Global primary energy consumption by region 2010-2020

The Asia Pacific region consumes the most primary energy in the world, at around 253 exajoules in 2020. Primary energy consumption is the use of crude energy prior to refining or conversion. Consumption of primary energy is generally increasing worldwide and has risen in Asia-Pacific by more than 50 exajoules since 2010.

Countries with the highest consumption

North America follows Asia Pacific as the world’s second-largest consumer of primary energy, consuming 107.9 exajoules. High consumption levels in Asia Pacific and North America come in large part from China and the United States. Rapid industrial growth and a growing middle class, have resulted in annual per capita energy consumption of households in China to nearly double since 2008.

Growth and common energy sources

While primary energy use has steadily increases across the globe, renewable energy consumption has more than quadrupled since 2008. Nevertheless, renewables remain among the least-used primary energy source, just below nuclear power. Fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, are consumed at a higher volume than any other type of primary energy source in the world.