Fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel in South Africa
South Africa: Fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel was 722.95 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
722.95 kilowatt-hours per person
Change on year
down 3.0%
World rank
101st
of 215 countries
All-time high
810.17 kilowatt-hours per person
in 2012
All-time low
0 kilowatt-hours per person
in 1965
Years of data
61
1965–2025
Fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel in South Africa, 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
The most recent figure for fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel in South Africa is 722.95 kilowatt-hours per person, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 3.0% on the previous year and down 5.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel in South Africa peaked at 810.17 kilowatt-hours per person in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0 kilowatt-hours per person, in 1965.
South Africa ranks 101st of 215 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel in South Africa, year by year
| Year | kilowatt-hours per person | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | — |
| 1966 | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | — |
| 1967 | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | — |
| 1968 | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | — |
| 1969 | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | — |
| 1970 | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | — |
| 1971 | 26.8 kilowatt-hours per person | — |
| 1972 | 38.81 kilowatt-hours per person | +44.8% |
| 1973 | 40.86 kilowatt-hours per person | +5.3% |
| 1974 | 46.6 kilowatt-hours per person | +14.1% |
| 1975 | 59.6 kilowatt-hours per person | +27.9% |
| 1976 | 58.58 kilowatt-hours per person | -1.7% |
| 1977 | 54.63 kilowatt-hours per person | -6.8% |
| 1978 | 54.53 kilowatt-hours per person | -0.2% |
| 1979 | 65.6 kilowatt-hours per person | +20.3% |
| 1980 | 72.04 kilowatt-hours per person | +9.8% |
| 1981 | 67.57 kilowatt-hours per person | -6.2% |
| 1982 | 59.42 kilowatt-hours per person | -12.1% |
| 1983 | 65.02 kilowatt-hours per person | +9.4% |
| 1984 | 63 kilowatt-hours per person | -3.1% |
| 1985 | 57.53 kilowatt-hours per person | -8.7% |
| 1986 | 58.46 kilowatt-hours per person | +1.6% |
| 1987 | 52.42 kilowatt-hours per person | -10.3% |
| 1988 | 51.3 kilowatt-hours per person | -2.1% |
| 1989 | 50.78 kilowatt-hours per person | -1.0% |
| 1990 | 483.69 kilowatt-hours per person | +852.6% |
| 1991 | 478.31 kilowatt-hours per person | -1.1% |
| 1992 | 433.79 kilowatt-hours per person | -9.3% |
| 1993 | 294.2 kilowatt-hours per person | -32.2% |
| 1994 | 289.84 kilowatt-hours per person | -1.5% |
| 1995 | 289.87 kilowatt-hours per person | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 249.2 kilowatt-hours per person | -14.0% |
| 1997 | 203.98 kilowatt-hours per person | -18.1% |
| 1998 | 201.14 kilowatt-hours per person | -1.4% |
| 1999 | 253.88 kilowatt-hours per person | +26.2% |
| 2000 | 241.65 kilowatt-hours per person | -4.8% |
| 2001 | 290.73 kilowatt-hours per person | +20.3% |
| 2002 | 289.87 kilowatt-hours per person | -0.3% |
| 2003 | 217.01 kilowatt-hours per person | -25.1% |
| 2004 | 496.88 kilowatt-hours per person | +129.0% |
| 2005 | 698.22 kilowatt-hours per person | +40.5% |
| 2006 | 748.96 kilowatt-hours per person | +7.3% |
| 2007 | 750.24 kilowatt-hours per person | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 767.28 kilowatt-hours per person | +2.3% |
| 2009 | 642.59 kilowatt-hours per person | -16.3% |
| 2010 | 787.49 kilowatt-hours per person | +22.6% |
| 2011 | 807.8 kilowatt-hours per person | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 810.17 kilowatt-hours per person | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 741.49 kilowatt-hours per person | -8.5% |
| 2014 | 773.13 kilowatt-hours per person | +4.3% |
| 2015 | 761.35 kilowatt-hours per person | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 638.26 kilowatt-hours per person | -16.2% |
| 2017 | 695.92 kilowatt-hours per person | +9.0% |
| 2018 | 752.53 kilowatt-hours per person | +8.1% |
| 2019 | 715.11 kilowatt-hours per person | -5.0% |
| 2020 | 655.61 kilowatt-hours per person | -8.3% |
| 2021 | 682.78 kilowatt-hours per person | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 684.45 kilowatt-hours per person | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 750.63 kilowatt-hours per person | +9.7% |
| 2024 | 745.39 kilowatt-hours per person | -0.7% |
| 2025 | 722.95 kilowatt-hours per person | -3.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | 5 |
| 1970s | 44.6 kilowatt-hours per person | 0 kilowatt-hours per person | 65.6 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 59.75 kilowatt-hours per person | 50.78 kilowatt-hours per person | 72.04 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 317.79 kilowatt-hours per person | 201.14 kilowatt-hours per person | 483.69 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 514.34 kilowatt-hours per person | 217.01 kilowatt-hours per person | 767.28 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 748.32 kilowatt-hours per person | 638.26 kilowatt-hours per person | 810.17 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 706.97 kilowatt-hours per person | 655.61 kilowatt-hours per person | 750.63 kilowatt-hours per person | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 98 Myanmar 805.74 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 99 Sweden 797.37 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 100 El Salvador 783.45 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 102 Bosnia and Herzegovina 693.35 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 103 Mozambique 634.54 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 104 Viet Nam 569.29 kilowatt-hours per person compare
More energy & mining data for South Africa
- Fuel imports 17.7% (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 2.5% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 30.3% (2025)
- Gas production 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 9.82 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 9.82 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 fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel in South Africa?
- Fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel in South Africa was 722.95 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 fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 810.17 kilowatt-hours per person in 2012.
- What is the lowest fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 kilowatt-hours per person in 1965.
- How does South Africa rank for fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel?
- South Africa ranks 101st out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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 Fossil fuel consumption per person, by fuel. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Measured in kilowatt-hours per person.