Global Demand for Energy
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 6.4.1
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.
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.
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.
Energy consumption in low-income countries
- People in low-income countries may not have any electricity in their homes.
Test yourself on Global Demand for Energy
Which of the following countries produces a lot of energy?
How much electricity do high income countries consume?