Energy intensity in Nigeria
Nigeria: Energy intensity was 6.57 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2021. ▼ Falling
Energy intensity in Nigeria, 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
The most recent figure for energy intensity in Nigeria is 6.57 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 7.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, energy intensity in Nigeria peaked at 10.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2000 and was at its lowest, 6.14 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices, in 2015.
That places Nigeria 37th out of 201 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Energy intensity in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 10.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2001 | 10.55 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.3% |
| 2002 | 9.49 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -10.0% |
| 2003 | 9.09 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -4.2% |
| 2004 | 8.36 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -8.0% |
| 2005 | 8.27 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.1% |
| 2006 | 7.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -5.7% |
| 2007 | 7.55 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.2% |
| 2008 | 7.28 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.6% |
| 2009 | 6.6 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -9.3% |
| 2010 | 6.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +3.0% |
| 2011 | 7.07 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +4.0% |
| 2012 | 6.86 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.0% |
| 2013 | 6.65 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.1% |
| 2014 | 6.4 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -3.8% |
| 2015 | 6.14 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -4.1% |
| 2016 | 6.46 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +5.2% |
| 2017 | 6.41 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -0.8% |
| 2018 | 6.27 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 6.5 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 6.64 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 6.57 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.58 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 6.6 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 10.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.56 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 6.14 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 7.07 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.61 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 6.57 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 6.64 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 35 Congo 6.72 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 36 Micronesia (country) 6.62 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 37 South Africa 6.57 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 39 Somalia 6.51 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 40 North Korea 6.48 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices compare
More energy & mining data for Nigeria
- 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 38.0% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 1.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 1.2% (2024)
- Gas production 507.74 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 2,138 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 507.74 terawatt-hours (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is energy intensity in Nigeria?
- Energy intensity in Nigeria was 6.57 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 Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 10.8 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2000.
- What is the lowest energy intensity recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.14 megajoules per international-$ in 2021 prices in 2015.
- How does Nigeria rank for energy intensity?
- Nigeria ranks 37th out of 201 countries with data for 2021.
- Is energy intensity rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Nigeria 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.