GITNUXREPORT 2025

Coal Industry Statistics

Global coal industry fuels 27% of worldwide electricity, faces decline amid environmental concerns.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The coal industry employed approximately 41,000 workers in the United States as of 2022

Statistic 2

Coal mining contributes significantly to local economies in regions such as Appalachia, with coal towns depending on mining for employment

Statistic 3

Coal mining is a major source of employment in countries such as Australia and the US, providing over 150,000 jobs combined

Statistic 4

The rapid decline of coal jobs in certain regions has led to socio-economic challenges, prompting policies to retrain workers for renewable energies

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The global coal industry accounted for approximately 27% of the world's electricity generation in 2022

Statistic 6

Global coal consumption increased by 1.3% in 2022, driven mainly by increases in Asia

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Approximately 70% of coal mined in the United States is used for electricity generation

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The world’s total coal reserves are estimated at 1.1 trillion tonnes, sufficient for approximately 132 years at current consumption rates

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India added roughly 13 GW of new coal-fired capacity in 2022, making it the largest new capacity added

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The average age of coal-fired power plants in the United States is about 39 years, indicating an aging infrastructure that may need replacement or upgrade

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Asia accounts for approximately 85% of global coal consumption, driven by rapid industrialization

Statistic 12

The use of coal in electricity generation has declined in the United States from over 50% in the early 2000s to around 22% in 2022

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The number of operational coal power plants in the world was estimated at around 2,100 in 2022, with China, India, and the US leading

Statistic 14

The cost of building a new coal-fired power plant is estimated at around $1.5 billion to $3 billion, depending on capacity and location

Statistic 15

The global share of electricity generated from coal is projected to decline slightly to around 26% by 2030 due to renewables, according to IEA forecasts

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The decline in coal use in Europe was roughly 8% in 2022, as many countries shift toward renewable energy sources

Statistic 17

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for new coal plants varies widely but averages around $60-$100 per MWh globally in 2022, making renewables increasingly competitive

Statistic 18

The utilization rate of existing coal power plants in the US was approximately 53% in 2022, indicating underutilization

Statistic 19

Only about 60% of the coal produced globally is directly used for electricity generation, with the remainder used in steelmaking, cement manufacturing, and other industries

Statistic 20

China’s coal imports are expected to rise modestly in 2023 to meet increasing demand, despite efforts to boost domestic production

Statistic 21

The majority of coal-fired power plants globally are over 30 years old, highlighting the need for modernization or replacement

Statistic 22

The operating cost of a typical coal plant ranges from $20 to $40 per MWh, varying with location and technology, affecting profitability

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Coal-fired power plants are responsible for roughly 30% of global carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation

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The European Union has committed to phasing out unabated coal power by 2030, as part of its climate goals

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The global retirements of coal-fired power plants reached approximately 180 GW in 2022, aiming to reduce emissions

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The carbon footprint of coal power plants is approximately 3.5 to 4.0 pounds of CO2 per kWh generated, depending on technology and efficiency

Statistic 27

The environmental impact of coal mining includes land degradation and water pollution, affecting over 10 million people worldwide

Statistic 28

The average coal mine yields about 8-20 grams of methane per tonne of coal mined, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions

Statistic 29

The coal industry accounted for about 40% of global air pollution in terms of particulate matter emissions, impacting public health

Statistic 30

Coal ash produced globally exceeds 1 billion tonnes annually, with disposal presenting environmental challenges

Statistic 31

The transition away from coal in the United States has led to the closure of over 200 GW of coal capacity since 2010, reducing emissions but affecting economies

Statistic 32

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is being tested at a limited number of coal plants, aiming to reduce emissions; as of 2023, only a handful are operational worldwide

Statistic 33

The public perception of coal remains largely negative due to environmental concerns, with only about 20% of global population viewing it as a clean energy source

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The top five coal exporting countries in 2022 were Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Colombia, and the United States

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The global coal market was valued at around $1.2 trillion in 2022 and is projected to grow annually

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Global coal imports in 2022 totaled approximately 530 million tonnes, mainly driven by demand in Asia

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The coal industry is responsible for approximately 2-3% of global GDP depending on the country, with significant economic influence in coal-rich regions

