Rising to a series high
China Coal Production moved from 3,746 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 4,710 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+25.7%), an average of +2.9% a year. The series high was 4,710 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 3,411 Million Tonnes in 2016.
What China Coal Production shows
China Coal Production was 4,710 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 3.3% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset of China from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s coal mining industry, highlighting annual production volumes, output trends, and developments across the coal sector. Measured in billion tonnes, the dataset represents the total quantity of coal produced from domestic mines each year.
A 27.6% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 1,299 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +10.5% in 2022.
Ranks 1 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, China ranks 1 for 2023. It accounts for 51.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
China Coal Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 4,710 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 4,559 | +10.5% |
| 2021 | 4,126 | +5.7% |
| 2020 | 3,902 | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 3,846 | +4% |
| 2018 | 3,698 | +4.9% |
| 2017 | 3,524 | +3.3% |
| 2016 Trough | 3,411 | −9% |
| 2015 | 3,747 | — |
Regional context
How China compares in Asia-Pacific
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. China is highlighted.
1China4,710
2India1,011
3Indonesia775.2
4Australia455.8
5Mongolia83.20
6Vietnam48.20
7Thailand12.80
8New Zealand2.60
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time.
The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
About this indicator
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
It serves as an important indicator of China’s energy sector, reflecting mining activity, production capacity, industrial demand, and the continued importance of coal within the country’s energy mix.
China produced 3.75 billion tonnes of coal in 2015, declining to 3.41 billion tonnes in 2016 before recovering to 3.52 billion tonnes in 2017 and 3.70 billion tonnes in 2018. Production continued to increase to 3.85 billion tonnes in 2019 and 3.90 billion tonnes in 2020, followed by stronger growth to 4.13 billion tonnes in 2021, 4.56 billion tonnes in 2022, and a record 4.71 billion tonnes in 2023.
Overall, the dataset highlights sustained growth in China’s coal production following the temporary decline in 2016. Increasing domestic demand for electricity, industrial expansion, and energy security objectives supported higher mining output throughout the later years of the assessment period. Continued investment in coal production capacity also contributed to rising output despite the country’s ongoing expansion of renewable energy resources.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating China’s coal production outlook, analyzing mining sector performance, and assessing long-term developments within global energy markets. It supports market research, investment evaluation, strategic planning, and policy development while providing valuable insights for researchers, government agencies, mining companies, and industry stakeholders monitoring production trends, resource utilization, and the evolving role of coal within China’s energy sector.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Country
- China
- Region
- Asia-Pacific
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is China Coal Production?
Definition- Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
What was China Coal Production in 2023?
China Coal Production was 4,710 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 3.3% on 2022.
How has China Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
China Coal Production moved from 3,746 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 4,710 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+25.7%), an average of +2.9% a year. The series high was 4,710 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 3,411 Million Tonnes in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest China Coal Production?
The highest value was 4,710 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 3,411 Million Tonnes in 2016.
What does the China Coal Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Where does the China Coal Production data come from?
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 Million Tonnes.
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