Thermal coal use by major region 2020-2050
China is the leading consumer of thermal coal worldwide. Thermal coal consumption in the country was 3.7 billion short tons in 2020 and is forecast to fall to 3.4 billion short tons by 2050. In the OECD region, The United States has the highest thermal coal consumption, at 448 million short tons in 2020. Most regions and countries are expected to see a reduction in thermal coal use, with the notable exception of India, Russia, and the African continent.