Falling to a series low
Germany Primary Energy Consumption moved from 13.61 Exajoules in 2015 to 11.41 Exajoules in 2023 (−16.2%), an average of −2.2% a year. The series high was 14.00 Exajoules in 2017 and the low 11.41 Exajoules in 2023.
What Germany Primary Energy Consumption shows
Germany Primary Energy Consumption was 11.41 Exajoules in 2023, down 7.2% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption dataset of Germany from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s energy consumption landscape, highlighting total energy demand, consumption patterns, and long-term changes in the overall energy system.
A 18.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2023) is 2.59 Exajoules. The sharpest single-year move was −7.2% in 2023.
Ranks 9 of 37 countries covered
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, Germany ranks 9 for 2023, behind China (170.7 Exajoules) and U.S. (94.28 Exajoules). It accounts for 1.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Germany Primary Energy Consumption by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Exajoules.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Exajoules | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 11.41 | −7.2% |
| 2022 | 12.29 | −3.7% |
| 2021 | 12.76 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 12.40 | −6.8% |
| 2019 | 13.30 | −2.5% |
| 2018 | 13.64 | −2.6% |
| 2017Peak | 14.00 | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 13.83 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 13.61 | — |
Regional context
How Germany compares in Europe
Primary Energy Consumption by country, 2023, Exajoules. Germany is highlighted.
1Germany11.41
2France8.66
3Turkey7.00
4UK6.95
5Italy5.95
6Spain5.66
7Netherlands3.44
8Sweden2.15
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 the country and serves as an important indicator of energy utilization, economic activity, and infrastructure development.
Germany recorded primary energy consumption of 13.61 EJ in 2015, increasing to 13.83 EJ in 2016 and reaching 14.00 EJ in 2017. Consumption declined to 13.64 EJ in 2018 and further decreased to 13.30 EJ in 2019. In 2020, Germany experienced a significant reduction in primary energy consumption, recording 12.40 EJ due to economic disruptions and lower industrial activity. Consumption slightly recovered in 2021 to 12.76 EJ but declined again in 2022 to 12.29 EJ. In 2023, Germany recorded 11.41 EJ, marking the lowest consumption level throughout the observed period.
Overall, the dataset indicates a declining trend in Germany’s primary energy consumption from 2015 to 2023, despite short-term variations. The reduction highlights the impact of energy efficiency improvements, industrial adjustments, and the country’s ongoing transition toward a more sustainable energy structure. The decline after 2021 also reflects changing energy demand conditions and evolving energy supply patterns.
The dataset is useful for evaluating Germany’s energy consumption trends, assessing energy transition developments, and comparing national energy demand with other regions. It supports energy policy analysis, sustainability studies, infrastructure planning, and long-term resource management. Additionally, the data provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and analysts examining energy efficiency, consumption behavior, and the future direction of Germany’s energy landscape.
- Indicator
- Primary Energy Consumption
- Country
- Germany
- 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 Germany 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 Germany Primary Energy Consumption in 2023?
Germany Primary Energy Consumption was 11.41 Exajoules in 2023, down 7.2% on 2022.
How has Germany Primary Energy Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?
Germany Primary Energy Consumption moved from 13.61 Exajoules in 2015 to 11.41 Exajoules in 2023 (−16.2%), an average of −2.2% a year. The series high was 14.00 Exajoules in 2017 and the low 11.41 Exajoules in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest Germany Primary Energy Consumption?
The highest value was 14.00 Exajoules in 2017 and the lowest was 11.41 Exajoules in 2023.
What does the Germany 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 Germany 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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