Coal and lignite domestic consumption

Global coal consumption remained stable in 2025, stagnating in China and eroding in India.

In 2025, global coal consumption remained exceptionally stable, as it stagnated in China (55% of the global consumption) and dipped by nearly 1% in India (16% of the consumption).
After a strong growth in 2024 due to higher electricity demand amid intense heatwaves, coal consumption in China and India stalled, slowed by a rising solar and wind power generation and by a lower demand from the cement and steel sectors in China.
As well, a lower demand from the power sector reduced coal consumption in many countries, such as Europe, Australia, Japan and South Korea (over higher renewable power generation), Mexico (competition from hydropower and gas), Canada (gas). It also dipped in Russia and remained stable in South Africa (rising nuclear and hydropower generation).
On the contrary, coal consumption rebounded strongly (+10%) in the USA after three years of decline, driven by higher electricity demand and amid coal-prone policies. It continued to increase in Indonesia for power generation and nickel refining and rebounded in Brazil over lower hydropower availability.