Primary energy use by source in South Korea
South Korea: Primary energy use by source was 3.67 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Primary energy use by source in South Korea, 1965–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 3.67 terawatt-hours for primary energy use by source in 2025.
That represents a change of down 1.9% on the previous year and up 173.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary energy use by source in South Korea peaked at 3.74 terawatt-hours in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0 terawatt-hours, in 1965.
That places South Korea 40th out of 79 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1980s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.0011 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0.0058 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.1982 terawatt-hours | 0.0126 terawatt-hours | 0.6854 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.52 terawatt-hours | 0.817 terawatt-hours | 2.68 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.42 terawatt-hours | 3.15 terawatt-hours | 3.74 terawatt-hours | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
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 primary energy use by source in South Korea?
- Primary energy use by source in South Korea was 3.67 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest primary energy use by source recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 3.74 terawatt-hours in 2024.
- What is the lowest primary energy use by source recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 terawatt-hours in 1965.
- How does South Korea rank for primary energy use by source?
- South Korea ranks 40th out of 79 countries with data for 2025.
- Is primary energy use by source rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 173.1%. 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) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Primary energy use by source. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 61 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in terawatt-hours of total energy supply.