- 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.
South Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 1.2% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in South Africa Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns reflects a gradually declining energy consumption profile driven by economic restructuring industrial challenges and electricity supply constraints.
South Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 91.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−12%), an average of −1.6% a year. The series high was 94.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016 and the low 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2023) is 14.30 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −7.4% in 2020.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 27 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 South Africa is above 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 80.30 | −1.2% |
| 2022 | 81.30 | −4.6% |
| 2021 | 85.20 | −0.1% |
| 2020 | 85.30 | −7.4% |
| 2019 | 92.10 | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 89.20 | −5% |
| 2017 | 93.90 | −0.7% |
| 2016Peak | 94.60 | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 91.30 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. South Africa 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.
Between 2015 and 2017 consumption remained relatively stable from 91.3 to 93.9 GJ per capita supported by mining and heavy industry. In 2018 and 2019 consumption declined to 89.2 and 92.1 GJ per capita reflecting industrial slowdown and structural inefficiencies. In 2020 consumption dropped sharply to 85.3 GJ per capita due to pandemic disruptions across mining transport and manufacturing sectors. In 2021 and 2022 consumption continued to decline reaching 85.2 and 81.3 GJ per capita reflecting energy shortages and economic weakness. In 2023 consumption further decreased to 80.3 GJ per capita indicating ongoing structural challenges in the energy sector. Overall South Africa demonstrates a declining per capita energy consumption trend over the observed period. The energy system is heavily reliant on coal based generation and faces frequent supply disruptions. The dataset highlights the need for infrastructure modernization and diversified energy investments. Future trends depend on renewable adoption policy reforms and improved grid reliability. The transition toward cleaner energy sources is expected to play a critical role in long term stability. However economic pressures and industrial constraints continue to limit rapid recovery in energy demand. Mining and manufacturing sectors remain key contributors to overall consumption levels. Despite challenges gradual efficiency improvements are emerging across industries. These improvements are supported by policy initiatives and technological upgrades in the energy sector. Overall outlook remains cautious but stable with gradual transition toward sustainability goals particularly under national energy reform programs aimed at improving efficiency and long term energy security.
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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.
South Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 1.2% on 2022.
South Africa Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 91.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−12%), an average of −1.6% a year. The series high was 94.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016 and the low 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023.
The highest value was 94.60 Gigajoule per Capita in 2016 and the lowest was 80.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023.
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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