Statistic 38

In 2022, China's continued import of coal was around 200 million tonnes, mostly from Indonesia and Australia, to meet domestic demand

Statistic 39

The global trade in thermal coal was valued at approximately $80 billion in 2022, indicating its economic importance

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China is the world's largest coal producer, producing about 3.9 billion tonnes in 2022

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The United States produced around 576 million short tons of coal in 2022

Statistic 42

India is the second-largest coal producer and consumer worldwide, with over 900 million tonnes produced in 2022

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China’s coal consumption in 2022 accounted for over 55% of the global total

Statistic 44

Indian coal production has increased by an average of 4% annually over the past decade, supporting the country’s energy needs

Statistic 45

The global coal-to-liquid fuel conversion is a niche industry, producing about 100,000 barrels per day in 2022

Statistic 46

In 2022, global coal consumption in manufacturing sectors such as cement and steel was around 350 million tonnes, representing about 10% of total coal usage

Statistic 47

India’s coal imports increased by 5% in 2022 compared to the previous year, as domestic production struggled to meet demand

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Key Highlights

The global coal industry accounted for approximately 27% of the world's electricity generation in 2022
China is the world's largest coal producer, producing about 3.9 billion tonnes in 2022
The United States produced around 576 million short tons of coal in 2022
The coal industry employed approximately 41,000 workers in the United States as of 2022
Global coal consumption increased by 1.3% in 2022, driven mainly by increases in Asia
India is the second-largest coal producer and consumer worldwide, with over 900 million tonnes produced in 2022
Approximately 70% of coal mined in the United States is used for electricity generation
The top five coal exporting countries in 2022 were Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Colombia, and the United States
Coal-fired power plants are responsible for roughly 30% of global carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation
The world’s total coal reserves are estimated at 1.1 trillion tonnes, sufficient for approximately 132 years at current consumption rates
China’s coal consumption in 2022 accounted for over 55% of the global total
The European Union has committed to phasing out unabated coal power by 2030, as part of its climate goals
The global retirements of coal-fired power plants reached approximately 180 GW in 2022, aiming to reduce emissions

As the world grapples with energy demands and climate concerns, the coal industry remains a powerful yet controversial force, accounting for 27% of global electricity generation in 2022 and shaping economies, environments, and policies across every continent.

Employment and Socioeconomic Factors

The coal industry employed approximately 41,000 workers in the United States as of 2022
Coal mining contributes significantly to local economies in regions such as Appalachia, with coal towns depending on mining for employment
Coal mining is a major source of employment in countries such as Australia and the US, providing over 150,000 jobs combined
The rapid decline of coal jobs in certain regions has led to socio-economic challenges, prompting policies to retrain workers for renewable energies

Employment and Socioeconomic Factors Interpretation

While coal still fuels millions of livelihoods across the U.S. and Australia, its waning prominence underscores a shifting landscape where economic dependency on fossil fuels is giving way to the urgent need for sustainable job retraining and economic diversification.

Energy Generation and Infrastructure

The global coal industry accounted for approximately 27% of the world's electricity generation in 2022
Global coal consumption increased by 1.3% in 2022, driven mainly by increases in Asia
Approximately 70% of coal mined in the United States is used for electricity generation
The world’s total coal reserves are estimated at 1.1 trillion tonnes, sufficient for approximately 132 years at current consumption rates
India added roughly 13 GW of new coal-fired capacity in 2022, making it the largest new capacity added
The average age of coal-fired power plants in the United States is about 39 years, indicating an aging infrastructure that may need replacement or upgrade
Asia accounts for approximately 85% of global coal consumption, driven by rapid industrialization
The use of coal in electricity generation has declined in the United States from over 50% in the early 2000s to around 22% in 2022
The number of operational coal power plants in the world was estimated at around 2,100 in 2022, with China, India, and the US leading
The cost of building a new coal-fired power plant is estimated at around $1.5 billion to $3 billion, depending on capacity and location
The global share of electricity generated from coal is projected to decline slightly to around 26% by 2030 due to renewables, according to IEA forecasts
The decline in coal use in Europe was roughly 8% in 2022, as many countries shift toward renewable energy sources
The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for new coal plants varies widely but averages around $60-$100 per MWh globally in 2022, making renewables increasingly competitive
The utilization rate of existing coal power plants in the US was approximately 53% in 2022, indicating underutilization
Only about 60% of the coal produced globally is directly used for electricity generation, with the remainder used in steelmaking, cement manufacturing, and other industries
China’s coal imports are expected to rise modestly in 2023 to meet increasing demand, despite efforts to boost domestic production
The majority of coal-fired power plants globally are over 30 years old, highlighting the need for modernization or replacement
The operating cost of a typical coal plant ranges from $20 to $40 per MWh, varying with location and technology, affecting profitability

