Slowdown in energy consumption growth in 2019 (+0.6%), much below its historical trend

Global energy consumption growth slowed down in 2019 (+0.6%) compared to an average 2%/year over the 2000-2018 period, in a context of slower economic growth.
Energy consumption increased at a slower pace than in previous years in China (+3.2%), the world’s largest consumer since 2009, in Russia (+1.8%) and in India (+0.8% only). It declined in almost all OECD countries, including the USA (-1%), the EU (-1.9%), Japan (-1.6%), Canada and South Korea. Australia was the only exception, posting a 6.3% growth (caused by soaring gas consumption from LNG plants) well above the historical average. Consumption remained dynamic in Indonesia and Algeria, continued to increase in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and South Africa but declined in Latin America (stable in Brazil and slight decrease in Mexico). US sanctions contributed to reduce Venezuela’s and Iran’s consumption.