China is the largest consumer of primary energy in the world, using some 170.7 exajoules in 2023. This is a lot more than what the United States consumed, which comes in second place. The majority of primary energy fuels are still derived from fossil fuels such as oil and coal.
China's energy mix
China’s primary energy mix has shifted from a dominant use of coal to an increase in natural gas and renewable sources. Since 2012, the renewables share in total energy consumption has grown by around eight percentage points. Overall, global primary energy consumption has increased over the last decade, but it is expected to experience the largest growth in emerging economies like the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
What is primary energy?
Primary energy is the energy inherent in natural resources such as crude oil, coal, and wind before further transformation. For example, crude oil can be refined into secondary fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, while wind is harnessed for electricity - itself a secondary energy source. A country’s total primary energy supply is a measure of the country’s primary energy sources. Meanwhile, end use energy is the energy directly consumed by the user and includes primary fuels such as natural gas, as well as secondary sources, like electricity and gasoline.
FAQs
Qatar had the highest per capita energy consumption worldwide in 2023 at 817 GJ per person.
Which country uses the most energy in 2023? ›
Qatar had the highest per capita energy consumption worldwide in 2023 at 817 GJ per person.
Which country has the highest energy consumption? ›
China consumes by far the most electricity of any country in the world, with more than 8,000 terawatt-hours equivalent consumed in 2022.
What is the main source for US primary energy consumption? ›
Energy Sources in the United States
Petroleum (crude oil and natural gas plant liquids): 28% Coal: 17.8% Renewable energy: 12.7% Nuclear electric power: 9.6%"
How much energy does the US consume compared to other countries? ›
In 2022, U.S. total primary energy consumption was about 95 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), which was equal to about 16% of total world primary energy consumption of about 600 quadrillion Btu.
Which country consumes the greatest amount of energy? ›
China is the largest consumer of primary energy in the world, using some 170.7 exajoules in 2023. This is a lot more than what the United States consumed, which comes in second place. The majority of primary energy fuels are still derived from fossil fuels such as oil and coal.
Which three countries consume the least energy? ›
Outside Africa, none consumes less than people in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Philippines. Per capita energy consumption in Bangladesh stands at 9.9 gigajoules, BP data shows — the lowest of any country outside Africa. Pakistan consumes 17.1 gigajoules and the Philippines consumes 17.6 gigajoules.
What is the most primary energy consumption? ›
Today, 85% of the primary energy consumption involves fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) or traditional sources (wood), with associated large-scale emissions of GHGs to the atmosphere: carbon dioxide from combustion, and methane from processing coal and natural gas.
What is the largest source of primary energy? ›
In the interactive chart shown, we see the primary energy mix broken down by fuel or generation source. Globally we get the largest amount of our energy from oil, followed by coal, gas, and hydroelectric power.
Where does the US get most of its energy? ›
Environmental impacts associated with the production and consumption of energy include global climate change, acid rain, hazardous air pollution, smog, radioactive waste, and habitat destruction. The nation's heavy reliance on fossil fuels (primarily imported crude oil) poses major concerns for energy security.
What is the largest source of energy consumed in the US? ›
Primary energy consumption by source in the U.S. 2022-2023
Petroleum is the primary source of energy in the United States, with a consumption of 35.43 quadrillion British thermal units in 2023.
Does the US consume more or less than the average world citizen? ›
Americans constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.
What country has the strongest economy 2023? ›
United States Of America (U.S.A)
Top 10 Biggest Energy-Consuming Countries - Total (billion kWh 2020)*
| Country | Total 2022 (EJ) |
|---|
| China | 159.39 |
| United States | 95.91 |
| India | 36.44 |
| Russia | 28.89 |
6 more rows2023 marked the sixth straight year that the United States led the world in oil production; shale oil fracking has dramatically increased the country's oil output since 2010. The United States also became a net petroleum exporter in 2020, for the first time since at least 1949.
In what countries of the world is energy use increasing? ›
China provides the largest share of global electricity demand growth in terms of volume, but India posts the fastest growth rate through 2026 among major economies.
