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Which countries would not have appeared in this top ten until recently and why?

The energy gap

There is a marked energy gap between the world’s developed and developing countries.

Developed countries consume around 75% of the three fossil fuels. Oil especially provides the basis for modern life – 90% of transport relies on it, and the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries also rely on it.

1. USA

5. Japan

2. China 3. Russia 4. India

6. Germany 7. France 8. Canada

9. UK 10. South Korea

What are the top ten energy consuming countries?

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This rapid industrialization and development has led to massive increases in the demand for energy, e.g. China’s demand for oil is increasing at 20% per year.

The BRIC economies

The BRIC economies are Brazil, Russia, India and China. They have rapidly growing economies and are playing an increasingly important role in world trade and politics. China is fast becoming the world’s biggest economic superpower. By 2050 the combined economies of the BRICs could eclipse the combined economies of the current richest countries in the world (USA, Japan, Germany, UK, Italy and France).

How does energy affect development?

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Energy mix

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India’s energy mix

India’s energy mix reflects the dual nature of its economy.

However, 61% of its total energy consumption occurs in rural areas and is largely reliant on biomass resources of wood, crop residues and dung.

It is a rapidly industrializing economy, with coal as the driving force for economic growth, due to massive national reserves. It is the world’s 3rd biggest consumer of coal and has the 4th largest reserve. Domestic oil reserves are small and only account for one third of demand – the remainder is imported from the Middle East and Africa.

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Sweden’s energy mix

Sweden is one of the world’s most developed countries, its HDI ranks it 7th out of 179 countries. This level of development means it has a high energy dependence.

Rivers with large discharges, natural lakes, and waterfalls, all make Sweden an ideal place to produce HEP and it provides 48% of the country’s electricity. Ten nuclear reactors supply the rest of the country’s electricity.

Due to very limited indigenous fossil fuel resources, coupled with a desire to be energy secure, Sweden has developed hydroelectric power and nuclear power as its main resources.

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