- 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.
Australia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 227.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 0.3% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in Australia Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns reflects a very high but gradually declining energy consumption profile influenced by structural economic shifts, energy efficiency improvements, and changes in industrial output.
Australia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 242 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 227.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−5.9%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 242 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the low 220.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2021.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2021) is 21.30 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −6.8% in 2020.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, Australia ranks 8 for 2023, behind Singapore (577 Gigajoule per Capita) and UAE (539.4 Gigajoule per Capita). The global figure for 2023 is 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita, so Australia is above it.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Gigajoule per Capita.
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| Year | Gigajoule per Capita | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 227.7 | −0.3% |
| 2022 | 228.4 | +3.5% |
| 2021 Trough | 220.7 | −0.7% |
| 2020 | 222.3 | −6.8% |
| 2019 | 238.5 | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 234.2 | −0.1% |
| 2017 | 234.5 | −1.9% |
| 2016 | 239 | −1.2% |
| 2015Peak | 242 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. Australia is highlighted.
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.
It decreased from 242 GJ per capita in 2015 to 227.7 GJ in 2023 indicating an overall downward trend despite short term fluctuations. From 2015 to 2019 consumption remained relatively stable between 234 and 242 GJ per capita supported by mining activity and energy intensive industries. In 2020 consumption dropped sharply to 222.3 GJ per capita due to pandemic related disruptions in industrial production and transport activities. From 2021 to 2023 consumption partially recovered reaching 220.7 228.4 and 227.7 GJ per capita respectively reflecting gradual economic normalization and efficiency gains. Despite recovery levels remain below earlier peaks indicating structural transition toward less energy intensive economic activities and improved efficiency across sectors. Australia's high per capita energy consumption reflects its resource rich economy large geographic scale and historically energy intensive sectors such as mining metals and heavy industry. The dataset highlights the importance of efficiency improvements and decarbonization efforts across key sectors. From a long term perspective the trend shows gradual structural shifts toward services and cleaner energy adoption although total demand remains relatively high compared to global averages. This dataset is useful for evaluating energy efficiency trends supporting climate policy analysis and understanding long term energy transition pathways in developed economies. It also provides a baseline for comparing energy intensity across regions and assessing sustainability outcomes in high consumption economies supporting future policy development and energy transition strategies across national energy systems in the long term outlook globally.
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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.
Australia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 227.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 0.3% on 2022.
Australia Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 242 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 227.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−5.9%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 242 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the low 220.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2021.
The highest value was 242 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the lowest was 220.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2021.
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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