Global primary energy - statistics & facts

Primary energy is the inherent energy or energy potential of natural phenomena and raw materials prior to human manipulation. The most important primary energy sources are fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal, as well as renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. As the latter two are intangible, primary energy use factors in the amount of electricity (a secondary energy form) generated via these sources. Due to the size of its population and industry, China is the largest primary energy consumer in the world.

Fossil fuel reserves and consumption

Crude oil is the most consumed primary energy source. Some 190 exajoules are distributed and used every year. Oil is the main feedstock in motor fuels like gasoline and diesel, and also the fundamental ingredient of petrochemicals such as plastics and pharmaceuticals. Global crude oil reserves amount to around 1.7 trillion barrels. Coal is the second most consumed primary energy fuel. Coal consumption is largely driven by electricity demand as it remains the predominant source of electricity generation worldwide. Although figures have fallen by around 10 percent since 1965, the fossil fuel share in energy consumption remains above 80 percent.

The role of renewables in the energy industry

As the world continues to heavily utilize fossil fuels, renewables play a comparatively small role in primary energy consumption. Biomass is the most used renewable energy source, accounting for roughly 10 percent of global primary energy demand shares. Although many governments have committed to net-zero emissions targets for 2050, the OPEC expects renewables to account for less than one-fourth of total fuel demand in 2045.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Lucía Fernández, Oct 12, 2023

Key insights

Primary energy consumption
604.04 EJ
Fossil fuel demand
497.3 EJ
Crude oil share in primary energy demand
31.2%
Get more insights

Company Insights Top 100 energy & environment companies

Add-On
Top 100 energy & environment companies
View complete top 100 ranking

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Primary energy consumption worldwide in 2022, by country (in exajoules)

Energy

Global primary energy consumption 2022, by country

Primary energy consumption worldwide from 2019 to 2022, by fuel type (in exajoules)

Energy

Global primary energy consumption 2019-2022, by fuel

Primary energy demand worldwide in 2022, with a forecast until 2045, by fuel type (in million barrels of oil equivalent per day)

Energy

Global primary energy demand by fuel type 2022-2045

Related topics

Fossil fuels

4

Renewables

5

Recommended statistics

Overview

3

Overview

Reserves

3

Reserves

Production

8

Production

Consumption

5

Consumption

Outlook

3

Outlook

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Oil industry worldwide
Oil industry worldwide
Coal mining worldwide
Coal mining worldwide
Global energy prices
Global energy prices
Global renewable energy industry
Global renewable energy industry
Coal energy worldwide
Coal energy worldwide
Natural gas industry worldwide
Natural gas industry worldwide
Energy consumption worldwide
Energy consumption worldwide
Global electricity
Global electricity

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
support.japan@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu