Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Energy Use per Capita
Energy use per capita EG.USE.PCAP.KG.OE
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's energy use per capita was 558 in 2025, ranked 114th globally. This represents a 12.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's energy use per capita stood at 558 in 2025, a decline of +82 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 558 by 2025. Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of ranked 114th globally.
North Korea’s energy use per capita has fallen sharply from its all‑time peak of 1,573.60 kilowatt‑hours in 1990 to a trough of 372.80 in 2015, before rising modestly to 558.04 in 2025, placing the country 114th globally. The decline reflects prolonged economic isolation, limited industrial output and chronic electricity shortages that intensified after the early 1990s famine. The modest rebound since 2015 coincides with limited policy moves to rehabilitate aging power infrastructure and modest increases in coal‑based generation, yet consumption remains well below that of peers such as Cambodia (556.56) and the Kyrgyz Republic (554.93). The 34‑year series underscores how macro‑economic constraints dominate energy intensity in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Continued investment in grid modernization and diversification of fuel sources would be required to sustain any upward trajectory and narrow the gap with regional counterparts.
Data & projection
| Year | Energy Use per Capita | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 558 | - | - |
| 2025 | 558 | −82 | #114 |
| 2022 | 641 | +21 | #39 |
| 2021 | 619 | −108 | #39 |
| 2020 | 727 | −37 | #45 |
| 2019 | 764 | +63 | #43 |
| 2018 | 701 | −68 | #40 |
| 2017 | 769 | +359 | #46 |
| 2016 | 409 | +37 | #21 |
| 2015 | 373 | −98 | #16 |
| 2014 | 471 | +31 | #31 |
| 2013 | 440 | −110 | #25 |
| 2012 | 550 | −13 | #35 |
| 2011 | 563 | −189 | #37 |
| 2010 | 752 | −26 | #49 |
| 2009 | 778 | −36 | #50 |
Analysis
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's energy use per capita was 558 in 2025, a decline of −82 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 558 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's energy use per capita was 558 in 2025. Ranked 114th globally. This represents a 12.9% decrease from the previous year.
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's energy use per capita peaked at 1,574 in 1990.
The lowest energy use per capita in Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of was 373 in 2015.
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of ranks 114th globally in energy use per capita as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is EG.USE.PCAP.KG.OE. Data sourced from World Bank.
Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of's energy use per capita is projected to reach 558 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The energy use per capita of Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of in 2025 was 558. This ranks 114th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of_energy-per-capita,
title = {Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Energy Use per Capita},
url = {https://historysaid.com/korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of/energy-per-capita/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}