CONCLUSION

Energy utilization in developing countries varies radically from that of the developed nations. To compare the status of energy consumption between countries, energy consumption per capita and energy consumption per GDP (energy intensity) are computed. Plotting these indicators for all states gives an idea of the efficiency, the standard of living, or the development stage of a country.

However, the analysis reveals that the situations are very different from one continent to the other. It has been seen that similar characteristics generally are associated with a region. For instance, the two groups within Europe can more or less be divided into the eastern and the western subgroups. The countries of North Africa have different characteristics than the rest of the continent, probably due to the differences in the climate and their proximity to Europe. North America (Canada and the United States) also appears detached from the rest of the hemisphere. For different reasons, vast differences in energy consumption and similar GDP per capita, or the opposite, are found. Characteristics such as industry type, climate, or living standards must be studied to understand these differences. However,the indicators computed show significant variation in energy efficiencies.

The energy consumption per GDP for the energy sector computed for a sample of countries of each continent gives a good idea of this efficiency, even if the industry type should be taken into account. Developed countries generally have a very low value, indicating a highly efficient industrial sector; the developing nations encounter greater problems. Some developing countries, nonetheless, seem to have efficient industry. This indicator does not permit a precise conclusion and detailed analysis should be performed; still, it gives an estimate of the efficiency. In general, the energy consumption increases with higher GDP. Oceania countries have the highest GDP per capita (less than U.S. $3,000 to $15,000) and the energy consumption per capita ranges from 30 to 250 GJ. The African countries have the lowest GDP per capita (less than U.S. $1,000 to more than U.S. $1,000) and the energy consumption per capita ranges from less than 25 to 120 GJ. The share of traditional fuel consumed offers an idea about not only the amount of traditional fuel used but also the potential for conservation or for the transition to other sources in the energy ladder. Most developing countries continue to rely principally on traditional fuel with evidence of lower end-use efficiencies.