Energy intensity of the economy in South Africa
South Africa: Energy intensity of the economy was 2.27 kWh per 2011$PPP in 2016. ▬ Flat
Latest (2016)
2.27 kWh per 2011$PPP
Change on year
up 4.8%
World rank
17th
of 161 countries
All-time high
3.49 kWh per 2011$PPP
in 1988
All-time low
2.17 kWh per 2011$PPP
in 2015
Years of data
52
1965–2016
Energy intensity of the economy in South Africa, 1965–2016
Source: Our World in Data based on BP; World Bank; and Maddison Project Database. Measured in kWh per 2011$PPP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for energy intensity of the economy in South Africa is 2.27 kWh per 2011$PPP, measured in 2016.
That represents a change of up 4.8% on the previous year and down 9.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, energy intensity of the economy in South Africa peaked at 3.49 kWh per 2011$PPP in 1988 and was at its lowest, 2.17 kWh per 2011$PPP, in 2015.
South Africa ranks 17th of 161 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Energy intensity of the economy in South Africa, year by year
| Year | kWh per 2011$PPP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 2.64 kWh per 2011$PPP | — |
| 1966 | 2.53 kWh per 2011$PPP | -4.4% |
| 1967 | 2.46 kWh per 2011$PPP | -2.8% |
| 1968 | 2.51 kWh per 2011$PPP | +2.2% |
| 1969 | 2.37 kWh per 2011$PPP | -5.5% |
| 1970 | 2.34 kWh per 2011$PPP | -1.3% |
| 1971 | 2.47 kWh per 2011$PPP | +5.3% |
| 1972 | 2.47 kWh per 2011$PPP | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 2.39 kWh per 2011$PPP | -3.1% |
| 1974 | 2.31 kWh per 2011$PPP | -3.6% |
| 1975 | 2.52 kWh per 2011$PPP | +9.1% |
| 1976 | 2.61 kWh per 2011$PPP | +3.9% |
| 1977 | 2.74 kWh per 2011$PPP | +4.8% |
| 1978 | 2.63 kWh per 2011$PPP | -4.1% |
| 1979 | 2.6 kWh per 2011$PPP | -1.1% |
| 1980 | 2.49 kWh per 2011$PPP | -4.0% |
| 1981 | 2.75 kWh per 2011$PPP | +10.4% |
| 1982 | 2.94 kWh per 2011$PPP | +6.8% |
| 1983 | 2.98 kWh per 2011$PPP | +1.3% |
| 1984 | 3.14 kWh per 2011$PPP | +5.4% |
| 1985 | 3.3 kWh per 2011$PPP | +5.1% |
| 1986 | 3.42 kWh per 2011$PPP | +3.7% |
| 1987 | 3.28 kWh per 2011$PPP | -4.0% |
| 1988 | 3.49 kWh per 2011$PPP | +6.4% |
| 1989 | 3.3 kWh per 2011$PPP | -5.4% |
| 1990 | 3.4 kWh per 2011$PPP | +2.8% |
| 1991 | 3.42 kWh per 2011$PPP | +0.6% |
| 1992 | 3.42 kWh per 2011$PPP | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 3.37 kWh per 2011$PPP | -1.5% |
| 1994 | 3.44 kWh per 2011$PPP | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 3.42 kWh per 2011$PPP | -0.6% |
| 1996 | 3.34 kWh per 2011$PPP | -2.2% |
| 1997 | 3.32 kWh per 2011$PPP | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 3.21 kWh per 2011$PPP | -3.1% |
| 1999 | 3.28 kWh per 2011$PPP | +2.0% |
| 2000 | 3.11 kWh per 2011$PPP | -5.1% |
| 2001 | 3.02 kWh per 2011$PPP | -2.8% |
| 2002 | 2.75 kWh per 2011$PPP | -8.8% |
| 2003 | 2.91 kWh per 2011$PPP | +5.6% |
| 2004 | 3.01 kWh per 2011$PPP | +3.4% |
| 2005 | 2.64 kWh per 2011$PPP | -12.2% |
| 2006 | 2.5 kWh per 2011$PPP | -5.2% |
| 2007 | 2.43 kWh per 2011$PPP | -3.0% |
| 2008 | 2.55 kWh per 2011$PPP | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 2.61 kWh per 2011$PPP | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 2.55 kWh per 2011$PPP | -2.5% |
| 2011 | 2.38 kWh per 2011$PPP | -6.6% |
| 2012 | 2.32 kWh per 2011$PPP | -2.6% |
| 2013 | 2.28 kWh per 2011$PPP | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 2.27 kWh per 2011$PPP | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 2.17 kWh per 2011$PPP | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 2.27 kWh per 2011$PPP | +4.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.5 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.37 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.64 kWh per 2011$PPP | 5 |
| 1970s | 2.51 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.31 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.74 kWh per 2011$PPP | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.11 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.49 kWh per 2011$PPP | 3.49 kWh per 2011$PPP | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.36 kWh per 2011$PPP | 3.21 kWh per 2011$PPP | 3.44 kWh per 2011$PPP | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.75 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.43 kWh per 2011$PPP | 3.11 kWh per 2011$PPP | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.32 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.17 kWh per 2011$PPP | 2.55 kWh per 2011$PPP | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 14 Iran, Islamic Republic of 2.4 kWh per 2011$PPP compare
- 15 Tajikistan 2.33 kWh per 2011$PPP compare
- 16 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 2.31 kWh per 2011$PPP compare
- 18 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 2.1 kWh per 2011$PPP compare
- 19 Estonia 2.09 kWh per 2011$PPP compare
- 20 China 2.09 kWh per 2011$PPP compare
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is energy intensity of the economy in South Africa?
- Energy intensity of the economy in South Africa was 2.27 kWh per 2011$PPP in 2016, according to Our World in Data based on BP; World Bank; and Maddison Project Database.
- What is the highest energy intensity of the economy recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.49 kWh per 2011$PPP in 1988.
- What is the lowest energy intensity of the economy recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.17 kWh per 2011$PPP in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for energy intensity of the economy?
- South Africa ranks 17th out of 161 countries with data for 2016.
- Is energy intensity of the economy rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data based on BP; World Bank; and Maddison Project Database, published as part of Energy intensity of the economy (kWh per 2011$PPP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Energy intensity is measured as primary energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product. This is measured in kilowatt-hours per 2011$ (PPP).