6.4.1

Global Demand for Energy

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How is Global Energy Production & Consumption Distributed?

An area that produces more energy than its population needs has an energy surplus. Countries with an energy surplus have energy security. If an area cannot produce enough electricity to match the population's demand then it has an energy deficit and energy insecurity.

Illustrative background for How is global energy production distributed?Illustrative background for How is global energy production distributed? ?? "content

How is global energy production distributed?

  • Electricity produced is measured in Gigawatt hours (GWh).
  • In 2017, China produced the most electricity in the world (7.1 million GWh). The USA came 2nd, with 4.45 million GWh.
  • In 2019, Saudi Arabia produced 15% of the world's oil.
  • In 2019, Russia produced 13% of the world's oil. Russia also has very large natural gas reserves.
  • In 2014, Lebanon and Singapore had to import 98% of the energy that they used. Japan imports 94% of its energy and Ireland imports 84% of its energy.
  • Sudan, Ethiopia, and the DRC consume the least amounts of energy per capita of any country in the world.
Illustrative background for How is global energy consumption distributed?Illustrative background for How is global energy consumption distributed? ?? "content

How is global energy consumption distributed?

  • Countries that have higher incomes tend to consume the most energy (USA consumes 17% of the world's energy despite having only 5% of the world's population). Citizens in high-income countries usually have cars, heated homes, and lots of electric devices.
  • Countries that have rich energy reserves tend to consume lots of energy relative to their size. Iceland, Norway, Bahrain, and Qatar consume the most energy per capita. All have oil, natural gas, or thermal energy resources.
  • Countries with large populations consume more energy. In 2019, China had a population of 1.34 billion people and consumed 24% of the world's energy.
Illustrative background for Energy consumption in low-income countriesIllustrative background for Energy consumption in low-income countries ?? "content

Energy consumption in low-income countries

  • People in low-income countries may not have any electricity in their homes.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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