Our World in Data, a website specialized in publishing research and statistics, revealed that Iraqi per capita energy consumption exceeded 15,000 kilowatt-hours in 2023, registering a significant increase compared to the previous year.
The data showed that the rate reached 15,333 kilowatt-hours per capita in Iraq during 2023, including all areas of energy use, including electricity, transportation, heating and cooking, compared to 14,392 kilowatt-hours in 2022, reflecting a significant increase in energy consumption.
At the level of Arab countries, Qatar topped the list of the highest per capita energy consumption, with a per capita consumption of 226,848 kilowatt-hours, followed by the UAE with 149,830 kilowatt-hours, and Kuwait with 101,648 kilowatt-hours.
These figures reflect the large differences between Arab countries in the level of energy consumption and raise questions about energy efficiency and resource utilization in the region, especially in light of growing environmental and economic challenges.
The rise in energy consumption in Iraq and a number of Arab countries is linked to several factors, including population growth, urbanization, and increased use of electrical appliances and transportation. This increase puts great pressure on the energy infrastructure and increases import and generation costs, in light of the challenges of renewable energy production and insufficient investment in energy efficiency.
On the environmental side, rising consumption increases carbon emissions, posing a threat to the environment and requiring greater efforts towards adopting sustainable energy policies. Economically, rising energy demand may lead to an increase in the government's subsidy bill, affecting countries' budgets and limiting their ability to invest in other areas.
There remains an urgent need to develop national and regional strategies to modernize energy grids, promote clean energy sources, and improve consumption efficiency to reduce waste and secure a sustainable energy future.
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