Falling to a series low
Europe Primary Energy Consumption moved from 84.05 Exajoules in 2015 to 77.85 Exajoules in 2023 (−7.4%), an average of −1% a year. The series high was 86.21 Exajoules in 2018 and the low 77.85 Exajoules in 2023.
What Europe Primary Energy Consumption shows
Europe Primary Energy Consumption was 77.85 Exajoules in 2023, down 2.2% on 2022. The Europe regional primary energy consumption over the 2015–2023 period reflects a diverse and mature energy market, highlighting overall energy demand patterns, consumption fluctuations, and long-term changes across the region.
A 9.7% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2023) is 8.36 Exajoules. The sharpest single-year move was −6.8% in 2020.
Germany leads the region
Within Europe, Germany has the highest value in 2023 at 11.41 Exajoules, 14.7% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Primary Energy Consumption by country, 2023
Exajoules. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Primary Energy Consumption by region
Exajoules, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Europe Primary Energy Consumption by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Exajoules.
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| Year | Exajoules | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 77.85 | −2.2% |
| 2022 | 79.60 | −4.1% |
| 2021 | 83.01 | +4.9% |
| 2020 | 79.16 | −6.8% |
| 2019 | 84.90 | −1.5% |
| 2018Peak | 86.21 | 0% |
| 2017 | 86.19 | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 85.06 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 84.05 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries.
The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
About this indicator
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
Measured in Exajoules (EJ), the dataset represents the total primary energy consumed across Europe, including major economies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, and remaining European countries.
Europe recorded primary energy consumption of 84.05 EJ in 2015, increasing to 85.06 EJ in 2016 and 86.19 EJ in 2017. Consumption reached 86.21 EJ in 2018, marking the highest value during the observed period. In 2019, regional consumption declined to 84.90 EJ and further decreased to 79.16 EJ in 2020 due to reduced economic activity and changing energy demand conditions. Consumption recovered to 83.01 EJ in 2021 before declining to 79.60 EJ in 2022 and 77.85 EJ in 2023, reflecting ongoing adjustments in regional energy consumption.
Among major economies, Germany remained the largest contributor, with consumption decreasing from 13.61 EJ in 2015 to 11.41 EJ in 2023. The United Kingdom declined from 8.21 EJ to 6.95 EJ, while France decreased from 10.16 EJ to 8.66 EJ. Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden showed relatively stable but slightly declining patterns. Turkey recorded growth from 5.72 EJ in 2015 to 7.00 EJ in 2023, indicating increasing energy demand.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a gradual reduction in Europe’s primary energy consumption, influenced by energy efficiency improvements, economic conditions, and transition toward cleaner energy systems. The region’s future energy priorities focus on renewable energy adoption, infrastructure modernization, and improved energy resilience. The dataset supports comparative analysis, policy evaluation, investment planning, and sustainability assessments, providing valuable insights into Europe’s evolving energy landscape and long-term transformation toward a more efficient and sustainable energy ecosystem.
- Indicator
- Primary Energy Consumption
- Region
- Europe
- Unit
- Exajoules
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Europe Primary Energy Consumption?
Definition- Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
What was Europe Primary Energy Consumption in 2023?
Europe Primary Energy Consumption was 77.85 Exajoules in 2023, down 2.2% on 2022.
How has Europe Primary Energy Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?
Europe Primary Energy Consumption moved from 84.05 Exajoules in 2015 to 77.85 Exajoules in 2023 (−7.4%), an average of −1% a year. The series high was 86.21 Exajoules in 2018 and the low 77.85 Exajoules in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest Europe Primary Energy Consumption?
The highest value was 86.21 Exajoules in 2018 and the lowest was 77.85 Exajoules in 2023.
What does the Europe Primary Energy Consumption data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries. Excluded: The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
Where does the Europe Primary Energy Consumption 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 Exajoules.
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