World coal demand reached a record level in 2024

Global demand for coal reached a record level in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. According to the IEA, global coal consumption reached 8.77 billion tonnes this year. International coal trade reached 1.55 billion tonnes. China alone accounts for a third of global coal demand, followed by emerging economies such as India, Indonesia (also a major coal producer) and Vietnam. Japan and Korea are also major importers, reinforcing Asia as the centre of gravity of the global coal market. According to the IEA, global coal consumption is set to start falling as early as 2027.