In 2022, the world’s coal consumption rose by 6.3%, driven up by an economic recovery in coal-reliant emerging countries and fuel switching to coal for power generation in a context of high natural gas prices.

Coal consumption expanded strongly in Asia (+8.9%), due to the economic upturn and high gas prices, with +8.8% in China, +8.3% in India and +52% in Indonesia. Growth in coal consumption was slower in Europe (+2.3%), with +3.5% in Germany, +3.2% in Türkiye and +48% in Italy. In other parts of the word, coal consumption declined, with -6.6% in America, including -5.1% in the United States, -0.4% in CIS and -6% in Africa (5.8% drop in South Africa). Three quarters of the world’s coal and lignite consumption in 2022 took place in Asia, of which China (54%) and India (14%), followed by Europe (8%) and the United States (6%).