- 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.
Middle East Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 1.4% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in the Middle East Between 2015 and 2023 reflects a highly varied energy structure influenced by hydrocarbon reliance, extreme climatic conditions, industrial composition, and differing levels of economic diversification across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel.
Middle East Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 139.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+2.3%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 134.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2020) is 8.50 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was +3.9% in 2022.
Within Middle East, UAE has the highest value in 2023 at 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita.
Country ranking
Gigajoule per Capita. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
Middle East average, 2023: 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita. Per-capita values are averages, not additive totals.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Gigajoule per Capita↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UAE | 539.4 | +4.4% | |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 313.9 | +0.8% | |
| 3 | Israel | 121.4 | −1.2% |
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.
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| Year | Gigajoule per Capita | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 142.9 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 140.9 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 135.6 | +0.9% |
| 2020 Trough | 134.4 | −3% |
| 2019 | 138.6 | −0.4% |
| 2018 | 139.2 | −1.6% |
| 2017 | 141.5 | −0.3% |
| 2016 | 141.9 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 139.7 | — |
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 regional level, consumption remains relatively steady, increasing marginally from 139.7 GJ per capita in 2015 to 142.9 in 2023, indicating limited overall growth shaped by oil price movements, efficiency improvements, and post-pandemic recovery trends.
During 2015–2019, the region records minor fluctuations, declining slightly from 139.7 to 138.6 GJ per capita. This stability is supported by steady transport fuel usage, industrial operations, and significant cooling demand, partially balanced by gradual efficiency gains and structural adjustments in energy use patterns.
In 2020, consumption drops to 134.4 GJ per capita as COVID-19 disruptions reduce mobility, industrial activity, and commercial energy demand. From 2021 onward, a recovery phase is observed, with consumption rising to 135.6 GJ in 2021 and 140.9 GJ in 2022, driven by economic reopening and renewed industrial and transport activity. By 2023, it reaches 142.9 GJ per capita, confirming a stable post-pandemic rebound.
At the country level, the UAE records the highest consumption, increasing from 495.7 to 539.4 GJ per capita, supported by energy-intensive desalination, air-conditioning demand, and industrial expansion. Saudi Arabia shows a gradual decline from 336.0 to 313.9 GJ per capita, reflecting efficiency measures and diversification initiatives under long-term economic reforms. Israel remains comparatively stable, ranging around 123.7–121.4 GJ per capita, indicating a mature and efficient energy system with controlled demand growth.
Overall, the Middle East demonstrates a structurally diverse energy consumption pattern where high per capita usage coexists with incremental efficiency gains. Future developments are expected to be driven by diversification policies, renewable energy adoption, and continued efficiency improvements, while climatic conditions and industrial needs will maintain relatively high energy intensity across the region.
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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.
Middle East Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 1.4% on 2022.
Middle East Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 139.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+2.3%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 134.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 142.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the lowest was 134.4 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.
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