Built 2026-09-19 (19 September 2026)

Mexico vs South Korea: Electricity Compared

Mexico generated 357 TWh of electricity in 2025 and South Korea 625 TWh, according to Ember. Mexico's largest source was gas (61.6%); South Korea's was coal (31.1%). Each kWh generated emitted 474 gCO2/kWh in Mexico and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea. These are Ember annual statistics for 2025, compiled from national sources; they are not real time.

Why this comparison: both among the 20 largest electricity users.

Key Facts

  • Gas supplied 61.6% of Mexico's electricity in 2025, against 28.0% in South Korea.
  • The average person in South Korea used 12.09 MWh of electricity in 2025, 4.5 times as much as in Mexico (2.70 MWh).
  • Low carbon sources supplied 25.9% of Mexico's electricity in 2025 and 39.9% of South Korea's.
  • Electricity demand in 2025 was 357 TWh in Mexico and 625 TWh in South Korea.

Key Figures, 2025

Ember annual statistics
MeasureMexicoSouth Korea
Total generation357 TWh625 TWh
Electricity demand357 TWh625 TWh
Demand per person2.70 MWh12.09 MWh
Carbon intensity474 gCO2/kWh417 gCO2/kWh
Power sector emissions169 MtCO2261 MtCO2
Low carbon share25.9%39.9%
Largest sourceGas 61.6%Coal 31.1%

Generation Mix, 2025

Share of generation
SourceMexicoSouth Korea
Gas 61.6% 28.0%
Coal 3.1% 31.1%
Nuclear 2.9% 29.6%
Other fossil 9.4% 1.0%
Hydro 8.1% 0.6%
Solar 7.4% 6.1%
Wind 6.0% 0.6%
Bioenergy 1.7% 3.2%

Carbon Intensity, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics
Carbon intensity of electricity in Mexico and South Korea, 1985 to 2025 Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Mexico and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 474 gCO2/kWh in Mexico and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea. 0 150 300 450 600 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Carbon intensity of electricity generated in Mexico and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in gCO2/kWh. In 2025 it was 474 gCO2/kWh in Mexico and 417 gCO2/kWh in South Korea.
Annual statistics through 2025, gCO2/kWh
Carbon intensity of electricity in Mexico and South Korea, 1985 to 2025
YearMexicoSouth Korea
1985468 gCO2/kWh524 gCO2/kWh
1986517 gCO2/kWh431 gCO2/kWh
1987535 gCO2/kWh345 gCO2/kWh
1988528 gCO2/kWh405 gCO2/kWh
1989515 gCO2/kWh383 gCO2/kWh
1990499 gCO2/kWh379 gCO2/kWh
1991513 gCO2/kWh399 gCO2/kWh
1992498 gCO2/kWh427 gCO2/kWh
1993499 gCO2/kWh451 gCO2/kWh
1994546 gCO2/kWh493 gCO2/kWh
1995501 gCO2/kWh479 gCO2/kWh
1996500 gCO2/kWh481 gCO2/kWh
1997518 gCO2/kWh492 gCO2/kWh
1998538 gCO2/kWh463 gCO2/kWh
1999513 gCO2/kWh453 gCO2/kWh
2000525 gCO2/kWh462 gCO2/kWh
2001544 gCO2/kWh475 gCO2/kWh
2002553 gCO2/kWh473 gCO2/kWh
2003570 gCO2/kWh458 gCO2/kWh
2004554 gCO2/kWh463 gCO2/kWh
2005556 gCO2/kWh450 gCO2/kWh
2006547 gCO2/kWh451 gCO2/kWh
2007554 gCO2/kWh474 gCO2/kWh
2008522 gCO2/kWh477 gCO2/kWh
2009554 gCO2/kWh495 gCO2/kWh
2010542 gCO2/kWh500 gCO2/kWh
2011540 gCO2/kWh497 gCO2/kWh
2012550 gCO2/kWh502 gCO2/kWh
2013547 gCO2/kWh512 gCO2/kWh
2014526 gCO2/kWh493 gCO2/kWh
2015534 gCO2/kWh488 gCO2/kWh
2016538 gCO2/kWh489 gCO2/kWh
2017534 gCO2/kWh511 gCO2/kWh
2018524 gCO2/kWh519 gCO2/kWh
2019526 gCO2/kWh497 gCO2/kWh
2020484 gCO2/kWh458 gCO2/kWh
2021456 gCO2/kWh460 gCO2/kWh
2022464 gCO2/kWh438 gCO2/kWh
2023489 gCO2/kWh427 gCO2/kWh
2024483 gCO2/kWh416 gCO2/kWh
2025474 gCO2/kWh417 gCO2/kWh

Demand per Person, 1985 to 2025

Ember annual statistics
Electricity demand per person in Mexico and South Korea, 1985 to 2025 Electricity demand per person in Mexico and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 2.70 MWh in Mexico and 12.09 MWh in South Korea. 0 4 8 11 15 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Electricity demand per person in Mexico and South Korea each year from 1985 to 2025, in MWh. In 2025 it was 2.70 MWh in Mexico and 12.09 MWh in South Korea.
Annual statistics through 2025, MWh
Electricity demand per person in Mexico and South Korea, 1985 to 2025
YearMexicoSouth Korea
1985n/an/a
1986n/an/a
1987n/an/a
1988n/an/a
1989n/an/a
1990n/an/a
1991n/an/a
1992n/an/a
1993n/an/a
1994n/an/a
1995n/an/a
1996n/an/a
1997n/an/a
1998n/an/a
1999n/an/a
20002.07 MWh6.21 MWh
20012.10 MWh6.59 MWh
20022.13 MWh7.02 MWh
20032.18 MWh7.32 MWh
20042.24 MWh7.72 MWh
20052.33 MWh8.14 MWh
20062.38 MWh8.39 MWh
20072.41 MWh8.83 MWh
20082.43 MWh9.15 MWh
20092.38 MWh9.32 MWh
20102.42 MWh10.15 MWh
20112.53 MWh10.55 MWh
20122.55 MWh10.71 MWh
20132.51 MWh10.73 MWh
20142.53 MWh10.69 MWh
20152.56 MWh10.75 MWh
20162.62 MWh10.94 MWh
20172.67 MWh11.20 MWh
20182.81 MWh11.48 MWh
20192.75 MWh11.34 MWh
20202.60 MWh11.13 MWh
20212.57 MWh11.72 MWh
20222.64 MWh12.02 MWh
20232.70 MWh11.93 MWh
20242.71 MWh12.09 MWh
20252.70 MWh12.09 MWh

Mexico history · South Korea history

Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2025.