Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in South Korea
South Korea: Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source was 15,352 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in South Korea, 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
In 2025, fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in South Korea stood at 15,352 kilowatt-hours per person.
That represents a change of up 0.2% on the previous year and down 21.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in South Korea peaked at 20,485 kilowatt-hours per person in 2018 and was at its lowest, 1,884 kilowatt-hours per person, in 1968.
That places South Korea 6th 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 | 2,000 kilowatt-hours per person | 1,884 kilowatt-hours per person | 2,185 kilowatt-hours per person | 5 |
| 1970s | 2,628 kilowatt-hours per person | 1,990 kilowatt-hours per person | 3,652 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 5,624 kilowatt-hours per person | 4,025 kilowatt-hours per person | 6,818 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 7,922 kilowatt-hours per person | 6,520 kilowatt-hours per person | 9,895 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 13,686 kilowatt-hours per person | 10,993 kilowatt-hours per person | 16,871 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 19,545 kilowatt-hours per person | 18,786 kilowatt-hours per person | 20,485 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 16,406 kilowatt-hours per person | 15,322 kilowatt-hours per person | 17,534 kilowatt-hours per person | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 3 China 18,093 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 4 South Africa 15,640 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 5 Taiwan 15,405 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 7 Australia 15,029 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 8 Czechia 9,984 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 9 Japan 9,834 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 fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in South Korea?
- Fossil fuel consumption per capita by source in South Korea was 15,352 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 20,485 kilowatt-hours per person in 2018.
- What is the lowest fossil fuel consumption per capita by source recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,884 kilowatt-hours per person in 1968.
- How does South Korea rank for fossil fuel consumption per capita by source?
- South Korea ranks 6th out of 78 countries with data for 2025.
- Is fossil fuel consumption per capita by source rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.3%. 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); 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.