Over the last few centuries, energy has changed the trajectory of human history. Today, humanity generates and consumes more energy than ever before and these two trends are not slowing down. This has all been thanks to the fossil fuels that were discovered by humankind.
However, countries have subsequently discovered and started to use new energy sources such as nuclear power together with more sustainable and renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar energy. Moreover, to combat the global climate change patterns, the transition to renewables is currently seen to be a key measure to reduce the GHG emissions that arise from fossil fuels. In this article, we will delve into learning more about countries’ energy consumption and analyze the trends.
Key statistics and trends in global energy consumption
Beginning in 1760, the Industrial Revolution resulted in a significant transformation of the energy system. The chart below illustrates how the world’s energy supply has changed over time, showing the world’s energy usage since 1800.
World energy consumption: Historical overview and current status
Source: OurWorldinData
According to the IEA, about 750 million people worldwide currently lack access to electricity, making it difficult for them to keep cool in the face of heat, harder to light their houses, or impossible to use fridges.
In 2024, global energy consumption increased by 2.2%, quicker than it did between 2010 and 2019 (+1.5% per year), particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Brazil and Russia (+3%), which reported robust economic development and contributed to 43% of the world’s energy consumption in 2024, according to Energdata:
China registered a growth of +4%, returning to its 2010-2019 average following a 7% resurgence in 2023.
- India (+5%)
- Indonesia (+6%)
- Vietnam (+9%)
- Russia (+2%)
- Brazil (+3%).
As for OECD countries, energy use increased at a slower rate of +1%, on average:
- United States (+1%)
- South Korea (+2%)
- Australia (+1%)
- Turkey (+6%)
In the EU, Mexico, and Canada, energy consumption remained at about the same level.
- In Japan, it decreased by 1%.
- The Middle East saw an increase (for example, +5% in Iran)
- African countries also registered growth (for example, +5% in Egypt).
Energy consumption by region (2014-2024) in Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent)
Source: EnerData
Among other statistical data regarding energy consumption, it’s worth noting:
Total demand for power surged across all regions, but the increase was not evenly spread and revealed significant regional differences caused by economic development, the environment, and energy policy, the Energy Institute’s statistical review comments.
- The global supply of renewable energy rose by 8%, with China’s share being 58%.
- Asia Pacific accounted for two-thirds (65%) of the rise in global energy demand and now consumes nearly half (47%) of all energy used globally.
- In 2024, the world’s energy demand increased by 2.2%, which was more than the average growth rate over the previous 10 years, according to the IEA. The main driver of this increase was the rise in demand for electricity (+4.3%), which in turn was the result of:
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- Record temperatures
- Electrification
- Digitalization.
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- Over 78% of the energy consumed worldwide is attributed to North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific regions.
In terms of power generation in 2024:
- Fossil fuels accounted for nearly 60% of all globally produced power
- Renewable energy accounted for around 30%
- Nuclear energy remained at around 9%
Notably, fossil fuel combustion accounts for approximately 87% of all energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, making CO2 emissions the predominant source of these emissions.
Source: IEA
Year-to-year energy consumption analysis
With rising incomes and a growing population, global demand for energy is increasing in many nations, and worldwide energy use will continue to rise every year if this growing demand is not countered by gains in energy efficiency.
The graph below illustrates the annual variations in the world’s energy use. The variation is expressed as a percentage of the prior year’s energy usage.
Annual change in primary energy consumption
Source: OurWorldinData
To put it simply, energy consumption around the world is increasing. The average rise in energy use is around one to two percent annually. World primary energy usage increased by 2% in 2023, marking the second record year in a row.
*Primary energy is raw energy that is derived from natural sources such as coal, oil, gas, solar, wind, and nuclear, before being converted into usable forms such as electrical power.
Energy consumption per capita by country
Countries that use the most energy per person are Qatar, Iceland, Singapore, Canada and the United States. The Caribbean nation, Trinidad and Tobago, also showed high per capita energy consumption due to the local presence of energy-intensive industries producing fertilizers, aluminum, methanol, and ammonia.
The majority of the world’s biggest energy-consuming countries are also some of the largest oil producers that rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy.
Nations that benefit from an abundance of resources and are located outside the temperate climate zones typically consume more energy to heat or cool their homes. In addition, they tend to consume more energy overall because of a much lower cost compared to nations that must import energy.
Source: OurWorldinData
Power usage per person (calculated in kilowatt-hours per person)
Source: OurWorldinData
Total energy consumption
Source: OurWorldinData
Global energy trends: What to expect
According to the McKinsey report, the world’s energy requirements will rapidly increase as a result of electrification and growing data center operations, especially in the U.S., Europe, and China while transportation, notably in Europe, is expected to be another new source of energy demand
Among other trends, the IEA reports for 2024 and 2025 outline the following:
- By 2026, the amount of energy used by data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and the cryptocurrency sector may double.
- Approximately 85% of additional energy demand is expected to come from developing nations, with China playing a significant role.
- The share of renewable energy in power generation will grow to 37% in 2026 (in 2023, the share was 30%). The growing number of solar photovoltaic systems is expected to play a major role in this growth.
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- More energy from renewables will lead to a decline in global coal-fired production by a yearly average of 1.7% annually in the next couple of years.
- Gas-fired electricity generation – after growing by 1.9% in 2024, global gas-fired generation was predicted to rise by 1.3% in 2025 and hit a new high, being driven by continuous oil-to-gas conversion in the Middle East, as well as sustained development in gas-fired production in Asia.
- Global production of nuclear energy is on course to have set a new record in 2025, and it is expected to grow in 2026, being pushed by plant reopenings in Japan, strong output in the United States and France, and the opening of new reactors in a number of countries, including China, India, and Korea.
- Fossil fuel-based energy production grew by slightly more than 1% in 2024, accounting for less than one-fifth of the world’s total electricity generating growth, and we could expect a gradual decline as other sources (renewables + nuclear) continue their upward growth trajectory to meet overall energy demand.
Nuclear energy: current usage and future potential
Roughly 20% of the low-carbon electricity produced worldwide comes from nuclear power.
Currently, the world is home to 440 power reactors in 31 nations, boasting a combined capacity of around 400 GWe. In 2024, these supplied 2,667 TWh, or roughly 9% of the world’s electrical power.
Around 70 reactors around the world are currently in the construction phase, while another 115 are planned with the majority being in Asia), according to the World Nuclear Association.
In 2024, at least 25% of the electrical energy generated by 14 countries came from nuclear power. For instance, France obtains up to 70% of its electric power from nuclear energy.
Apart from commercial nuclear power facilities, around 220 research reactors are in operation in over 50 countries, and more are being built.
Globally, there is a pressing need for additional generating capacity to fulfill the rising demand for energy in many nations as well as to replace outdated fossil fuel units, particularly those that burn coal and release enormous volumes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
