China vs United States: Fossil fuel consumption by type
China
9,401
in 2025
United States
10,118
in 2025
China rank
2nd
United States rank
1st
Fossil fuel consumption by type over time
- China
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 10,118 against 9,401 in China, a difference of 717.
That makes United States's figure about 1.1 times China's.
Across all 61 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
China ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st of 79 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 7 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 175.53 | 7,085 | 6,909 | United States |
| 1970s | 751.66 | 9,449 | 8,698 | United States |
| 1980s | 1,045 | 8,918 | 7,873 | United States |
| 1990s | 1,830 | 9,717 | 7,888 | United States |
| 2000s | 3,648 | 10,726 | 7,079 | United States |
| 2010s | 6,422 | 9,889 | 3,467 | United States |
| 2020s | 8,662 | 9,823 | 1,161 | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher fossil fuel consumption by type, China or United States?
- United States, at 10,118 against 9,401 in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in fossil fuel consumption by type between China and United States?
- 717, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and United States?
- 61 years are reported by both, from 1965 to 2025.
- How do China and United States rank globally for fossil fuel consumption by type?
- China ranks 2nd and United States ranks 1st 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.