UNITED NATIONS ISSUES 1995 ENERGY STATISTICS YEARBOOK

1 December 1997

Press Release
EN/241
STAT/437

UNITED NATIONS ISSUES 1995 ENERGY STATISTICS YEARBOOK

19971201 NEW YORK, 1 December (DESA) -- The thirty-ninth issue of the United Nations Energy Statistics Yearbook has been issued, prepared by the Statistics Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Yearbook covers the period 1992 through 1995 and provides statistics for more than 215 countries and areas in the world, including data on production, trade and consumption of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and electricity.

Among their many uses, statistics on energy commodities provide a solid foundation for making policies relating to energy, the environment and sustainable development. The Yearbook continues to serve as a comprehensive source of annual data on energy trends in the world.

The highlights of the Yearbook include statistics in such areas as:

Production: global production of commercial energy increased approximately 8 per cent from 1990, reaching 8.7 billion metric tons of oil equivalent in 1995; among primary energy sources, natural gas showed a marked increase of 17 per cent between 1990 and 1995; in 1995, the United States (21 per cent), Russian Federation (12 per cent) and China (10 per cent) continued to lead individual countries in global energy production; of the worldwide generation of 13,097 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 1995, 63 per cent was produced from fossil fuels, 19 per cent from hydropower and 17 per cent from nuclear power; and the United States, France and Japan together accounted for almost 60 per cent of global nuclear energy production in 1995.

Consumption: from 1990 to 1995 worldwide primary energy demand increased approximately 9 per cent, reaching over 8 billion metric tons of oil; world consumption of crude petroleum exceeded production by more than 40 million tons in 1995; among primary energy sources, consumption of natural gas showed the largest increase of 18 per cent between 1990 and 1995; and China's consumption of electricity increased more than 60 per cent from 1990, reaching 1,007 billion kilowatt hours in 1995.

Trade: Asia remained the world's largest regional exporter of crude petroleum in 1995 with 48 per cent of total global exports or 789 million metric tons, while Saudi Arabia was the leading country with 351 million

- 2 - Press Release EN/24 STAT/437 1 December 1997

metric tons; among regions, Europe was the largest importer of crude petroleum in 1995 with a 35 per cent share of worldwide imports; and in 1995, Australia was the leading exporter of coal with 136 million metric tons or 29 per cent of worldwide exports, while Japan was the leading importer with 122 million metric tons or 25 per cent of world imports.

The 1995 Energy Statistics Yearbook (Statistical Papers, Series J, No.39, Sales No. E/F.97.XVII.8) may be ordered in clothbound edition for $85 from the Sales Section of the United Nations in New York and Geneva, or from major book stores throughout the world. Data published in the Yearbook are available for dissemination on magnetic tape or diskettes. The energy database covers the period 1950 through 1995. Inquiries should be addressed to the United Nations Statistics Division, 2 United Nations Plaza, Room DC2-1420, New York, New York 10017, United States.

* *** *