Regan Brown
A graph illustrating fossil fuel consumption by country would show that China, the United States, and India are the top three consumers of fossil fuels, with China and the US alone accounting for almost half (47%) of global fossil fuel consumption. However, when looking at per capita consumption, the US is far from the top, with seven countries, including Equatorial Guinea and Singapore, consuming 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person. China's fossil fuel consumption has been driven by increased coal and oil use, despite the global boom in renewable energy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Data | 2023 |
| Source of Data | Energy Institute, June 2024 |
| Number of Countries in the Data | 12 |
| Top 3 Countries with Highest Fossil Fuel Consumption | China, US, India |
| Fossil Fuel Consumption of China | 140 exajoules or 5.8 billion tonnes of hard coal |
| Fossil Fuel Consumption of the US | 76 exajoules |
| Fossil Fuel Consumption of India | 35 exajoules |
| Global Fossil Fuel Consumption | 81.5% of the global energy mix |
| Largest Suppliers of US Crude Oil Imports | Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia |
| China's Largest Crude Oil Supplier | Russia |
| Countries with Highest Per Capita Fossil Fuel Consumption | Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait |
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What You'll Learn
China, the US and India are the top consumers
China, the US, and India are the top consumers of fossil fuels globally. According to the Global Material Flow Database developed by the UN Environment Programme, these three countries consume 54% of the world's fossil fuels by weight. China leads the way, with the United States following closely behind, and India in third place. In 2023, China consumed approximately 140 exajoules of fossil fuels, which is equivalent to about 5.8 billion tonnes of hard coal. The US consumed 76 exajoules, and India, 35 exajoules.
China's primary energy mix has shifted from a dominant use of coal to an increase in natural gas and renewable sources. Despite this shift, China's fossil fuel consumption reached a new record high in 2023 due to increased coal and oil use. The US also relies heavily on fossil fuels, with crude oil playing a significant role in its energy mix. In 2024, China became the largest importer of crude oil in the world, with Russia supplying a fifth of its oil demand. America, on the other hand, pumps out approximately 13.4 million barrels of crude oil per day but still relies on imports, with Canada providing 61.7% of its total crude imports.
While China and the US are the top consumers of fossil fuels, it is worth noting that they are also vast countries with large populations. When looking at per capita fossil fuel consumption, some smaller countries with high production levels, such as Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, and Singapore, surpass them. These countries consume 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person per year.
Overall, the top three consumers of fossil fuels, China, the US, and India, are responsible for a significant proportion of global fossil fuel consumption. While there are shifts towards renewable energy sources, particularly in China, fossil fuel consumption in these countries continues to have a major impact on the global energy mix.
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Per capita, Equatorial Guinea is the highest
While China, the United States, and India are the top three fossil fuel-consuming countries, they are not the highest per capita consumers. Per capita fossil fuel consumption is highest in Equatorial Guinea, at 18 metric tons per person per year. This small African country has a population of just over 1.2 million people and is one of the top oil-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Other countries that consume 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person include Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. Many of these countries are also significant producers of fossil fuels.
In contrast, the United States, which is the second-largest consumer of primary energy, is far from the top in terms of per capita consumption. China and the United States are responsible for almost half (47%) of global fossil fuel consumption. In 2023, China consumed 140 exajoules of fossil fuels, followed by the US with 76 exajoules, and India with 35 exajoules.
Primary energy consumption includes energy sources that are commercially traded, such as modern renewables used to generate electricity, and fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas. While global primary energy consumption has increased over the last decade, renewable energy sources are also experiencing a boom.
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China's fossil fuel consumption is rising
China is the largest consumer of primary energy in the world, using around 170.7 exajoules in 2023. This is significantly more than the second-highest consumer, the United States. China's population of 1.38 billion consumes about 31% of global fossil fuel consumption, or about 4.7 billion metric tons of fossil fuels per year. That’s about 3.4 metric tons per person per year.
