Overview
- Global coal consumption is estimated at about 8.85 billion tonnes in 2025, up roughly 0.5% to a new high, the IEA reports.
- Much of the increase comes from the United States, where higher gas prices and policies slowing coal-plant retirements pushed coal use up around 8%.
- The European Union’s decline slowed sharply to about 3% year over year after weak wind and hydropower output in the first half of 2025 led to greater coal burn.
- China’s use held broadly steady versus 2024 and accounted for roughly 56% of global demand, with a slight decline by 2030 expected under rapid renewables growth.
- Two-thirds of coal is burned for electricity, and the IEA projects power-sector demand will begin to decline from 2026 as renewables scale, nuclear expands and LNG supply increases.