumption profile, fluctuating between 33.1 GJ and 37.9 GJ during the period before reaching 34.9 GJ in 2023, supported by infrastructure development, industrial activity, and expanding electricity generation.
Overall, Africa continues to exhibit comparatively low per capita energy consumption, with future demand expected to be driven by industrialization, urbanization, renewable energy deployment, infrastructure investment, and improved access to modern energy services across the continent.
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Definition- Primary Energy Consumption per Capita refers to the total amount of primary energy consumed within a country divided by its total population in a given year. It is expressed as energy per person, typically measured in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) per capita or gigajoules (GJ) per capita, depending on the dataset. This indicator reflects the average energy use of an individual in a country and provides insight into national energy intensity, living standards, industrialization levels, and economic structure. It is widely used to compare energy consumption patterns across countries and to assess trends in energy demand relative to population size.
Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 14.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 2.7% on 2022.
Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 15.10 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 14.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−5.3%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 15.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2017 and the low 14.10 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 15.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2017 and the lowest was 14.10 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
Included: The data includes total primary energy consumption from all major sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy sources including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. It considers the full national energy supply before conversion losses and divides it by the mid-year population to derive per capita values. The indicator covers energy used across all sectors, including residential, industrial, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. It reflects both direct energy use and energy used for electricity generation and other transformation processes, ensuring a comprehensive representation of national energy demand per person. Excluded: The data excludes energy consumption after transformation into final energy forms such as electricity and refined petroleum products when considered separately from primary inputs. It does not isolate sector-specific per capita consumption (e.g., industrial or household-only energy use). The indicator does not account for energy efficiency, affordability, or access disparities among population groups. It also does not measure emissions, environmental impacts, or energy service quality such as reliability and continuity of supply. Differences in statistical methodologies, conversion factors, and population estimation methods across countries may result in minor variations in comparability.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Gigajoule per Capita.
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