China consumes by far the most electricity of any country in the world, with more than 8,000 terawatt-hours equivalent consumed in 2023. The United States ranked as the second-leading electricity consumer that year, with over 4,000 terawatt-hours consumed. India followed, but by a wide margin. Large population, high consumption? The world's top three electricity consumers constitute the countries with the largest population. India has the largest population with over 1.4 billion people, while consuming less than one fifth of the electricity of China. Meanwhile, countries such as Pakistan and Nigeria, which boasted the fifth and sixth-largest population size worldwide, did not rank among the top 20 electricity consumers. GDP and electricity consumption Countries with a high GDP per capita like the United States provide their residents greater average purchasing power. Countries with higher-income residents tend to be more urbanized, leading to higher electricity consumption. The U.S. stands among the ten-largest electricity consumers per capita in the world, with Iceland and Norway leading the ranking.

The average for 2022 based on 190 countries was 139.5 billion kilowatthours. The highest value was in China: 8349.31 billion kilowatthours and the lowest value was in Montserrat: 0.02 billion kilowatthours. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Iceland is by far the largest per capita consumer of electricity worldwide, averaging 53.9 megawatt-hours per person in 2023. This results from a combination of factors, such as low-cost electricity production, increased heating demand, and the presence of energy-intensive industries in the country. Norway, Qatar, and Canada were also some of the world's largest electricity consumers per capita that year. China is the leading overall power consumer Power-intensive industries, the purchasing power of the average citizen, household size, and general power efficiency standards all contribute to the amount of electricity that is consumed per person every year. However, in terms of total electricity consumption, a country's size and population can also play an important role. In 2023, the three most populous countries in the world, namely China, the United States, and India, were also the three largest electricity consumers. Global electricity consumption on the rise In 2023, net electricity consumption worldwide amounted to over 27,000 terawatt-hours, an increase of 30 percent in comparison to a decade earlier. When compared to 1980, global electricity consumption more than tripled. On the generation side, the world is still strongly dependent on fossil fuels. Despite the world's renewable energy capacity quintupling in the last decade, coal and gas combined still accounted for almost 60 percent of global electricity generation in 2023.

China is the largest consumer of primary energy in the world, having used 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 worldwide 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 2013, 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, and 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.

Global Energy Consumption in Industry by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Over the past half a century, the world's electricity consumption has continuously grown, reaching approximately 27,000 terawatt-hours by 2023. Between 1980 and 2023, electricity consumption more than tripled, while the global population reached eight billion people. Growth in industrialization and electricity access across the globe have further boosted electricity demand. China's economic rise and growth in global power use Since 2000, China's GDP has recorded an astonishing 15-fold increase, turning it into the second-largest global economy, behind only the United States. To fuel the development of its billion-strong population and various manufacturing industries, China requires more energy than any other country. As a result, it has become the largest electricity consumer in the world. Electricity consumption per capita In terms of per capita electricity consumption, China and other BRIC countries are still vastly outpaced by developed economies with smaller population sizes. Iceland, with a population of less than half a million inhabitants, consumes by far the most electricity per person in the world. Norway, Qatar, Canada, and the United States also have among the highest consumption rates. Multiple contributing factors such as the existence of power-intensive industries, household sizes, living situations, appliance and efficiency standards, and access to alternative heating fuels determine the amount of electricity the average person requires in each country.

China Electricity Consumption: per Capita: Average data was reported at 6,257.000 kWh in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,032.000 kWh for 2021. China Electricity Consumption: per Capita: Average data is updated yearly, averaging 1,066.997 kWh from Dec 1978 (Median) to 2022, with 45 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,257.000 kWh in 2022 and a record low of 261.265 kWh in 1978. China Electricity Consumption: per Capita: Average data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Utility Sector – Table CN.RCB: Electricity Summary.

The Nordic countries of Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden recorded the largest electricity demand per capita in Europe over the last few years. In 2021, Iceland’s per capita electricity demand averaged at over 52 megawatt-hours per person, more than twice the consumption of runner-up Norway. Meanwhile Germany, the largest electricity producer among the European Union countries, had an average per capita consumption of 6.2 megawatt-hours in 2023.

