Rising to a series high
Global Coal Production moved from 7,953 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 9,096 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+14.4%), an average of +1.7% a year. The series high was 9,096 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 7,482 Million Tonnes in 2016.
What Global Coal Production shows
Global Coal Production was 9,096 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 3.1% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset for the Global from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of worldwide coal output, highlighting production trends, mining activity, and developments across the global coal sector.
A 17.7% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 1,614 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +8% in 2022.
China leads among 30 countries covered
Of the 30 countries in this dataset, China, India and Indonesia have the highest values in 2023 (4,710, 1,011, 775.2 Million Tonnes respectively).
Country ranking
Coal Production by country, 2023
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million Tonnes↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 4,710 | +3.3% | |
| 2 | India | 1,011 | +11% | |
| 3 | Indonesia | 775.2 | +12.8% | |
| 4 | U.S. | 526.5 | −2.3% | |
| 5 | Australia | 455.8 | +3.6% | |
| 6 | Russia | 432.5 | −1.5% | |
| 7 | South Africa | 228.5 | −0.6% | |
| 8 | Kazakhstan | 116.4 | −1.2% | |
| 9 | Germany | 102.3 | −21.8% | |
| 10 | Poland | 88.70 | −17.7% | |
| 11 | Mongolia | 83.20 | +111.7% | |
| 12 | Turkey | 66.40 | −30.3% | |
| 13 | Colombia | 54.50 | −6% | |
| 14 | Canada | 48.60 | +4.1% | |
| 15 | Vietnam | 48.20 | −3.4% | |
| 16 | Serbia | 31.90 | −9.1% | |
| 17 | Czech Republic | 30.00 | −14.5% | |
| 18 | Bulgaria | 21.00 | −41% | |
| 19 | Romania | 14.80 | −18.7% | |
| 20 | Thailand | 12.80 | −5.9% | |
| 21 | Greece | 10.90 | −23.8% | |
| 22 | Brazil | 6.80 | −10.5% | |
| 23 | Uzbekistan | 6.20 | +14.8% | |
| 24 | Mexico | 5.60 | +1.8% | |
| 25 | Zimbabwe | 5.00 | +28.2% | |
| 26 | New Zealand | 2.60 | 0% | |
| 27 | Japan | 0.600 | −14.3% | |
| 28 | South Korea | 0.600 | −25% | |
| 29 | UK | 0.500 | −28.6% | |
| 30 | Spain | 0.100 | 0% |
By region
Coal Production by region
Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Global 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 | 9,096 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 8,821 | +8% |
| 2021 | 8,169 | +5.4% |
| 2020 | 7,751 | −4.7% |
| 2019 | 8,136 | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 8,048 | +4.5% |
| 2017 | 7,705 | +3% |
| 2016 Trough | 7,482 | −5.9% |
| 2015 | 7,953 | — |
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.
Measured in billion tonnes, the dataset captures annual coal production and serves as an important indicator of global energy supply, industrial activity, resource utilization, and the continuing role of coal in electricity generation and heavy industries.
Global coal production totaled 7.95 billion tonnes in 2015, declining to 7.48 billion tonnes in 2016 before recovering to 7.70 billion tonnes in 2017 and 8.05 billion tonnes in 2018. Output increased further to 8.14 billion tonnes in 2019, declined to 7.75 billion tonnes in 2020 due to pandemic-related disruptions, and rebounded to 8.17 billion tonnes in 2021. Global production continued to rise to 8.82 billion tonnes in 2022 and reached a record 9.10 billion tonnes in 2023. China remained the world's largest coal producer throughout the period, supported by substantial output from India, Indonesia, the United States, Australia, and Russia, reflecting the continued importance of coal in major energy-producing economies.
Overall, the dataset indicates that global coal production followed an upward long-term trend despite temporary setbacks. Rising electricity demand, industrial expansion, energy security concerns, and increased domestic mining in several countries contributed to higher production levels, particularly after 2020.
The dataset supports analysis of global coal mining activity, production performance, and long-term market developments. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders evaluating production trends, resource availability, energy security, mining investments, and the evolving role of coal in the global energy and industrial landscape.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Region
- Global
- 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 Global 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 Global Coal Production in 2023?
Global Coal Production was 9,096 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 3.1% on 2022.
How has Global Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Global Coal Production moved from 7,953 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 9,096 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+14.4%), an average of +1.7% a year. The series high was 9,096 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 7,482 Million Tonnes in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest Global Coal Production?
The highest value was 9,096 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 7,482 Million Tonnes in 2016.
What does the Global 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 Global 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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