- 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.
UK Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 102.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 4.7% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption per Capita dataset of the United Kingdom 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.
UK Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 125.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 102.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−18.5%), an average of −2.5% a year. The series high was 125.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the low 102.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2023) is 23.30 Gigajoule per Capita. The sharpest single-year move was −10.8% in 2020.
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, UK ranks 23 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 UK 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 Trough | 102.6 | −4.7% |
| 2022 | 107.7 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 106.5 | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 105.8 | −10.8% |
| 2019 | 118.6 | −2.6% |
| 2018 | 121.8 | −0.7% |
| 2017 | 122.6 | −0.3% |
| 2016 | 123 | −2.3% |
| 2015Peak | 125.9 | — |
Regional context
Primary Energy Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Gigajoule per Capita. UK 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 Kingdom recorded primary energy consumption per capita of 125.9 GJ in 2015, declining to 123.0 GJ in 2016 and 122.6 GJ in 2017. Consumption continued to decrease slightly to 121.8 GJ in 2018 and 118.6 GJ in 2019, indicating a gradual reduction in average energy use before 2020. In 2020, per capita consumption fell sharply to 105.8 GJ as economic activity and energy demand were affected by global disruptions. The indicator recovered modestly to 106.5 GJ in 2021 and increased to 107.7 GJ in 2022. In 2023, primary energy consumption per capita declined to 102.6 GJ, representing the lowest level during the observed period.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a sustained downward trend between 2015 and 2023, with the most significant decline occurring in 2020 and only a partial recovery in subsequent years. The continuing reduction in per capita energy consumption suggests changing energy demand patterns, improvements in energy efficiency, structural economic changes, and increased adoption of lower-energy technologies across the country.
The dataset is useful for benchmarking per capita energy consumption against other countries, evaluating long-term energy demand patterns, and assessing progress in energy efficiency. It supports comparative research, policy evaluation, infrastructure planning, and sustainability assessments related to national energy utilization. Furthermore, the data provides a reliable basis for forecasting future consumption trends and understanding the relationship between per capita energy use, economic development, technological advancement, and long-term energy transition 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.
UK Primary Energy Consumption per Capita was 102.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023, down 4.7% on 2022.
UK Primary Energy Consumption per Capita moved from 125.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 to 102.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023 (−18.5%), an average of −2.5% a year. The series high was 125.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the low 102.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023.
The highest value was 125.9 Gigajoule per Capita in 2015 and the lowest was 102.6 Gigajoule per Capita in 2023.
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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