Primary energy use per person in China
China: Primary energy use per person was 31,815 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Primary energy use per person in China, 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 primary energy use per person in China is 31,815 kilowatt-hours per person, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 61 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.4% on the previous year and up 35.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary energy use per person in China peaked at 31,815 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1,885 kilowatt-hours per person, in 1968.
China ranks 58th of 217 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2,061 kilowatt-hours per person | 1,885 kilowatt-hours per person | 2,244 kilowatt-hours per person | 5 |
| 1970s | 3,853 kilowatt-hours per person | 2,811 kilowatt-hours per person | 4,825 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 5,529 kilowatt-hours per person | 4,646 kilowatt-hours per person | 6,706 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 7,897 kilowatt-hours per person | 6,667 kilowatt-hours per person | 8,732 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 14,258 kilowatt-hours per person | 8,954 kilowatt-hours per person | 19,387 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 23,381 kilowatt-hours per person | 20,500 kilowatt-hours per person | 25,765 kilowatt-hours per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 29,240 kilowatt-hours per person | 26,383 kilowatt-hours per person | 31,815 kilowatt-hours per person | 6 |
Countries ranked near China
- 55 Slovakia 32,860 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 56 Slovenia 32,538 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 57 Nauru 32,035 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 59 Seychelles 31,605 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 60 Spain 30,144 kilowatt-hours per person compare
- 61 Israel 30,135 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 primary energy use per person in China?
- Primary energy use per person in China was 31,815 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 primary energy use per person recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 31,815 kilowatt-hours per person in 2025.
- What is the lowest primary energy use per person recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,885 kilowatt-hours per person in 1968.
- How does China rank for primary energy use per person?
- China ranks 58th out of 217 countries with data for 2025.
- Is primary energy use per person rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.0%. 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) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Primary energy use per person. 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.