Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in China
China: Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source was 18,093 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in China, 1965–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in kilowatt-hours per person.
Analysis
The most recent figure for fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in China is 18,093 kilowatt-hours per person, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 61 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.2% on the previous year and up 13.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in China peaked at 18,093 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1,608 kilowatt-hours per person, in 1968.
That places China 3rd out of 78 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 | 1,784 kilowatt-hours per person | 1,608 kilowatt-hours per person | 1,917 kilowatt-hours per person | 5 |
| 1970s | 2,898 kilowatt-hours per person | 2,344 kilowatt-hours per person | 3,511 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 4,331 kilowatt-hours per person | 3,528 kilowatt-hours per person | 5,332 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 6,083 kilowatt-hours per person | 5,318 kilowatt-hours per person | 6,577 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 10,652 kilowatt-hours per person | 6,468 kilowatt-hours per person | 14,603 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 15,939 kilowatt-hours per person | 15,050 kilowatt-hours per person | 16,608 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 17,323 kilowatt-hours per person | 16,145 kilowatt-hours per person | 18,093 kilowatt-hours per person | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
- 1 Kazakhstan 20,954 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 2 Estonia 18,970 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 4 South Africa 15,640 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 5 Taiwan 15,405 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 6 South Korea 15,352 kilowatt-hours per person compare
More energy & mining data for China
- Fuel imports 20.4% (2024)
- Ores and metals imports 15.1% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 1.5% (2024)
- Gas production 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 2,641 terawatt-hours (2025)
- Gas production per person 1,865 kilowatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel exports 1.5% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 3.4% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 59.5% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in China?
- Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in China was 18,093 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest fossil fuel consumption per capita by source recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 18,093 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025.
- What is the lowest fossil fuel consumption per capita by source recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,608 kilowatt-hours per person in 1968.
- How does China rank for fossil fuel consumption per capita by source?
- China ranks 3rd out of 78 countries with data for 2025.
- Is fossil fuel consumption per capita by source rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source. 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.