Fuel imports in China
China: Fuel imports was 20.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Fuel imports in China, 1984–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2024, fuel imports in China stood at 20.4%.
The figure is down 2.9% on the previous year and up 17.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fuel imports in China peaked at 21.0% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 1985.
China ranks 53rd of 196 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.
Fuel imports in China, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 0.5% | — |
| 1985 | 0.4% | -19.8% |
| 1986 | 1.2% | +193.9% |
| 1987 | 1.2% | +2.8% |
| 1992 | 4.4% | +261.9% |
| 1993 | 5.6% | +26.3% |
| 1994 | 3.5% | -37.7% |
| 1995 | 3.9% | +11.2% |
| 1996 | 5.0% | +27.6% |
| 1997 | 7.2% | +46.1% |
| 1998 | 4.8% | -33.3% |
| 1999 | 5.4% | +11.3% |
| 2000 | 9.5% | +76.0% |
| 2001 | 7.4% | -21.5% |
| 2002 | 6.9% | -7.5% |
| 2003 | 7.5% | +9.4% |
| 2004 | 9.2% | +22.0% |
| 2005 | 10.6% | +15.1% |
| 2006 | 12.4% | +17.2% |
| 2007 | 12.1% | -2.5% |
| 2008 | 16.3% | +34.7% |
| 2009 | 13.5% | -17.1% |
| 2010 | 14.7% | +8.7% |
| 2011 | 17.0% | +16.1% |
| 2012 | 18.7% | +9.8% |
| 2013 | 17.6% | -5.9% |
| 2014 | 17.5% | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 12.9% | -26.0% |
| 2016 | 12.1% | -6.5% |
| 2017 | 14.6% | +20.6% |
| 2018 | 17.5% | +19.8% |
| 2019 | 17.9% | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 14.1% | -21.2% |
| 2021 | 16.1% | +14.1% |
| 2022 | 20.6% | +28.5% |
| 2023 | 21.0% | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 20.4% | -2.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.8% | 0.4% | 1.2% | 4 |
| 1990s | 5.0% | 3.5% | 7.2% | 8 |
| 2000s | 10.5% | 6.9% | 16.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.0% | 12.1% | 18.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.4% | 14.1% | 21.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More energy & mining data for China
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 2.15 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 15.1% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fuel imports in China?
- Fuel imports in China was 20.4% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest fuel imports recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 21.0% in 2023.
- What is the lowest fuel imports recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 1985.
- How does China rank for fuel imports?
- China ranks 53rd out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is fuel imports rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Fuels comprise the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) section 3 (mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.