- 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 and Central America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 58.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in South and Central America Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns, reflects a relatively stable energy consumption profile shaped by economic performance, industrial activity, transportation demand, urbanization, and the region's growing renewable energy sector.
South and Central America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 58.80 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 58.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−0.9%), an average of −0.1% a year. The series high was 58.80 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the low 51.20 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2020) is 7.60 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −8.4% in 2020.
Within South and Central America, Chile has the highest value in 2023 at 92.40 Gigajoule per Capita.
Country ranking
Gigajoule per Capita. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
South and Central America average, 2023: 58.30 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 | 58.30 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 57.00 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | 54.70 | +6.8% |
| 2020 Trough | 51.20 | −8.4% |
| 2019 | 55.90 | −1.6% |
| 2018 | 56.80 | −1.7% |
| 2017 | 57.80 | −0.3% |
| 2016 | 58.00 | −1.4% |
| 2015Peak | 58.80 | — |
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 declined slightly from 58.8 GJ per capita in 2015 to 58.3 GJ in 2023, indicating overall stability despite economic fluctuations and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between 2015 and 2019, regional consumption gradually decreased from 58.8 GJ in 2015 to 58.0 GJ in 2016, 57.8 GJ in 2017, 56.8 GJ in 2018, and 55.9 GJ in 2019. During this period, Brazil recorded a modest decline from 61.7 GJ to 60.1 GJ, while Argentina fell from 83.0 GJ to 74.6 GJ, reflecting weaker economic conditions. In contrast, Chile increased steadily from 83.4 GJ to 89.6 GJ, supported by expanding mining and industrial activities. Colombia maintained comparatively lower consumption, rising gradually from 36.9 GJ to 40.4 GJ per capita.
In 2020, regional consumption declined sharply to 51.2 GJ per capita as pandemic-related restrictions affected transportation, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and commercial activity. Recovery began in 2021, with consumption increasing to 54.7 GJ, followed by 57.0 GJ in 2022 and 58.3 GJ in 2023, reflecting improving economic conditions and strengthening energy demand.
At the country level, Brazil recovered to 64.1 GJ in 2023, Argentina rebounded to 80.2 GJ, Chile remained the highest among major economies at 92.4 GJ, and Colombia increased to 43.3 GJ per capita.
Overall, South and Central America maintained a resilient energy consumption profile, with future demand expected to be supported by industrial modernization, infrastructure investment, economic recovery, and continued renewable energy expansion 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.
South and Central America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 58.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022.
South and Central America Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 58.80 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 58.30 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−0.9%), an average of −0.1% a year. The series high was 58.80 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the low 51.20 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 58.80 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the lowest was 51.20 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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