Energy imports and exports in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Energy imports and exports was 44.0% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Energy imports and exports in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 1990–2023
Source: IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of energy use.
Analysis
In 2023, energy imports and exports in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stood at 44.0%.
The figure is up 12.4% on the previous year and down 13.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, energy imports and exports in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 50.6% in 2013 and was at its lowest, -21.7%, in 1999.
That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 53rd out of 142 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Energy imports and exports in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % of energy use | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2.3% | — |
| 1991 | 5.2% | +127.1% |
| 1992 | 4.0% | -23.6% |
| 1993 | -0.0% | -100.5% |
| 1994 | -14.5% | +79413.3% |
| 1995 | -17.5% | +20.4% |
| 1996 | -15.4% | -12.0% |
| 1997 | -16.2% | +5.3% |
| 1998 | -17.3% | +6.9% |
| 1999 | -21.7% | +25.3% |
| 2000 | -18.1% | -16.5% |
| 2001 | -10.1% | -44.1% |
| 2002 | -12.6% | +24.9% |
| 2003 | -6.3% | -49.8% |
| 2004 | 4.8% | -175.3% |
| 2005 | 14.2% | +197.2% |
| 2006 | 22.5% | +58.5% |
| 2007 | 21.8% | -3.0% |
| 2008 | 28.2% | +29.1% |
| 2009 | 28.9% | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 30.8% | +6.9% |
| 2011 | 39.5% | +28.0% |
| 2012 | 46.0% | +16.5% |
| 2013 | 50.6% | +10.0% |
| 2014 | 49.7% | -1.7% |
| 2015 | 40.3% | -19.0% |
| 2016 | 38.0% | -5.8% |
| 2017 | 38.0% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 38.2% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 36.5% | -4.3% |
| 2020 | 28.5% | -22.0% |
| 2021 | 38.9% | +36.6% |
| 2022 | 39.2% | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 44.0% | +12.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | -9.1% | -21.7% | 5.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.3% | -18.1% | 28.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.8% | 30.8% | 50.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 37.7% | 28.5% | 44.0% | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More energy & mining data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -1.3 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 8.2% (2025)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is energy imports and exports in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Energy imports and exports in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 44.0% in 2023, according to IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest energy imports and exports recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 50.6% in 2013.
- What is the lowest energy imports and exports recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was -21.7% in 1999.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for energy imports and exports?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 53rd out of 142 countries with data for 2023.
- Is energy imports and exports rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from IEA Energy Statistics Data Browser, IEA, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Energy imports and exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Energy trade, measured as the percentage of energy use. Positive values indicate a country or region is a net importer of energy. Negative numbers indicate a country or region is a net exporter.