Share of primary energy use by source in South Africa
South Africa: Share of primary energy use by source was 3.3% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of primary energy use by source in South Africa, 1965–2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, share of primary energy use by source in South Africa stood at 3.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.6% on the previous year and up 9.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of primary energy use by source in South Africa peaked at 3.5% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1965.
That places South Africa 74th out of 76 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
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 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5 |
| 1970s | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.3% | 0.8% | 2.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.9% | 0.9% | 2.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.9% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.3% | 3.0% | 3.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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)
- Fuel exports 8.2% (2025)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 10.2% (2023)
- Share of dietary energy supply from carbohydrates vs. GDP per capita 56.3% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of primary energy use by source in South Africa?
- Share of primary energy use by source in South Africa was 3.3% in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of primary energy use by source recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5% in 2023.
- What is the lowest share of primary energy use by source recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1965.
- How does South Africa rank for share of primary energy use by source?
- South Africa ranks 74th out of 76 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of primary energy use by source rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.4%. 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); Smil (2017); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of primary energy use by source. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 61 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured as a percentage of total energy supply.