- 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.
North America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 230 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 1.6% on 2022. The North America regional Primary Energy Consumption per Capita over the 2015–2023 period reflects a moderately high and structurally energy-intensive profile with gradual fluctuations influenced by economic activity, industrial demand, and efficiency improvements.
North America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 239.5 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 230 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−4%), an average of −0.5% a year. The series high was 241.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018 and the low 219.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2020) is 22.20 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −7.8% in 2020.
Within North America, Canada has the highest value in 2023 at 359.7 Gigajoule per Capita.
Country ranking
Gigajoule per Capita. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
North America average, 2023: 230 Gigajoule per Capita. Per-capita values are averages, not additive totals.
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 230 | −1.6% |
| 2022 | 233.8 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 229.5 | +4.5% |
| 2020 Trough | 219.6 | −7.8% |
| 2019 | 238.3 | −1.4% |
| 2018Peak | 241.8 | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 236.6 | −0.3% |
| 2016 | 237.3 | −0.9% |
| 2015 | 239.5 | — |
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 regional trajectory shows relatively stable per capita energy consumption with minor year-to-year variations between 2015 and 2019, followed by a notable contraction in 2020, when consumption declined to 219.6 gigajoules per capita, reflecting pandemic-related disruptions and reduced industrial activity. Prior to this dip, consumption peaked at 241.8 in 2018, indicating strong economic momentum and energy demand across transport, manufacturing, and residential sectors. Post-2020, the region demonstrates a partial recovery, rising to 229.5 in 2021 and 233.8 in 2022, before stabilizing at 230 in 2023. Overall, the dataset reflects a mature energy system with cyclical sensitivity but no structural volatility.
At the country level, Canada consistently records the highest per capita energy consumption within North America, ranging from 404.9 in 2015 to 359.7 in 2023, reflecting its colder climate, energy-intensive industries, and resource-based economy. Mexico, in contrast, exhibits significantly lower per capita values, moving within a narrow band from 66.1 in 2015 to 65.8 in 2023, indicative of lower industrial intensity and higher population density relative to energy use. These contrasts highlight structural disparities in energy demand patterns across the region, while still contributing to the aggregated North American profile.
From a broader analytical perspective, North America’s primary energy consumption per capita underscores a highly developed and efficient yet demand-intensive energy ecosystem. The slight downward shift over the period suggests gradual efficiency gains and structural transitions toward cleaner energy systems, while maintaining high overall consumption levels relative to global averages. The dataset is useful for benchmarking against emerging economies and for assessing long-term energy transition strategies, particularly in the context of electrification, decarbonization, and technological modernization.
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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.
North America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 230 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 1.6% on 2022.
North America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 239.5 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 230 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−4%), an average of −0.5% a year. The series high was 241.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018 and the low 219.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 241.8 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018 and the lowest was 219.6 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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