What does energy intensity measure?

• A. Energy consumption per capita
• B. Share of renewables
• C. Total energy consumption
• D. Energy consumption per unit of GDP

Answer: (D)

Energy intensity measures how much energy an economy uses to produce a unit of economic output. In other words, it’s energy consumption per unit of GDP. A lower energy intensity means the economy is getting more output per unit of energy—indicating greater energy efficiency or a shift toward less energy‑intensive activities. A higher energy intensity points to more energy needed for the same amount of economic activity, often due to energy‑intensive industries or less efficient technologies. It’s not about energy use per person, nor total energy consumption, nor the share of renewables in the energy mix.