Energy Generation and Infrastructure Interpretation

Despite holding a substantial 27% share of global electricity in 2022, the coal industry faces a future where aging infrastructure, rising costs, and a downward trend in usage—especially in the West—highlight an industry at the crossroads of economic necessity and environmental necessity.

Environmental and Climate Impact

Coal-fired power plants are responsible for roughly 30% of global carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation
The European Union has committed to phasing out unabated coal power by 2030, as part of its climate goals
The global retirements of coal-fired power plants reached approximately 180 GW in 2022, aiming to reduce emissions
The carbon footprint of coal power plants is approximately 3.5 to 4.0 pounds of CO2 per kWh generated, depending on technology and efficiency
The environmental impact of coal mining includes land degradation and water pollution, affecting over 10 million people worldwide
The average coal mine yields about 8-20 grams of methane per tonne of coal mined, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions
The coal industry accounted for about 40% of global air pollution in terms of particulate matter emissions, impacting public health
Coal ash produced globally exceeds 1 billion tonnes annually, with disposal presenting environmental challenges
The transition away from coal in the United States has led to the closure of over 200 GW of coal capacity since 2010, reducing emissions but affecting economies
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is being tested at a limited number of coal plants, aiming to reduce emissions; as of 2023, only a handful are operational worldwide
The public perception of coal remains largely negative due to environmental concerns, with only about 20% of global population viewing it as a clean energy source

Environmental and Climate Impact Interpretation

While coal still fuels 30% of global electricity and accounts for a significant share of pollution and land degradation, the accelerating retirements, EU commitments, and limited CCS deployment highlight a worldwide push towards cleaner energy, reminding us that coal's future is as grim as its environmental footprint.

Global Market and Trade Dynamics

The top five coal exporting countries in 2022 were Australia, Indonesia, Russia, Colombia, and the United States
The global coal market was valued at around $1.2 trillion in 2022 and is projected to grow annually
Global coal imports in 2022 totaled approximately 530 million tonnes, mainly driven by demand in Asia
The coal industry is responsible for approximately 2-3% of global GDP depending on the country, with significant economic influence in coal-rich regions
In 2022, China's continued import of coal was around 200 million tonnes, mostly from Indonesia and Australia, to meet domestic demand
The global trade in thermal coal was valued at approximately $80 billion in 2022, indicating its economic importance

Global Market and Trade Dynamics Interpretation

Despite accounting for just a small slice of global GDP, coal's hefty $1.2 trillion market and the relentless drive of Asian demand underscore its enduring economic grip, even as debates over its environmental footprint intensify.

Production and Consumption Trends

China is the world's largest coal producer, producing about 3.9 billion tonnes in 2022
The United States produced around 576 million short tons of coal in 2022
India is the second-largest coal producer and consumer worldwide, with over 900 million tonnes produced in 2022
China’s coal consumption in 2022 accounted for over 55% of the global total
Indian coal production has increased by an average of 4% annually over the past decade, supporting the country’s energy needs
The global coal-to-liquid fuel conversion is a niche industry, producing about 100,000 barrels per day in 2022
In 2022, global coal consumption in manufacturing sectors such as cement and steel was around 350 million tonnes, representing about 10% of total coal usage
India’s coal imports increased by 5% in 2022 compared to the previous year, as domestic production struggled to meet demand

Production and Consumption Trends Interpretation

With China and India dominating global coal production and consumption—accounting for over half the world's coal use—the reliance on this fossil fuel underscores the industry's pivotal role in powering developing economies, even as its environmental and sustainability implications remain in sharp focus.