China vs Saudi Arabia: Fossil fuel consumption by type
China
9,401
in 2025
Saudi Arabia
1,981
in 2025
China rank
2nd
Saudi Arabia rank
5th
Fossil fuel consumption by type over time
- China
- Saudi Arabia
How they compare
China currently reports 9,401 against 1,981 in Saudi Arabia, a difference of 7,420.
That makes China's figure about 4.7 times Saudi Arabia's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 61 shared years of data; in 1965 it was Saudi Arabia ahead.
China ranks 2nd and Saudi Arabia ranks 5th of 79 countries.
Across the 7 decades both report, China averaged higher in 6 and Saudi Arabia in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | Saudi Arabia | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 175.53 | 233.09 | 57.56 | Saudi Arabia |
| 1970s | 751.66 | 287.84 | 463.82 | China |
| 1980s | 1,045 | 502.85 | 541.67 | China |
| 1990s | 1,830 | 711.5 | 1,118 | China |
| 2000s | 3,648 | 1,119 | 2,529 | China |
| 2010s | 6,422 | 1,892 | 4,530 | China |
| 2020s | 8,662 | 1,925 | 6,737 | China |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher fossil fuel consumption by type, China or Saudi Arabia?
- China, at 9,401 against 1,981 in Saudi Arabia as of 2025.
- What is the difference in fossil fuel consumption by type between China and Saudi Arabia?
- 7,420, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and Saudi Arabia?
- 61 years are reported by both, from 1965 to 2025.
- How do China and Saudi Arabia rank globally for fossil fuel consumption by type?
- China ranks 2nd and Saudi Arabia ranks 5th of 79 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Fossil fuel consumption by type. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.