Consumption-based energy intensity per dollar in China
China: Consumption-based energy intensity per dollar was 1.76 kilowatt-hours per $ in 2020. ▼ Falling
Consumption-based energy intensity per dollar in China, 1995–2020
Source: Kulionis (2021) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in kilowatt-hours per $.
Analysis
The most recent figure for consumption-based energy intensity per dollar in China is 1.76 kilowatt-hours per $, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of up 8.2% on the previous year and down 18.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, consumption-based energy intensity per dollar in China peaked at 3.92 kilowatt-hours per $ in 1995 and was at its lowest, 1.58 kilowatt-hours per $, in 2017.
China ranks 4th of 43 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 26 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.34 kilowatt-hours per $ | 2.92 kilowatt-hours per $ | 3.92 kilowatt-hours per $ | 5 |
| 2000s | 2.42 kilowatt-hours per $ | 2.06 kilowatt-hours per $ | 2.78 kilowatt-hours per $ | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.86 kilowatt-hours per $ | 1.58 kilowatt-hours per $ | 2.17 kilowatt-hours per $ | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.76 kilowatt-hours per $ | 1.76 kilowatt-hours per $ | 1.76 kilowatt-hours per $ | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More energy & mining data for China
- Fuel imports 20.4% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 15.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 1.5% (2024)
- Gas production 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 1.5% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 3.4% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 59.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is consumption-based energy intensity per dollar in China?
- Consumption-based energy intensity per dollar in China was 1.76 kilowatt-hours per $ in 2020, according to Kulionis (2021) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest consumption-based energy intensity per dollar recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 3.92 kilowatt-hours per $ in 1995.
- What is the lowest consumption-based energy intensity per dollar recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.58 kilowatt-hours per $ in 2017.
- How does China rank for consumption-based energy intensity per dollar?
- China ranks 4th out of 43 countries with data for 2020.
- Is consumption-based energy intensity per dollar rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Kulionis (2021) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Consumption-based energy intensity per dollar. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Energy intensity is measured as the number of kilowatt-hours used per dollar of gross domestic product (GDP). Consumption-based energy adjusts for the energy embedded in traded goods: it is the energy used domestically minus energy used to produce exported goods; plus the energy used for imported goods.