Global primary energy consumption 2018-2023, by fuel

Oil is the most consumed primary energy fuel in the world. In 2023, some 196.43 exajoules worth of oil were consumed. That year, the consumption of fossil fuels registered an increase compared to the previous year.Rising demand for fossil fuelsDemand for fossil fuels has remained high, as overall primary energy demand continues to increase. Excluding the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the use of oil has consistently grown each year. Consumption of other non-renewable fuel types has been more varied. Global natural gas consumption has risen more or less consistently. Its properties as a less carbon-intensive fossil fuel than coal have led to an increase in its use in the power sector, overtaking coal use in major economies such as the United States. Fossil fuels by regionThe U.S. is the leading natural gas consuming country in the world, as well as the largest producer of this fossil fuel and of crude oil. Russia, China, and the Middle Eastern region follow, as they have either the richest reserves of these raw materials or account for the largest refining capacity.

石油是全球消费量最大的初级能源燃料。至2023年，全球石油消费量约为196.43艾焦（exajoules）。当年，与上一年相比，化石燃料的消费量有所上升。化石燃料的需求持续保持高水平，而整体初级能源需求亦持续增长。除去新冠病毒大流行的影响，石油的使用量每年都在稳步增长。其他不可再生燃料类型的消费则更为多变。全球天然气消费量大致保持稳定增长。作为一种相较于煤炭而言碳排放较低的化石燃料，天然气在电力领域的使用量不断增加，在美国等主要经济体中甚至超过了煤炭的使用量。就地区而言，美国是全球最大的天然气消费国，同时也是该化石燃料以及原油的最大生产国。俄罗斯、中国以及中东地区紧随其后，它们要么拥有这些原材料最丰富的储备，要么具备最大的炼油能力。