- 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.
UAE Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 4.4% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita in UAE Between 2015 and 2023, highlighting per person energy use, consumption trends, and efficiency patterns reflects a highly energy intensive profile driven by hydrocarbons desalination demand air conditioning loads and industrial expansion across petrochemical and urban sectors.
UAE Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 495.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+8.8%), an average of +1.1% a year. The series high was 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 453.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2018) is 86.30 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was +7.9% in 2022.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, UAE ranks 2 for 2023, behind Singapore (577 Gigajoule per Capita) and Canada (359.7 Gigajoule per Capita). The global figure for 2023 is 77.00 Gigajoule per Capita, so UAE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 539.4 | +4.4% |
| 2022 | 516.9 | +7.9% |
| 2021 | 479.1 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 467 | −2% |
| 2019 | 476.4 | +5.1% |
| 2018 Trough | 453.1 | −6.1% |
| 2017 | 482.5 | −5.6% |
| 2016 | 510.9 | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 495.7 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. UAE 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.
Consumption increased from 495.7 GJ per capita in 2015 to 510.9 in 2016 before declining to 482.5 in 2017 and 453.1 in 2018 due to efficiency improvements and structural adjustments. From 2019 to 2021 values fluctuated between 476.4 and 467.0 GJ per capita reflecting pandemic disruptions and reduced industrial activity. In 2022 and 2023 consumption rose sharply to 479.1 and 539.4 GJ per capita supported by post pandemic recovery energy demand rebound and industrial expansion. Overall UAE demonstrates one of the highest per capita energy consumption levels globally driven by climate conditions and energy intensive economic structure. The dataset highlights strong dependence on petrochemicals heavy industry and cooling demand due to extreme temperatures. Despite fluctuations long term demand remains structurally high reflecting a mature and energy intensive economy. Future trends are expected to be shaped by renewable energy adoption diversification strategies and efficiency improvements under national sustainability initiatives. Continued diversification under Vision initiatives is expected to gradually reshape consumption structure while sustaining high per capita energy use. Overall energy demand patterns remain highly sensitive to global oil markets climate conditions and domestic development strategies over the long term. The dataset is essential for analyzing energy intensity benchmarking regional economies and understanding long term sustainability transitions in high income energy exporting countries. It also highlights structural dependence on oil and gas revenues alongside increasing investment in renewable infrastructure and efficiency driven reforms. This ensures long term balance between economic growth energy security and environmental sustainability objectives.
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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.
UAE Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, up 4.4% on 2022.
UAE Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 495.7 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (+8.8%), an average of +1.1% a year. The series high was 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the low 453.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018.
The highest value was 539.4 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 and the lowest was 453.1 Gigajoule per Capita in 2018.
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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