Three facts that show how solar and wind strengthen energy security

Fact 1: 74% of the global population lives in countries that are net importers of fossil fuels

According to the new calculations made using IEA Energy Balances Data for 2022, Ember estimates that 74% of the world’s population lives in countries that are dependent on fossil fuels from other countries. 

This is slightly less than previous historic research from 2018, when it was reported that 80% of the global population lived in countries that were net fossil fuel importers. The shift is largely due to the US, which had long been a net importer but became a net exporter in 2019. Today, the US not only exports fossil fuels, but also aims to expand its exports in the coming years. Just 12 countries supply 80% of net fossil fuel exports.

Many countries rely on fossil fuel imports for the vast majority of their overall energy needs, including Japan (87%), Korea (81%), Türkiye (69%) and Germany (67%). In comparison, China has kept its import reliance relatively low to 21% of its energy needs by relying on domestic coal and clean electricity – and simultaneously electrifying its economy – to avoid increasing its import dependency on oil and gas.