China vs United States: Electricity production by source
China
5,752
in 2025
United States
737.15
in 2025
China rank
1st
United States rank
3rd
Electricity production by source over time
- China
- United States
How they compare
China currently reports 5,752 against 737.15 in United States, a difference of 5,015.
That makes China's figure about 7.8 times United States's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 41 shared years of data; in 1985 it was United States ahead.
China ranks 1st and United States ranks 3rd of 211 countries.
Across the 5 decades both report, China averaged higher in 2 and United States in 3.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 335.77 | 1,588 | 1,252 | United States |
| 1990s | 708.41 | 1,873 | 1,165 | United States |
| 2000s | 1,927 | 1,952 | 24.29 | United States |
| 2010s | 4,120 | 1,417 | 2,704 | China |
| 2020s | 5,500 | 761.22 | 4,739 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher electricity production by source, China or United States?
- China, at 5,752 against 737.15 in United States as of 2025.
- What is the difference in electricity production by source between China and United States?
- 5,015, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and United States?
- 41 years are reported by both, from 1985 to 2025.
- How do China and United States rank globally for electricity production by source?
- China ranks 1st and United States ranks 3rd of 211 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Electricity production by source. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.