In 2023, global coal consumption exceeded 164 EJ for the first time in history. While China is by far the largest coal consumer (56% of global consumption), in 2023 India exceeded the combined consumption of Europe and North America for the first time in history.
These data were published in the report "Statistical Review of World Energy 2024" by the Energy Institute.
Consumption growth of 1.6% compared to 2022 was 7 times higher than the average growth rate over the previous 10 years.
Source: energyinst.org
Coal consumption in both Europe and North America showed the opposite trend, falling below 10 EJ, the lowest level since 1965.
In 2023, global coal production also reached an all-time high of 179 EJ. This indicator broke the previous record set a year earlier. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for almost 80% of global production, with activity concentrated in only 4 countries – Australia, China, India and Indonesia. Together, they are responsible for 97% of the production in the region. China alone accounts for slightly more than half of world production.
In North America, South and Central America, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), coal production declined compared to 2022 levels.
In May, EcoPolitic reported that the world continues to grow demand for fossil fuels.
