Energy use per person vs. GDP per capita in South Korea
South Korea: Energy use per person vs. GDP per capita was 69,745 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Energy use per person vs. GDP per capita in South Korea, 1965–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in kilowatt-hours per person.
Analysis
In 2025, energy use per person vs. gdp per capita in South Korea stood at 69,745 kilowatt-hours per person.
That represents a change of down 1.5% on the previous year and up 5.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, energy use per person vs. gdp per capita in South Korea peaked at 70,773 kilowatt-hours per person in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2,507 kilowatt-hours per person, in 1965.
South Korea ranks 16th of 217 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 3,412 kilowatt-hours per person | 2,507 kilowatt-hours per person | 4,443 kilowatt-hours per person | 5 |
| 1970s | 7,564 kilowatt-hours per person | 5,073 kilowatt-hours per person | 11,595 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 15,495 kilowatt-hours per person | 11,823 kilowatt-hours per person | 21,724 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 37,168 kilowatt-hours per person | 24,495 kilowatt-hours per person | 46,939 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 54,673 kilowatt-hours per person | 48,622 kilowatt-hours per person | 59,263 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 66,887 kilowatt-hours per person | 63,584 kilowatt-hours per person | 69,690 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 69,233 kilowatt-hours per person | 65,886 kilowatt-hours per person | 70,773 kilowatt-hours per person | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 13 Oman 87,463 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 14 Canada 83,452 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 15 United States 75,051 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 18 Faroe Islands 64,642 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 19 Russia 60,168 kilowatt-hours per person compare
More energy & mining data for South 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)
- Fuel exports 7.7% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 3.3% (2024)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 53.9% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is energy use per person vs. gdp per capita in South Korea?
- Energy use per person vs. gdp per capita in South Korea was 69,745 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest energy use per person vs. gdp per capita recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 70,773 kilowatt-hours per person in 2024.
- What is the lowest energy use per person vs. gdp per capita recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,507 kilowatt-hours per person in 1965.
- How does South Korea rank for energy use per person vs. gdp per capita?
- South Korea ranks 16th out of 217 countries with data for 2025.
- Is energy use per person vs. gdp per capita rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Energy use per person vs. GDP per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Measured in kilowatt-hours of total energy supply per person.