iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In 2025, China consumed 30% more coal than the rest of the world combined, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). That comparison is for total coal demand—not just coal burned to generate electricity—and the IEA says China’s overall demand was almost unchanged from 2024, rising 0.1%.
How much coal does China consume compared with the rest of the world?
The IEA’s Global Energy Review 2026 says China consumed 30% more coal in 2025 than all other countries combined. The comparison uses coal demand, or consumption, for the same year. It is not a comparison of how much coal China mines or imports, and it does not refer only to coal-fired power.
The IEA’s 2026 review reports that Chinese coal demand increased 0.1% in 2025 compared with 2024. That near-flat result is the later retrospective estimate; an earlier IEA forecast projected a decline, as explained below.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What does the comparison include?
Total coal consumption includes coal used across the economy, including in industry as well as in power plants. The distinction matters because electricity-generation figures tell only part of the story: coal use for steel, cement, chemicals and other industrial production also contributes to demand.
#1 Best Overall
- Early 1950's style loader
- Typical of facilities in all parts of the country
- Includes main building, truck loading facility and conveyors
- Separate windows and door
- Illustrated instructions
The IEA says coal-fired power accounts for two-thirds of coal consumption globally. China’s power sector alone accounts for one-third of global coal consumption, according to the IEA’s Coal Mid-Year Update 2025. These are power-sector shares, not the same measure as China’s 30%-greater-than-the-rest comparison for total 2025 demand.
How coal demand changed from 2024 to 2025
The IEA’s mid-year 2025 update reported preliminary global coal demand of 8.79 billion tonnes for 2024, up 1.5% from 2023. China recorded the largest absolute increase that year, adding 82 million tonnes to its coal demand.
Rank #2
- Realistic decals
- Great for steam or Diesel-Era layouts
- Parts molded in appropriate base colors
- These are hobby grade products securely packed for protection in shipping
- Please handle with care when removing from package or breakage could occur
For 2025, the later IEA review describes China’s total coal demand as nearly flat, up 0.1% year on year. The mid-year 2025 update had instead projected a 0.5% decline for China that year. These figures are not contradictory measurements from the same forecast: one was a projection made during 2025, while the other is the IEA’s later retrospective estimate.
Recommended Free Tools
Why did Chinese coal-fired generation fall while total demand stayed nearly flat?
China’s coal-fired electricity generation fell by around 1.5% in 2025 even as electricity demand grew. Increased output from solar, wind, hydro and nuclear power helped meet that demand and reduced coal use in the power sector.
Rank #3
- PREMIUM GEOLOGICAL COLLECTION: Discover and curate museum-quality, authentic earth specimens with this sophisticated mineralogy set designed exclusively for adult collectors and geology hobbyists.
- EXPERT-LEVEL SPECIMEN VARIETY: Features an advanced assortment of premium minerals, a meticulously selected fossil variety, and genuine shark teeth specimens alongside a substantial, raw Amethyst druzy centerpiece perfect for display or study.
- PROFESSIONAL ROCKHOUNDING TOOLS: Equipped with heavy-duty, professional-grade exploration equipment, including our signature 10.5-inch precision sand sifter, ensuring a true hands-on field experience for serious hobbists.
- SOPHISTICATED DESIGN & DISPLAY: Perfectly suited for adult mineral identification, advanced lapidary study, or as an elegant natural home and office decor display for passionate earth science enthusiasts.
- COMPLETE EXPLORATION SETUP: Includes a generous 10+ oz premium gemstone mix, 4 oz authentic fossil mix, 15–20 real shark teeth, hand-carved arrowheads, specimen collection bags, and detailed technical documentation for specimen authentication.
That power-sector decline did not translate into a comparable drop in total coal demand. Lower coal use for electricity, alongside reduced steel and cement activity, was partly offset by rising coal demand for chemical and plastic production. The different trends reflect different measures: generation concerns electricity, while total demand also includes coal consumed by industry.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ladegüter Gauge H0
Rank #4
- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up.
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Tweezers are the recommended tool for bending and twisting the connection tabs.
- PREMIUM SERIES PANZER IV TANK - 3 Sheet Model with a challenging difficulty level. Once assembled, dimensions are 5.51 L x 2.52 W x 2.36 H inches. 1:50 Scale.
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed - collect and build them all.
How to read coal figures from different years and reports
- Keep the measure consistent. Use “coal demand” or “coal consumption” for the 2025 China-versus-rest comparison; do not substitute production, imports or coal-fired electricity generation.
- Keep the year attached. The 30% comparison is for 2025. The 8.79-billion-tonne global total and China’s 82-million-tonne increase refer to 2024, with the IEA marking those 2024 figures preliminary in its mid-year update.
- Separate forecasts from later estimates. The IEA’s mid-year 2025 projection for Chinese demand was a 0.5% fall; its 2026 review later reported a 0.1% increase for 2025 compared with 2024.
- Do not infer absolute tonnages from the ratio. The reviewed IEA comparison does not provide paired 2025 tonnages for China and the rest of the world on a directly stated common basis. An earlier IEA report context gives a 2025 China figure of 4,953 Mt, but it belongs to an older data vintage and should not be combined with the later growth figure as if both came from a finalized dataset.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
