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%.
That represents a change of 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.
South Africa ranks 75th of 77 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of primary energy use by source in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 0.0% | — |
| 1966 | 0.0% | — |
| 1967 | 0.0% | — |
| 1968 | 0.0% | — |
| 1969 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1971 | 0.1% | — |
| 1972 | 0.2% | +44.7% |
| 1973 | 0.2% | +0.7% |
| 1974 | 0.2% | +14.1% |
| 1975 | 0.3% | +23.3% |
| 1976 | 0.3% | -3.0% |
| 1977 | 0.3% | -6.5% |
| 1978 | 0.3% | +3.6% |
| 1979 | 0.3% | +19.4% |
| 1980 | 0.3% | +6.0% |
| 1981 | 0.3% | -16.5% |
| 1982 | 0.2% | -15.5% |
| 1983 | 0.3% | +11.7% |
| 1984 | 0.2% | -8.3% |
| 1985 | 0.2% | -7.6% |
| 1986 | 0.2% | +3.1% |
| 1987 | 0.2% | -8.9% |
| 1988 | 0.2% | -8.2% |
| 1989 | 0.2% | +6.6% |
| 1990 | 1.9% | +844.4% |
| 1991 | 2.0% | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 1.8% | -8.3% |
| 1993 | 1.2% | -30.7% |
| 1994 | 1.2% | -3.9% |
| 1995 | 1.2% | -3.3% |
| 1996 | 1.0% | -14.5% |
| 1997 | 0.8% | -18.9% |
| 1998 | 0.8% | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 1.0% | +23.3% |
| 2000 | 1.0% | -4.0% |
| 2001 | 1.2% | +20.9% |
| 2002 | 1.2% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | 0.9% | -27.1% |
| 2004 | 1.9% | +117.3% |
| 2005 | 2.6% | +37.1% |
| 2006 | 2.7% | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 2.6% | -1.7% |
| 2008 | 2.7% | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 2.4% | -10.4% |
| 2010 | 2.9% | +20.0% |
| 2011 | 3.1% | +7.2% |
| 2012 | 3.0% | -2.2% |
| 2013 | 2.8% | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 3.1% | +8.9% |
| 2015 | 3.1% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 2.6% | -16.4% |
| 2017 | 2.9% | +14.7% |
| 2018 | 3.1% | +6.5% |
| 2019 | 2.9% | -8.1% |
| 2020 | 3.0% | +3.8% |
| 2021 | 3.1% | +4.9% |
| 2022 | 3.3% | +5.7% |
| 2023 | 3.5% | +6.6% |
| 2024 | 3.4% | -3.4% |
| 2025 | 3.3% | -1.6% |
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)
- 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 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 75th out of 77 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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About this data
Measured as a percentage of total energy supply.