- 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.
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 277.3 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 1.7% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita dataset of the United States from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country’s per person energy consumption landscape, highlighting individual energy usage patterns, consumption stability, and long-term energy demand trends.
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 285.5 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 277.3 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−2.9%), an average of −0.4% a year. The series high was 290.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018 and the low 263.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2020) is 26.20 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −7.8% in 2020.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 5 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 U.S. 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 | 277.3 | −1.7% |
| 2022 | 282.1 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 277.3 | +5.1% |
| 2020 Trough | 263.9 | −7.8% |
| 2019 | 286.2 | −1.3% |
| 2018Peak | 290.1 | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 281.9 | −0.4% |
| 2016 | 283.1 | −0.8% |
| 2015 | 285.5 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. U.S. 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.
Measured in Gigajoules per capita (GJ per capita), the dataset reflects the average amount of primary energy consumed per person and serves as an important indicator of energy utilization, economic activity, and resource consumption efficiency.
The United States recorded primary energy consumption per capita of 285.5 GJ in 2015. Consumption declined slightly to 283.1 GJ in 2016 and 281.9 GJ in 2017 before increasing to 290.1 GJ in 2018, the highest value during the observed period. It moderated to 286.2 GJ in 2019 and fell sharply to 263.9 GJ in 2020, reflecting lower energy demand during widespread economic disruption. per capita consumption recovered to 277.3 GJ in 2021, increased to 282.1 GJ in 2022, and eased slightly to 277.3 GJ in 2023, remaining above the 2020 level.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates moderate year-over-year fluctuations between 2015 and 2023. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, followed by a gradual recovery over the next three years. Despite temporary disruptions, the United States maintained comparatively high per capita energy consumption throughout the period, reflecting an advanced economy, extensive industrial activity, widespread transportation demand, and established energy infrastructure.
The dataset is valuable for benchmarking per capita energy consumption against other countries, evaluating long-term energy demand patterns, and assessing changes in energy efficiency. It supports comparative research, policy evaluation, infrastructure planning, and sustainability assessments. Furthermore, the data provides a reliable foundation for forecasting future consumption trends and understanding the relationship between per capita energy use, economic development, technological advancement, and overall energy system performance.
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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.
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 277.3 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 1.7% on 2022.
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 285.5 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 277.3 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−2.9%), an average of −0.4% a year. The series high was 290.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018 and the low 263.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2020.
The highest value was 290.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018 and the lowest was 263.9 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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