- 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.
Global Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 1% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in Global Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns, reflects a steadily evolving global energy landscape shaped by economic growth, industrialization, urbanization, population expansion, and rising demand for electricity and transportation.
Global Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 73.70 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+4.5%), an average of +0.5% a year. The series high was 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 72.40 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2020) is 4.60 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −4.4% in 2020.
Of the 37 countries in this dataset, Singapore, UAE and Canada have the highest values in 2023 (577, 539.4, 359.7 Gigajoule per Capita respectively).
Country ranking
Gigajoule per Capita. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
Global average, 2023: 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita. Per-capita values are averages, not additive totals.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Gigajoule per Capita↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 577 | +8.6% | |
| 2 | UAE | 539.4 | +4.4% | |
| 3 | Canada | 359.7 | −3.3% | |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 313.9 | +0.8% | |
| 5 | U.S. | 277.3 | −1.7% | |
| 6 | Turkmenistan | 245.8 | −3% | |
| 7 | South Korea | 240.1 | −2.4% | |
| 8 | Australia | 227.7 | −0.3% | |
| 9 | Russia | 216.6 | +0.9% | |
| 10 | Finland | 215.6 | +3.5% | |
| 11 | Sweden | 202.7 | −4.5% | |
| 12 | Netherlands | 195 | −0.4% | |
| 13 | Taiwan | 189.3 | −4.7% | |
| 14 | Kazakhstan | 152 | 0% | |
| 15 | Japan | 141.2 | −2.9% | |
| 16 | Malaysia | 140.1 | −0.8% | |
| 17 | Germany | 137 | −7.1% | |
| 18 | France | 133.8 | +4.5% | |
| 19 | Israel | 121.4 | −1.2% | |
| 20 | China | 119.8 | +6.6% | |
| 21 | Spain | 119.2 | −1% | |
| 22 | Belarus | 112.2 | +1% | |
| 23 | UK | 102.6 | −4.7% | |
| 24 | Italy | 101 | −3.6% | |
| 25 | Chile | 92.40 | −0.1% | |
| 26 | Turkey | 81.60 | −1.9% | |
| 27 | South Africa | 80.30 | −1.2% | |
| 28 | Argentina | 80.20 | −1.5% | |
| 29 | Thailand | 69.70 | 0% | |
| 30 | Mexico | 65.80 | +2.5% | |
| 31 | Brazil | 64.10 | +2.7% | |
| 32 | Vietnam | 49.50 | +8.6% | |
| 33 | Colombia | 43.30 | +2.4% | |
| 34 | Indonesia | 36.40 | −0.3% | |
| 35 | Egypt | 34.90 | −2.8% | |
| 36 | India | 27.30 | +6.2% | |
| 37 | Philippines | 18.70 | +5.1% |
By region
Gigajoule per Capita, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
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 | 77.00 | +1% |
| 2022 | 76.20 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 75.40 | +4.1% |
| 2020 Trough | 72.40 | −4.4% |
| 2019 | 75.70 | 0% |
| 2018 | 75.70 | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 74.50 | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 73.60 | −0.1% |
| 2015 | 73.70 | — |
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.
At the global level, primary energy consumption per capita increased from 73.7 GJ in 2015 to 77.0 GJ in 2023, indicating a moderate long-term upward trend despite temporary disruptions during the pandemic.
Between 2015 and 2019, global consumption remained relatively stable while gradually increasing, moving from 73.7 GJ in 2015 to 73.6 GJ in 2016, 74.5 GJ in 2017, and 75.7 GJ in both 2018 and 2019. This trend reflects expanding industrial production, growing electricity demand, increasing transportation activity, and sustained economic development across both advanced and emerging economies. At the same time, improvements in energy efficiency and the adoption of cleaner technologies moderated the pace of growth.
In 2020, global primary energy consumption per capita declined to 72.4 GJ, the lowest level during the study period, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted manufacturing, transportation, aviation, trade, and commercial activity worldwide. As economies reopened, energy demand recovered steadily, with consumption increasing to 75.4 GJ in 2021, 76.2 GJ in 2022, and 77.0 GJ in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and reflecting renewed industrial output, improved mobility, and stronger economic activity.
Overall, the dataset highlights the resilience of global energy demand despite short-term disruptions. Continued industrial expansion, urbanization, and improving living standards are expected to support long-term energy demand, while greater investment in renewable energy, electrification, energy efficiency, and low-carbon technologies will play an increasingly important role in shaping a more sustainable and secure global energy system.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
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.
Global Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 1% on 2022.
Global Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 73.70 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+4.5%), an average of +0.5% a year. The series high was 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 72.40 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the lowest was 72.40 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
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.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.