Primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables in South Korea
South Korea: Primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables was 15.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables in South Korea, 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
South Korea recorded 15.5% for primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.6% on the previous year and up 5.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables in South Korea peaked at 16.6% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1965.
That places South Korea 12th out of 215 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
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 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 2.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 8.3% | 1.9% | 15.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 12.5% | 10.8% | 14.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 15.5% | 14.5% | 16.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.5% | 11.2% | 14.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 14.8% | 13.3% | 15.6% | 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 53.94 (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables in South Korea?
- Primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables in South Korea was 15.5% 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 primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 16.6% in 2005.
- What is the lowest primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1965.
- How does South Korea rank for primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables?
- South Korea ranks 12th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.1%. 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); U.S. Energy Information Administration (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Primary energy from fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables. 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.