- 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.
India Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 27.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 6.2% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in India Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns reflects a steadily growing energy demand profile driven by rapid economic expansion, industrialization, urbanization, and improving household electrification.
India Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 21.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 27.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+26.4%), an average of +3% a year. The series high was 27.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 21.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 5.70 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was +7.5% in 2021.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, India ranks 36 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 India is below 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 | 27.30 | +6.2% |
| 2022 | 25.70 | +4.9% |
| 2021 | 24.50 | +7.5% |
| 2020 | 22.80 | −6.2% |
| 2019 | 24.30 | +1.7% |
| 2018 | 23.90 | +4.4% |
| 2017 | 22.90 | +2.7% |
| 2016 | 22.30 | +3.2% |
| 2015 Trough | 21.60 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. India 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 indicates consistent upward movement in per capita energy consumption with a brief interruption during the pandemic period.
In 2015, India recorded 21.6 GJ per capita, increasing to 22.3 in 2016 and 22.9 in 2017, showing early-stage growth in energy access and usage. In 2018, consumption rose further to 23.9, followed by 24.3 in 2019, reflecting strengthening industrial activity and rising residential demand. In 2020, a decline to 22.8 was observed due to pandemic-related economic slowdown and reduced mobility. However, recovery was strong in subsequent years, with consumption rising to 24.5 in 2021, 25.7 in 2022, and reaching 27.3 GJ per capita in 2023.
Overall, India’s per capita energy consumption increased from 21.6 to 27.3 GJ over the period, indicating sustained structural growth in energy demand. The upward trajectory reflects expanding infrastructure, increased industrial output, rising incomes, and broader access to modern energy services across both urban and rural populations.
Despite this growth, India remains one of the lower per capita energy consumers globally, highlighting significant headroom for future demand expansion. The temporary dip in 2020 demonstrates sensitivity to macroeconomic shocks, while the strong rebound underscores underlying demand resilience.
From a policy perspective, the trend emphasizes the dual challenge of meeting rising energy needs while ensuring sustainability and efficiency improvements. India’s trajectory positions it as a key future driver of global energy demand growth, particularly as electrification, digitalization, and manufacturing capacity continue to expand.
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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.
India Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 27.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 6.2% on 2022.
India Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 21.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 27.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+26.4%), an average of +3% a year. The series high was 27.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 21.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015.
The highest value was 27.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the lowest was 21.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015.
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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