Why is electricity consumption so high in Iceland?

The intense electricity consumption in Iceland stems from a combination of factors. On the one hand, due to its abundant natural resources, hydro and geothermal are the main sources of electricity generation in Iceland, allowing the country to produce power at high reliability and very low costs. Meanwhile, on the demand side, Iceland is home to some particularly energy-intensive industries – in 2023, it ranked among the largest aluminum smelter producers worldwide. To top it off, electricity demand is also high on the household sector side, due to the Nordic country’s long, dark, and cold winters. A similar combination of factors can also be found in Norway.

How cheap is electricity in Iceland?

In 2023, household electricity prices in Iceland averaged between 15.3 and 18.5 euro cents per kilowatt-hour, depending on the level of demand. In comparison to the average household electricity price in the European Union in the same period, it was around 45 percent cheaper. Iceland had one of the lowest residential electricity prices in Europe. On the other side of the spectrum, Germany, Denmark, and Belgium reported the highest prices in the region.

Qatar has the highest per capita energy consumption worldwide. In 2023, residents in Qatar used an average of 225 megawatt-hours worth of energy - all of which was derived from fossil fuels. Sources of primary energy In 2023, oil and coal were the main fuels used for primary energy worldwide. Except for the Nordic countries and Canada, all other countries listed among the leading 10 consumers sourced energy almost exclusively from fossil fuels. Many of them are also responsible for large oil production shares or the refining thereof. Differences in energy consumption There is a notable disparity between the highest and lowest energy users. Resource-rich countries outside the temperate climate zone tend to use more energy to heat or cool homes and are also more likely to use greater amounts of energy as costs are much lower. For example, electricity prices in oil and gas-producing countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia are only a fraction of those of resource-poor countries in Europe. Furthermore, energy consumption disparity is a strong indicator of the different income levels around the world and largely tied to economic prosperity.

Global Energy Consumption in Agriculture by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

United States Electricity Consumption data was reported at 11.791 kWh/Day bn in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.060 kWh/Day bn for Jan 2025. United States Electricity Consumption data is updated monthly, averaging 9.940 kWh/Day bn from Jan 1991 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 410 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.179 kWh/Day bn in Jul 2024 and a record low of 7.190 kWh/Day bn in Apr 1991. United States Electricity Consumption data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Energy Information Administration. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.RB004: Electricity Supply and Consumption. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Germany DE: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data was reported at 7,035.483 kWh in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7,217.529 kWh for 2013. Germany DE: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 6,327.710 kWh from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2014, with 55 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,281.272 kWh in 2011 and a record low of 1,586.749 kWh in 1960. Germany DE: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Environmental: Energy Production and Consumption. Electric power consumption measures the production of power plants and combined heat and power plants less transmission, distribution, and transformation losses and own use by heat and power plants.;IEA Statistics © OECD/IEA 2014 (https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics), subject to https://www.iea.org/terms/;Weighted average;Restricted use: Please contact the International Energy Agency for third-party use of these data.

Bangladesh BD: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data was reported at 313.221 kWh in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 294.693 kWh for 2013. Bangladesh BD: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 59.508 kWh from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2014, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 313.221 kWh in 2014 and a record low of 9.910 kWh in 1972. Bangladesh BD: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Environmental: Energy Production and Consumption. Electric power consumption measures the production of power plants and combined heat and power plants less transmission, distribution, and transformation losses and own use by heat and power plants.;IEA Statistics © OECD/IEA 2014 (https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics), subject to https://www.iea.org/terms/;Weighted average;Restricted use: Please contact the International Energy Agency for third-party use of these data.

Iran IR: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data was reported at 2,985.687 kWh in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,795.957 kWh for 2013. Iran IR: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 1,100.986 kWh from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2014, with 44 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,985.687 kWh in 2014 and a record low of 274.134 kWh in 1971. Iran IR: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iran – Table IR.World Bank: Energy Production and Consumption. Electric power consumption measures the production of power plants and combined heat and power plants less transmission, distribution, and transformation losses and own use by heat and power plants.; ; IEA Statistics © OECD/IEA 2014 (http://www.iea.org/stats/index.asp), subject to https://www.iea.org/t&c/termsandconditions/; Weighted average; Restricted use: Please contact the International Energy Agency for third-party use of these data.

