Energy intensity in Republic of Korea
Republic of Korea: Energy intensity was 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022. ▼ Falling
Energy intensity in Republic of Korea, 2000–2022
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
The most recent figure for energy intensity in Republic of Korea is 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices, measured in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 23 years on record.
That represents a change of down 3.9% on the previous year and down 16.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, energy intensity in Republic of Korea peaked at 7.23 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2000 and was at its lowest, 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2022.
That places Republic of Korea 66th out of 201 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Energy intensity in Republic of Korea, year by year
| Year | megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 7.23 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2001 | 6.99 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.3% |
| 2002 | 6.82 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 6.74 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 6.59 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.2% |
| 2005 | 6.37 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 6.15 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.5% |
| 2007 | 6.05 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.6% |
| 2008 | 6 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -0.8% |
| 2009 | 6.01 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 6.14 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 6.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 6.09 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 5.91 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.0% |
| 2014 | 5.83 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.4% |
| 2015 | 5.76 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.2% |
| 2016 | 5.79 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 5.61 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.1% |
| 2018 | 5.45 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.9% |
| 2019 | 5.29 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.9% |
| 2020 | 5.25 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 5.32 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 6.5 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 6 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 7.23 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 5.29 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 6.17 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.23 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 5.32 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 3 |
Countries ranked near Republic of Korea
- 63 Libya 5.26 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 64 Niger 5.19 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 65 Solomon Islands 5.18 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
- 69 Iraq 4.96 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
More energy & mining data for Republic of Korea
- Fuel imports 25.7% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 6.7% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 2.4% (2024)
- Gas production 0 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 0 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 0 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 0 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Gas production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is energy intensity in Republic of Korea?
- Energy intensity in Republic of Korea was 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022, 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 Republic of Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 7.23 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2000.
- What is the lowest energy intensity recorded in Republic of Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.11 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2022.
- How does Republic of Korea rank for energy intensity?
- Republic of Korea ranks 66th out of 201 countries with data for 2022.
- Is energy intensity rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Republic of Korea 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.