A 2% fall in world energy intensity in 2016 was driven by China and the USA

Total energy consumption per unit of GDP (energy intensity) dropped by 2% in 2016, slightly above its historical trends (-1.6%/year, on average, between 2000 and 2016).
Energy intensity levels and trends differ widely across world regions, reflecting differences in economic structure and energy efficiency achievements.
The reduction in the European Union, the region with the lowest energy intensity in the world, followed its historical trend, led by noticeable improvements in the United Kingdom and France.
Asia recorded the largest decrease in regional energy intensity in 2016 mainly due to the reduction of coal use in China.
North America, the world’s second largest energy consuming region, made modest improvements.
The CIS countries remain the region with the highest energy intensity, at a level close to three times higher than that of the European Union.
The high energy intensity in the CIS, the Middle East, China and other Asian developing countries is mainly explained by the predominance of energy-intensive industries, primary commodity exporting-based economies and low energy prices which do not encourage energy efficiency.