Rising to a series high
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption moved from 11.00 Exajoules in 2015 to 11.60 Exajoules in 2023 (+5.5%), an average of +0.7% a year. The series high was 11.60 Exajoules in 2023 and the low 10.39 Exajoules in 2020.
What Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption shows
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption was 11.60 Exajoules in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption dataset of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s energy consumption landscape, highlighting total energy demand, consumption patterns, and long-term changes in the overall energy system.
A 10.4% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2020) is 1.21 Exajoules. The sharpest single-year move was +5.7% in 2022.
Ranks 8 of 37 countries covered
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, Saudi Arabia ranks 8 for 2023, behind China (170.7 Exajoules) and U.S. (94.28 Exajoules). It accounts for 1.9% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Exajoules.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Exajoules | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 11.60 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 11.34 | +5.7% |
| 2021 | 10.73 | +3.3% |
| 2020 Trough | 10.39 | −2.7% |
| 2019 | 10.68 | −4.4% |
| 2018 | 11.17 | −2.4% |
| 2017 | 11.45 | 0% |
| 2016 | 11.45 | +4.1% |
| 2015 | 11.00 | — |
Regional context
How Saudi Arabia compares in Middle East
Primary Energy Consumption by country, 2023, Exajoules. Saudi Arabia is highlighted.
1Saudi Arabia11.60
2UAE5.13
3Israel1.11
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries.
The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
About this indicator
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
Measured in Exajoules (EJ), the dataset represents the total primary energy consumed across the country and serves as an important indicator of energy utilization, economic activity, and infrastructure development.
Saudi Arabia recorded primary energy consumption of 11.00 EJ in 2015, increasing to 11.45 EJ in 2016 and remaining at 11.45 EJ in 2017. Consumption declined to 11.17 EJ in 2018 and further decreased to 10.68 EJ in 2019. In 2020, primary energy consumption reduced to 10.39 EJ due to economic disruptions and lower energy demand. Consumption recovered in 2021, reaching 10.73 EJ, followed by an increase to 11.34 EJ in 2022. In 2023, Saudi Arabia recorded primary energy consumption of 11.60 EJ, representing the highest level during the observed period.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates fluctuations in Saudi Arabia’s primary energy consumption between 2015 and 2023, with a recovery phase after the decline experienced in 2020. The overall trend reflects changes in economic activity, energy demand, industrial development, and the country’s energy-intensive economic structure. The increase after 2021 indicates renewed growth in energy requirements.
The dataset is valuable for analyzing Saudi Arabia’s energy consumption patterns, evaluating demand trends, and understanding the role of energy in economic development. It supports studies related to energy planning, resource management, sustainability strategies, and infrastructure assessment. Additionally, the data provides important insights for researchers, analysts, and policymakers examining energy utilization, efficiency improvements, and future energy transition opportunities.
- Indicator
- Primary Energy Consumption
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
- Region
- Middle East
- Unit
- Exajoules
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption?
Definition- Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
What was Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption in 2023?
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption was 11.60 Exajoules in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022.
How has Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?
Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption moved from 11.00 Exajoules in 2015 to 11.60 Exajoules in 2023 (+5.5%), an average of +0.7% a year. The series high was 11.60 Exajoules in 2023 and the low 10.39 Exajoules in 2020.
Which year had the highest and lowest Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption?
The highest value was 11.60 Exajoules in 2023 and the lowest was 10.39 Exajoules in 2020.
What does the Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries. Excluded: The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
Where does the Saudi Arabia Primary Energy Consumption 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 Exajoules.
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