According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), total global energy consumption
reached around 604 exajoules (EJ) in 2022. Energy demand is heavily skewed toward
industrialized and rapidly developing economies. For instance:
• The United States, with less than 5% of the world’s population, consumes around 16%
of global energy.
• China, the world’s largest energy consumer, used nearly 150 EJ in 2022, about 25%
of the global total.
Economic growth, urbanization, population increases, and digital transformation are key
factors driving energy consumption. Emerging economies, particularly in Asia and Africa, are
experiencing rapid industrialization and urban expansion, further intensifying energy needs.