- 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.
China Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 119.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 6.6% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in China Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns reflects one of the most significant upward trajectories among major global economies, driven by rapid industrialization, urban expansion, and rising living standards.
China Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 90.80 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 119.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+31.9%), an average of +3.5% a year. The series high was 119.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 90.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 29.20 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was +6.6% in 2023.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, China ranks 20 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 China is above it.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 119.8 | +6.6% |
| 2022 | 112.4 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | 110.7 | +5.6% |
| 2020 | 104.8 | +2.9% |
| 2019 | 101.8 | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 97.60 | +4.3% |
| 2017 | 93.60 | +3.3% |
| 2016 Trough | 90.60 | −0.2% |
| 2015 | 90.80 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. China 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.
The dataset illustrates consistent long-term growth in per capita energy consumption, with only minor short-term variations.
In 2015, China’s per capita energy consumption stood at 90.8 GJ, followed by a slight dip to 90.6 in 2016. From 2017 onward, a clear upward trend emerged, reaching 93.6 in 2017 and 97.6 in 2018, indicating accelerating energy demand. Growth continued in 2019 at 101.8 and 104.8 in 2020, reflecting sustained industrial activity and infrastructure expansion even during periods of global disruption. In 2021, consumption rose further to 110.7, followed by 112.4 in 2022 and a peak of 119.8 GJ per capita in 2023.
Overall, the increase from 90.8 to 119.8 GJ per capita highlights a substantial structural rise in energy intensity per person. This growth is closely linked to China’s expanding manufacturing base, electrification of transport systems, increased urban energy demand, and greater reliance on diverse energy sources. Despite improvements in energy efficiency and renewable integration, total per capita consumption continues to rise due to scale effects.
The dataset indicates that China remains in a phase of energy-intensive development, where efficiency gains are often offset by rapid demand growth. However, the gradual moderation in growth rate in later years suggests a potential transition toward more balanced energy consumption patterns.
From an analytical perspective, the data provides critical insight into China’s role in shaping global energy demand trends and highlights the ongoing challenge of aligning economic growth with sustainable energy consumption pathways.
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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.
China Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 119.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 6.6% on 2022.
China Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 90.80 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 119.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+31.9%), an average of +3.5% a year. The series high was 119.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 90.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016.
The highest value was 119.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the lowest was 90.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016.
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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