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Visualized: Global Coal Consumption by Region

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The following content is sponsored by Range ETFs

World Coal Consumption by Region in 2023

Despite many nations transitioning away from fossil fuels, in 2023, world coal consumption reached a staggering 164 exajoules (EJ) of energy, a record high for any year.

For this graphic, Visual Capitalist has partnered with Range ETFs to explore the role coal plays in the global energy mix and determine which regions still consume large quantities of coal.

The Role of Coal in Global Energy

Coal is a significant player in the global energy mix, contributing 26% of the world’s energy in 2023, more than all non-fossil fuel sources combined. The only energy source that contributed more to the global energy mix was oil.

Here’s how that consumption breaks down by region:

RegionConsumption (EJ)Share %
China91.956.1%
Asia Pacific (excluding China)43.826.7%
Americas10.06.1%
Europe8.45.1%
CIS*5.53.4%
Africa4.12.5%
Middle East0.40.2%
Total164.0100%

Coal consumption has decreased in many regions. For example, both North America and Europe reduced their energy consumption from coal by 16% in 2023. However, a heavy reliance on coal in the Asia Pacific region has led to global coal consumption remaining essentially the same over the past 10 years.

In 2023, China increased its coal consumption from 88 EJ to nearly 92 EJ—totalling 56% of global coal consumption. This contributed significantly to Asia Pacific leading the world with a staggering 83% of global coal consumption.

The Importance of Coal

Easy access to existing infrastructure and reasonable prices have not only sustained global coal consumption over the last 10 years, but also paved the way for potential growth. Many developing nations are now expanding their coal consumption, presenting potential opportunities in the coal market.

For example, as per the Statistical Review of World Energy 2024, between 2022 and 2023, Bangladesh and Colombia saw double-digit percentage increases in year-over-year coal consumption: 41% and 53%, respectively.

Coal continues to play a critical role in the global energy mix, especially in the developing world, where its affordability makes it the current energy source of choice.

Learn more about the Range Global Coal Index ETF (COAL)

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Energy Shift

Where the U.S. Gets Its Enriched Uranium

Russia controls nearly half of global uranium enrichment capacity.

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This graphic illustrates the top country sources of enriched uranium for U.S. civilian nuclear power reactors in 2023.

Where the U.S. Gets Its Enriched Uranium

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

Nuclear power accounts for 19% of electricity generation in the U.S.

This graphic illustrates the top sources of enriched uranium for U.S. civilian nuclear power reactors in 2023, based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The calculation is based in Separative Work Unit (SWU), a unit that defines the effort required in the uranium enrichment process.

U.S. Suppliers of Enriched Uranium

Uranium production in the United States peaked in 1980, while purchases of uranium by U.S. nuclear power plant operators from domestic suppliers peaked in 1981. Since 1992, the majority of uranium purchased by U.S. nuclear power plant operators has been imported.

Currently, the U.S. relies on foreign sources for 71.7% of its enriched uranium, despite possessing domestic resources.

Russia supplies 27.2% of enrichment services, making it the largest single foreign provider for U.S. civilian nuclear power reactors. After Russia, 12% of enriched uranium comes from France, 8% from the Netherlands, and 7% from the United Kingdom.

CountryThousand separative work units (SWU)Share (%)
🇺🇸 United States4,31328%
🇷🇺 Russia4,14127%
🇫🇷 France1,83912%
🇳🇱 Netherlands1,2178%
🇬🇧 United Kingdom1,0217%
🇩🇪 Germany8556%
🌐 Other1,85312%
Foreign total10,92672%
Total15,240100%

Russia Temporarily Limits Exports

In November 2024, Russia temporarily restricted enriched uranium exports to the U.S., raising concerns about potential supply risks for utilities operating American reactors. These restrictions were in response to Washington’s recent ban on imports of Russian uranium, which was signed into law earlier this year.

In addition to the U.S., Russia is a major exporter of enriched uranium to countries including China, South Korea, and France.

Learn More on the Voronoi App

If you enjoyed this topic, check out this graphic showing oil and gas leases on public lands under Obama, Trump, and Biden.

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Energy Shift

Oil & Gas Leases on Public Lands Under Obama, Trump, and Biden

President-elect Donald Trump wants a massive boost in U.S. oil production to reduce energy costs.

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This graphic shows the number of acres leased on public lands to oil and gas companies under Obama, Trump and Biden.

Oil & Gas Leases on Public Lands Under Obama, Trump, and Biden

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

President-elect Donald Trump wants a massive boost in U.S. oil production to reduce energy costs. The data shows that over the last decade, the Republican’s previous administration has been by far the most favorable for the oil and gas industry.

This graphic shows the number of acres leased on public lands to oil and gas companies during the fiscal years 2013–2023. The data is sourced from the Bureau of Land Management as of October 2023.

Drill, Baby, Drill

The amount of public land leased to the oil and gas sector has varied significantly by administration.

In Trump’s first year in office, there was a 93% increase in leases compared to the final year of the Obama administration.

YearAcres LeasedAdministration
20131,172,808Obama
20141,197,852Obama
2015810,068Obama
2016577,317Obama
20171,114,218Trump
20181,253,369Trump
20192,245,906Trump
20201,871,962Trump
2021249,132Biden
202274,758Biden
202391,712Biden

Then, following a series of executive actions aimed at reducing GHG emissions from federal lands, leases dropped sharply during the Biden administration. In 2021, the Democrat temporarily paused new oil and gas leases on federal lands.

Since Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, Biden has moved to further limit oil drilling.

The federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently finalized the restrictions on an oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, the largest wildlife refuge in the country. In its decision, the BLM limited the lease sales to 400,000 acres, which is one-quarter of the refuge’s coastal plain section.

Environmental groups have opposed oil development in the refuge for decades, while Trump has said his new administration would pursue oil drilling in the area.

Learn More on the Voronoi App 

If you enjoyed this topic, check out this graphic showing how much Americans spend on gas in each state.

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