Coal Mid-Year Update 2025
About this report
Coal’s role in the global energy system today remains significant. Over the past decade, the world’s demand for coal has stayed relatively stable, apart from a temporary drop during the Covid-19 pandemic and the rapid rebound that followed. Today, global coal consumption, power generation, production and trade are all at record levels.
In many countries, coal continues to be the leading source of electricity generation, helping to meet growing energy needs. These trends carry major implications for energy security, affordability and sustainability, especially as coal remains the single largest contributor to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
While the large majority of the world’s coal use is concentrated in Asia, particularly China, consumption in Europe and North America remains considerable. Coal’s influence therefore remains global in both energy and climate discussions.
The International Energy Agency’s 2025 Coal Mid-Year Update reviews the latest trends in coal demand, production, trade and prices. It includes preliminary data for the first half of 2025 and provides updated forecasts for 2025 and 2026, grounded in recent market developments and economic conditions.