- 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 Korea Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 240.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 2.4% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in South Korea Between 2015 and 2023 provides a detailed view of the country’s per-person energy use patterns, reflecting consumption intensity, industrial energy dependence, and structural changes in energy demand over time.
South Korea Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 233.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 240.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+2.8%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 246.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2022 and the low 232.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2020) is 13.70 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was +4.8% in 2021.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, South Korea ranks 7 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 Korea 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 | 240.1 | −2.4% |
| 2022Peak | 246.1 | +1% |
| 2021 | 243.6 | +4.8% |
| 2020 Trough | 232.4 | −3.4% |
| 2019 | 240.6 | −1.4% |
| 2018 | 244 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 240.8 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 239.1 | +2.4% |
| 2015 | 233.6 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. South Korea 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.
The dataset, measured in Gigajoule per Capita, captures South Korea’s evolution as a highly industrialized and energy-intensive economy with significant reliance on manufacturing, petrochemicals, and export-oriented production.
Between 2015 and 2023, South Korea’s per capita energy consumption shows moderate fluctuations with an overall stable-to-declining pattern in later years. In 2015, consumption stood at 233.6 GJ per capita, increasing to 239.1 in 2016 and 240.8 in 2017. It further rose to 244.0 in 2018 before slightly declining to 240.6 in 2019. This indicates a temporary peak in industrial energy demand before stabilization. In 2020, the value dropped to 232.4, reflecting pandemic-related economic slowdown and reduced industrial output. However, recovery was observed in subsequent years, with values rebounding to 243.6 in 2021 and peaking again at 246.1 in 2022. In 2023, consumption moderated slightly to 240.1, suggesting normalization of demand after post-pandemic recovery.
The overall trend highlights South Korea’s sensitivity to global economic cycles and industrial production shifts. Despite short-term volatility, the country maintains consistently high per capita energy consumption compared to global averages, driven by energy-intensive industries and limited domestic energy resources. The gradual stabilization in recent years also reflects improvements in energy efficiency, diversification of energy sources, and policy-driven efforts toward sustainability and emissions reduction.
From an analytical perspective, the dataset is crucial for evaluating industrial energy intensity, benchmarking efficiency improvements, and understanding the transition dynamics of advanced Asian economies. It also supports long-term energy planning, especially in balancing economic growth with decarbonization goals and energy security strategies.
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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 Korea Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 240.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 2.4% on 2022.
South Korea Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 233.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 240.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+2.8%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 246.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2022 and the low 232.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 246.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2022 and the lowest was 232.4 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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