Global Patterns of Energy Use

What is energy use per capita?

Energy use per capita refers to the average amount of energy consumed by each person in a country annually. It shows how much energy individuals have access to, on average, and allows us to compare countries fairly, no matter their population size.

Global Patterns of Energy Use

The map below shows energy use per person by country.

• High levels: High-income countries (HICs) such as the USA, Canada, and Australia use the most energy per person. This is due to high living standards, widespread car ownership, and the presence of energy-intensive industries.
• Rising levels: Newly emerging economies (NEEs) such as China and India have rapidly increased their energy use in recent decades, mainly because of industrialisation and urbanisation.
• Low levels: Many low-income countries (LICs), especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have very low energy use per person. In these places, millions of people still lack access to electricity and rely on basic fuels such as wood or dung.

Causes of Variation

1. Levels of Economic Development

• HICs: Wealth allows households to afford more electrical goods (fridges, TVs, washing machines) and cars. Energy is also needed for heating and cooling.
• NEEs: Rapid economic growth increases demand for energy to power factories, transport networks, and expanding cities.
• LICs: With fewer industries and lower incomes, less energy is consumed per person. Many people live in rural areas without electricity grids.

2. Reliance on Traditional Fuels

• Around 2.4 billion people worldwide still depend on biomass fuels (wood, charcoal, dried animal dung) for cooking and heating.
• This reliance reduces measured energy use per capita because traditional fuels are less efficient and not included in modern energy statistics in the same way.
• Collecting wood and fuel often falls to women and children, limiting education opportunities and causing health issues from smoke inhalation.

3. Demand from Different Economic Sectors

• Primary economies (common in LICs) focus on farming and small-scale activities that require little energy, apart from cooking and heating.
• Industrial economies (common in NEEs) need large amounts of energy for steel production, chemicals, construction, and manufacturing.
• Post-industrial economies (common in HICs) have shifted towards service industries and technology. These use energy too, but generally less than heavy industry.
• Transport: Car ownership, road freight, and air travel raise energy use dramatically in wealthier countries.
• Climate: Cold countries (e.g. Canada, Russia) use more energy for heating, while hot countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia, USA) use more for air conditioning.

Energy use per person is highest in rich, industrialised countries, lowest in poorer countries, and rising fastest in emerging economies. The main reasons for variation are levels of development, dependence on traditional fuels, and the balance of economic sectors.