Frequently Asked Questions

How much energy is consumed in the world by each sector?

World marketed energy consumption was about 505 quadrillion Btu in 2008.¹ There are four major energy end-use sectors: commercial, industrial, residential, and transportation. The electric power sector also consumes energy. The electricity it produces is consumed by the end-use sectors. There are also losses in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The electricity consumed by the four major energy end-use sectors and electricity losses can be apportioned to these respective end-use sectors to calculate their total energy use. Losses are the difference between the amount of energy used to generate electricity and the energy content of the electricity consumed at the point of end use.

World energy consumption by end use sector (quadrillion Btu) and shares of total energy use, 2008 (includes losses in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution):

	Energy End-Use²	Electricity Losses³	Total Energy Use⁴	Share of Total Energy Use
End-Use Sectors
Commercial	28	32	60	12%
Industrial	191	64	255	51%
Residential	52	37	89	18%
Transportation	98	2	100	20%
Total End-Use Sectors	369

Electric Power Sector⁴	194			39%
Total Electricity losses³	135
Total Energy Use	505

¹This is the most recent year for which data are available at the time of update.
²Energy end-use includes end-use of electricity but excludes losses.
³Electricity losses includes generation, transmission, and distribution losses.
⁴Total energy use includes electricity losses.

Learn more:
International Energy Outlook 2011
International Energy Outlook (Appendix D1)

Created: January 30, 2013