Energy intensity in Iraq
Iraq: Energy intensity was 4.96 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Energy intensity in Iraq, 2000–2021
Source: International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN Statistics Division, World Health Organization (WHO), and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices.
Analysis
Iraq recorded 4.96 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices for energy intensity in 2021.
That represents a change of down 2.9% on the previous year and down 5.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, energy intensity in Iraq peaked at 16.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2002 and was at its lowest, 4.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2016.
Iraq ranks 69th of 201 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Energy intensity in Iraq, year by year
| Year | megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 13.05 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2001 | 15.64 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +19.8% |
| 2002 | 16.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +3.4% |
| 2003 | 7.88 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -51.3% |
| 2004 | 5.51 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -30.1% |
| 2005 | 5.41 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 4.98 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -7.9% |
| 2007 | 4.81 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 4.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 4.99 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +4.0% |
| 2010 | 5.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +3.6% |
| 2011 | 5.27 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 5.12 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.8% |
| 2013 | 4.92 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.9% |
| 2014 | 4.66 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -5.3% |
| 2015 | 4.31 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -7.5% |
| 2016 | 4.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.2% |
| 2017 | 4.86 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +16.5% |
| 2018 | 5.25 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +8.0% |
| 2019 | 5.3 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.6% |
| 2021 | 4.96 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.32 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 4.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 16.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.9 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 4.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 5.3 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.04 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 4.96 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 66 Republic of Korea 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 67 Vanuatu 5.04 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 68 Serbia 5.02 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 69 Cambodia 4.96 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 71 Guinea 4.95 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 72 Sudan 4.83 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
More energy & mining data for Iraq
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fuel imports 22.9% (2014)
- Ores and metals imports 3.4% (2014)
- Ores and metals exports 0.0% (2013)
- Gas production 109.4 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 2,327 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 109.4 terawatt-hours (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is energy intensity in Iraq?
- Energy intensity in Iraq was 4.96 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2021, according to International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN Statistics Division, World Health Organization (WHO), and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest energy intensity recorded in Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 16.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2002.
- What is the lowest energy intensity recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2016.
- How does Iraq rank for energy intensity?
- Iraq ranks 69th out of 201 countries with data for 2021.
- Is energy intensity rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq data come from?
- The figures come from International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN Statistics Division, World Health Organization (WHO), and World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Energy intensity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Amount of energy needed to produce one unit of economic output. A lower number means that economies produce economic value in a less energy-intensive way. This data is measured in megajoules per dollar, adjusted for inflation and differences in living costs between countries.