China's fossil fuel consumption has been rising, and it has faced increasing international pressure to upgrade its climate ambitions since becoming the largest emitter in 2006 and the second-largest economy in 2009. In 2022, fossil fuels accounted for 83.4% of China's primary energy consumption. While the share of coal in the energy mix has decreased from 77% four decades ago to 56% today, coal consumption in China has grown by 650% over the same period.
However, China's consumption of fossil fuels is expected to peak in 2024 and then decline, as rapid drops in coal use will outweigh the ongoing growth of oil and gas. China has been investing heavily in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and is the world's largest producer of wind and solar technology. This dominance in clean-energy industries is expected to contribute to a decline in fossil fuel use globally.
China has also been taking steps to address its emissions and climate change. In 2015, China submitted its first "intended nationally determined contribution" (INDC), pledging to peak CO2 emissions around 2030 and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption. At the UN Climate Ambition Summit in 2020, Xi further stated that China would adopt more vigorous policies to lower CO2 intensity and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 25%. These targets were formalized in China's updated NDC submitted before the Glasgow COP26 climate talks in 2021.
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US crude oil imports come from Canada
In terms of fossil fuel consumption, China, the United States, and India are the top three countries, consuming 54% of the world's fossil fuels by weight. However, when looking at per capita consumption, the US is far from the top, with seven countries consuming 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person.
The US is a net exporter of petroleum, with exports of about 10.15 million barrels per day to 173 countries and 3 US territories in 2023. The top five source countries for US gross petroleum imports in 2023 were Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil. Canada provided 0.8 million barrels per day, or 8% of US petroleum imports.
Canada is a significant supplier of crude oil to the US, with imports from Canada accounting for a notable portion of US petroleum imports. While the US is a net exporter of petroleum overall, it still relies on imports from various countries, including Canada, to meet its energy demands.
The US-Canada energy relationship is crucial for both countries, as Canada is a reliable and stable supplier of energy resources to the US, and the US is a significant market for Canadian energy exports. This energy trade contributes significantly to the economic and political relationship between the two countries.
In addition to crude oil, the US also imports other petroleum products, natural gas, and biofuels from Canada. The integration of the North American energy market, including the US and Canada, has led to a complex and interdependent energy landscape in the region.
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Global fossil fuel consumption is increasing
The United States is the second-largest consumer of fossil fuels, with 76 exajoules consumed in 2023. However, when it comes to per capita consumption, the US is surpassed by several countries, including those that produce large quantities of fossil fuels, such as Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries consume 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person annually, with Equatorial Guinea leading at 18 metric tons per person per year.
India, the third-largest consumer of fossil fuels, consumed 35 exajoules in 2023. Together, China, the US, and India account for 54% of global fossil fuel consumption by weight. This significant consumption is due in part to their large populations, with China's population of 1.38 billion people contributing to 31% of global fossil fuel consumption.
While global fossil fuel consumption is increasing, it is worth noting that some countries are making strides towards renewable energy sources. For example, China has shifted its primary energy mix towards natural gas and renewables, with an eight-percentage-point increase in renewables since 2012. France has also achieved a 99% carbon-free electricity mix, relying on nuclear energy and renewable sources like wind and solar.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the largest consumer of primary energy in the world, with a consumption of 140 to 170.7 exajoules of fossil fuels in 2023.
The United States is the second-largest consumer of fossil fuels, with a consumption of 76 exajoules in 2023.
India is the third-largest consumer of fossil fuels, with a consumption of 35 exajoules in 2023.
While China, the US, and India consume more fossil fuels than the rest of the world combined, several countries have higher per capita consumption. These include Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Singapore, Qatar, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, which consume 10 or more tons of fossil fuels per person.
Gas, oil, and coal are the most consumed fossil fuels, accounting for 81.5% of the global energy mix in 2023. Crude oil consumption surpassed 100 million barrels per day, and coal demand exceeded the previous year's record.
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