Saudi Arabia Electricity: Consumption data was reported at 298,701.592 GWh in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 292,201.759 GWh for 2021. Saudi Arabia Electricity: Consumption data is updated yearly, averaging 219,661.644 GWh from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 298,701.592 GWh in 2022 and a record low of 114,161.021 GWh in 2000. Saudi Arabia Electricity: Consumption data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Energy. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Saudi Arabia – Table SA.RB008: Electricity Statistics.

Japan JP: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data was reported at 7,819.715 kWh in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7,988.583 kWh for 2013. Japan JP: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 5,639.949 kWh from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2014, with 55 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,710.026 kWh in 2007 and a record low of 1,110.263 kWh in 1960. Japan JP: Electric Power Consumption: per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank: Energy Production and Consumption. Electric power consumption measures the production of power plants and combined heat and power plants less transmission, distribution, and transformation losses and own use by heat and power plants.; ; IEA Statistics © OECD/IEA 2014 (http://www.iea.org/stats/index.asp), subject to https://www.iea.org/t&c/termsandconditions/; Weighted Average; Restricted use: Please contact the International Energy Agency for third-party use of these data.

China was the largest energy consumer worldwide in 2022, and is expected to keep this leading rank until 2050, with a primary energy consumption amounting to 171.5 and 195.4 quadrillion British thermal units, respectively. By comparison, South Korea is expected to consume nearly 14.3 quadrillion British thermal units of energy in 2050.

Energy Information Administration (2015). International Energy Statistics: Electricity Consumption | Indicator: Total Electricity Net Consumption (Billion Kilowatthours), 1980-2010. Data-Planet™ Statistical Ready Reference by Conquest Systems, Inc. [Data-file]. Dataset-ID: 004-014-026. Dataset: Provides statistics on electricity consumption by country, as available. For all countries except the United States, total electric power consumption = total net electricity generation + electricity imports - electricity exports – electricity transmission and distribution losses. For the United States, data are drawn from the Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Review, Table 1, which provides a total of electricity retail sales to ultimate customers by electric utilities and, beginning in 1996, other energy service providers; and direct use, ie, use of electricity that is self-generated, produced by either the same entity that consumes the power or an affiliate, and used in direct support of a service or industrial process located within the same facility or group of facilities that house the generating equipment. Data are reported as net consumption, which excludes the energy consumed by the generating units, as opposed to gross consumption. The dataset provides data for 220 countries, as available, on energy-related metrics, including total and crude oil production, oil consumption, natural gas production and consumption, coal production and consumption, electricity generation and consumption, primary energy, energy intensity, CO2 emissions and imports and exports for all fuels. Data are sourced from Energy Information Administration research, as well as from national and international agencies, listed at http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/docs/sources.cfm. Category: Energy Resources and Industries, International Relations and Trade Source: Energy Information Administration The Energy Information Administration (EIA), created by Congress in 1977, is an independent statistical and analytical agency within the United States Department of Energy. Its mission is to provide policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. http://www.eia.doe.gov/ Subject: Energy Consumption, Electricity

China Energy Consumption: Electricity data was reported at 8,835.760 kWh bn in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 8,520.010 kWh bn for 2021. China Energy Consumption: Electricity data is updated yearly, averaging 1,472.346 kWh bn from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2022, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,835.760 kWh bn in 2022 and a record low of 300.630 kWh bn in 1980. China Energy Consumption: Electricity data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by China Electricity Council. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.RCB: Electricity Consumption.

Electricity Consumption: Hainan data was reported at 48.200 kWh bn in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 41.500 kWh bn for 2022. Electricity Consumption: Hainan data is updated yearly, averaging 12.837 kWh bn from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 48.200 kWh bn in 2023 and a record low of 1.396 kWh bn in 1990. Electricity Consumption: Hainan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by China Electricity Council. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Utility Sector – Table CN.RCB: Electricity Consumption.