Broadly stable
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption moved from 92.69 Exajoules in 2015 to 94.28 Exajoules in 2023 (+1.7%), an average of +0.2% a year. The series high was 96.37 Exajoules in 2018 and the low 88.64 Exajoules in 2020.
What U.S. Primary Energy Consumption shows
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption was 94.28 Exajoules in 2023, down 1.2% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption dataset of the United States 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 8% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2020) is 7.73 Exajoules. The sharpest single-year move was −7.4% in 2020.
Ranks 2 of 37 countries covered
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 2 for 2023, behind China (170.7 Exajoules) and Russia (31.29 Exajoules). It accounts for 15.2% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
U.S. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 94.28 | −1.2% |
| 2022 | 95.42 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 93.44 | +5.4% |
| 2020 Trough | 88.64 | −7.4% |
| 2019 | 95.68 | −0.7% |
| 2018Peak | 96.37 | +3.7% |
| 2017 | 92.97 | +0.4% |
| 2016 | 92.62 | −0.1% |
| 2015 | 92.69 | — |
Regional context
How U.S. compares in North America
Primary Energy Consumption by country, 2023, Exajoules. U.S. is highlighted.
1U.S.94.28
2Canada13.95
3Mexico8.45
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.
The United States recorded primary energy consumption of 92.69 EJ in 2015, followed by a slight decline to 92.62 EJ in 2016. Consumption increased to 92.97 EJ in 2017 and reached 96.37 EJ in 2018, reflecting stronger energy demand during the period. In 2019, consumption slightly decreased to 95.68 EJ before experiencing a significant decline to 88.64 EJ in 2020, mainly reflecting reduced economic activity and energy demand disruptions. Energy consumption recovered in 2021 with 93.44 EJ and continued increasing to 95.42 EJ in 2022. In 2023, consumption moderated slightly to 94.28 EJ, indicating a stable energy demand pattern.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a relatively stable energy consumption trend with moderate fluctuations between 2015 and 2023. The decline observed in 2020 represents the most significant variation during the period, while the following years indicate recovery and stabilization of energy usage. The long-term pattern highlights the scale of energy requirements in the United States and the role of energy consumption in supporting economic and industrial activities.
The dataset is valuable for analyzing national energy trends, comparing consumption levels across regions, and evaluating changes in energy demand over time. It supports research related to energy planning, sustainability assessments, infrastructure development, and policy analysis. Additionally, the data provides a reliable foundation for understanding future energy consumption patterns and assessing the relationship between energy use, economic growth, and evolving energy system dynamics.
- Indicator
- Primary Energy Consumption
- Country
- U.S.
- Region
- North America
- 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 U.S. 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 U.S. Primary Energy Consumption in 2023?
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption was 94.28 Exajoules in 2023, down 1.2% on 2022.
How has U.S. Primary Energy Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption moved from 92.69 Exajoules in 2015 to 94.28 Exajoules in 2023 (+1.7%), an average of +0.2% a year. The series high was 96.37 Exajoules in 2018 and the low 88.64 Exajoules in 2020.
Which year had the highest and lowest U.S. Primary Energy Consumption?
The highest value was 96.37 Exajoules in 2018 and the lowest was 88.64 Exajoules in 2020.
What does the U.S. 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 U.S. 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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