China now uses more electricity per person than the EU
Electricity demand per person in major economies, MWh, 2025.
The average person in China used about a fifth more electricity than the average EU resident in 2025.
China's demand per person rose from 7.1 MWh in 2024 to 7.5 MWh in 2025.
China's demand per person was nearly double the world average of 3.9 MWh in 2025.
the numbers
| Electricity demand per person (MWh) | |
|---|---|
| Canada | 16.1 |
| United States | 13.1 |
| Japan | 8.4 |
| Russia | 8.2 |
| China | 7.5 |
| European Union | 6.2 |
| World average | 3.9 |
| Brazil | 3.6 |
| India | 1.4 |
source notes & method
All values are Ember's stated per-capita electricity demand for 2025. Ember's EU section gives 6.2 MWh; its Russia section cites a 'European average' of 6.1 MWh. Ember's previous edition (GER 2025) says China passed Germany per person in 2023 and France in 2024. 'About a fifth more' is derived (7.5/6.2 = 1.21). 1.9× is derived (7.5/3.9 = 1.92).
Published 3 Nov 2026
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