2.1: Global Energy Consumption

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In 2015, the world used a total of 570.4 quadrillion BTUs. Table 2.1.1 shows the energy consumption in different parts of the world.

Table 2.1.1. World's total primary energy consumption (in quadrillion BTUs)

Region	1980	1985	1990	1995	2000	2005	2010	2015
North America	91.6	91.0	100	109	118	121	118	119.9
Central and South America	11.5	12.3	14.5	17.6	20.8	23.2	26.9	29.7
Europe	71.8	72.9	76.3	76.7	81.5	85.8	83.8	81.2
Eurasia	46.7	55.7	61.0	42.2	39.2	43	42.8	44.8
Africa	6.8	8.5	9.5	10.7	12.0	14.5	16.3	19.3
Asia and Oceania	48.9	58.1	73.4	93.5	111	149	194	239.9
World Total	283	307	346	363	400	459	511	570.4

From Table 2.1.1, it can be seen that the energy consumption is high for the Far East and Oceania. The amount of energy used depends on the economic prosperity of the nation and the population of the country. The North American region includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The Far East and Oceania include developed nations such as Japan and Australia, and densely populated developing nations such as China and India. Obviously, due to highly populated countries like China and India, total energy consumption does not reflect the quality of life of the people in those countries. Figure 2.1 shows the energy per capita consumption over the last 30 years. As can be seen from the graph that Far East and Oceania used a lot of energy as a region, but per capita energy consumption is relatively low implying that if each person in that region would consume as much as in North America, that Region's energy consumption would skyrocket.

The amount of energy consumed depends on numerous factors, including economic prosperity and population of the location. Table 2.1.1 shows that energy consumption is high in Asia and Oceania, since these areas include densely populated regions like China and India.

Figure 2.1.1 shows the energy consumption per capita.

Figure 2.1.1. Energy consumption per capita (MMBTU per person) in 1980 - 2010

Credit: Sarma Pisupati

Although Table 2.1.1 shows high energy consumption in Asia and Oceania, Figure 2.1.1 shows low energy consumption per capita in Asia and Oceania, implying that if each person in those regions consumed as much energy as in places like North America with high energy per capita, the overall energy consumption (i.e., values in Table 2.1.1) of Asia and Oceania would drastically increase. This difference also implies that overall energy consumption is not an indicator of quality of life.

The productivity of a country is measured by the total value (in dollars) of goods and services, called Gross Domestic Product (GDP), produced by its people. Thus, the average value of goods and services produced by each person, i.e., the GDP per capita of a country, is an indicator of quality of life.

Energy intensity is the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth and is an important factor that affects energy consumption over time. In industrialized countries, history has shown that the link between energy consumption and economic growth to be relatively weak, as growth in energy demand lags behind economic growth. In contrast, in developing countries, this link has been strong, as energy demand has grown parallel to economic growth. Figures 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 show the correlations.

Figure 2.1.2. Energy consumption as a function of quality of life in industrialized countries. Energy demand is constantly lower than economic growth.

Credit: Sarma Pisupati

Figure 2.1.3. Energy consumption as a function of quality of life in developing countries. Energy demand is relatively close in value to economic growth.

Global Energy Consumption and GDP per person

In general, as the GDP per person (i.e., per capita) of a country increases, the energy consumption is also expected to increase. This correlation is much stronger in developing nations compared to developed ones. Figure 2.1.4 shows this correlation.

Figure 2.1.4. Energy consumption as a function of quality of life in developing and developed nations

As shown in Figure 2.1.4, Iceland, Finland, the U.S., and the Netherlands, all with similar GDP per capita, have significant differences in energy consumption per capita. To produce one dollar's worth of goods and services, the U.S. consumes twice the amount of energy as that of the Netherlands, while Iceland consumes four times the energy as that of the Netherlands.