Ranking · Trade · 80 countries · data 2025
Countries that import the most electricity
Italy ranks first with 46.9 TWh, ahead of Thailand (36.86 TWh) and United Kingdom (29.07 TWh). 80 countries ranked, latest data 2025.
Net electricity imports equal imports minus exports across a country's borders in a year. Importers are often small or highly interconnected countries (Italy, Hungary, Finland, Switzerland in winter) or countries that buy cheaper hydro and nuclear power from neighbours.
Ranking rule. Only countries with a reported value for 2020 or later are ranked. Only countries whose imports exceed exports are listed.
Full ranking
| # | Country | Continent | Net imports (TWh) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | Europe | 46.9 | 2025 |
| 2 | Thailand | Asia | 36.86 | 2025 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | Europe | 29.07 | 2025 |
| 4 | Germany | Europe | 19.8 | 2025 |
| 5 | United States | North America | 16.02 | 2025 |
| 6 | Bangladesh | Asia | 14.66 | 2025 |
| 7 | Belgium | Europe | 13.67 | 2025 |
| 8 | Brazil | South America | 11.59 | 2025 |
| 9 | Hong Kong | Asia | 11.37 | 2024 |
| 10 | Portugal | Europe | 9.31 | 2025 |
| 11 | Argentina | South America | 9.3 | 2025 |
| 12 | Hungary | Europe | 8.66 | 2025 |
| 13 | Denmark | Europe | 7.37 | 2025 |
| 14 | Iraq | Asia | 7.1 | 2024 |
| 15 | Palestine | Asia | 7 | 2024 |
| 16 | Ireland | Europe | 6.69 | 2025 |
| 17 | Afghanistan | Asia | 5.83 | 2024 |
| 18 | Macau | Asia | 5.5 | 2024 |
| 19 | Finland | Europe | 5.48 | 2025 |
| 20 | Croatia | Europe | 5.35 | 2025 |
| 21 | Luxembourg | Europe | 5.16 | 2025 |
| 22 | Cambodia | Asia | 4.63 | 2025 |
| 23 | Romania | Europe | 4.58 | 2025 |
| 24 | Morocco | Africa | 3.73 | 2025 |
| 25 | Vietnam | Asia | 3.6 | 2025 |
| 26 | Kyrgyzstan | Asia | 3.53 | 2025 |
| 27 | Lithuania | Europe | 3.43 | 2025 |
| 28 | Estonia | Europe | 3.23 | 2025 |
| 29 | Uzbekistan | Asia | 2.93 | 2025 |
| 30 | Uruguay | South America | 2.81 | 2025 |
| 31 | Mongolia | Asia | 2.72 | 2025 |
| 32 | Austria | Europe | 2.62 | 2025 |
| 33 | Tunisia | Africa | 2.59 | 2025 |
| 34 | Kazakhstan | Asia | 2.41 | 2025 |
| 35 | Namibia | Africa | 2.4 | 2024 |
| 36 | Montenegro | Europe | 1.88 | 2025 |
| 37 | Zimbabwe | Africa | 1.84 | 2024 |
| 38 | Kenya | Africa | 1.54 | 2025 |
| 39 | North Macedonia | Europe | 1.53 | 2025 |
| 40 | Burkina Faso | Africa | 1.5 | 2024 |
| 40 | Togo | Africa | 1.5 | 2024 |
| 42 | Bhutan | Asia | 1.46 | 2024 |
| 43 | DR Congo | Africa | 1.44 | 2024 |
| 44 | Benin | Africa | 1.3 | 2024 |
| 45 | Colombia | South America | 1.25 | 2025 |
| 45 | Latvia | Europe | 1.25 | 2025 |
| 47 | Botswana | Africa | 1.24 | 2024 |
| 48 | India | Asia | 1.22 | 2025 |
| 49 | Georgia | Asia | 1.2 | 2025 |
| 49 | Niger | Africa | 1.2 | 2024 |
| 51 | Poland | Europe | 1.05 | 2025 |
| 52 | Eswatini | Africa | 1.04 | 2024 |
| 52 | Malta | Europe | 1.04 | 2025 |
| 54 | Indonesia | Asia | 0.96 | 2024 |
| 55 | Nicaragua | North America | 0.9 | 2024 |
| 56 | Sudan | Africa | 0.8 | 2024 |
| 57 | Serbia | Europe | 0.78 | 2025 |
| 58 | Djibouti | Africa | 0.6 | 2024 |
| 59 | Gabon | Africa | 0.58 | 2024 |
| 59 | Lesotho | Africa | 0.58 | 2024 |
| 61 | Guatemala | North America | 0.56 | 2024 |
| 62 | Senegal | Africa | 0.5 | 2024 |
| 63 | Bahrain | Asia | 0.49 | 2024 |
| 64 | Pakistan | Asia | 0.48 | 2025 |
| 65 | Belize | North America | 0.38 | 2024 |
| 66 | Albania | Europe | 0.33 | 2024 |
| 67 | Mauritania | Africa | 0.3 | 2024 |
| 68 | Singapore | Asia | 0.29 | 2025 |
| 69 | Myanmar | Asia | 0.21 | 2024 |
| 70 | Tanzania | Africa | 0.19 | 2024 |
| 71 | Honduras | North America | 0.15 | 2024 |
| 72 | Switzerland | Europe | 0.1 | 2025 |
| 72 | Ukraine | Europe | 0.1 | 2022 |
| 74 | Rwanda | Africa | 0.09 | 2024 |
| 75 | Burundi | Africa | 0.08 | 2024 |
| 76 | Cameroon | Africa | 0.06 | 2024 |
| 76 | Jordan | Asia | 0.06 | 2024 |
| 78 | Ecuador | South America | 0.04 | 2025 |
| 79 | Peru | South America | 0.03 | 2025 |
| 80 | Moldova | Europe | 0.01 | 2025 |
Leaders by continent
Asia
- Thailand36.86 TWh
- Bangladesh14.66 TWh
- Hong Kong11.37 TWh
Europe
- Italy46.9 TWh
- United Kingdom29.07 TWh
- Germany19.8 TWh
North America
- United States16.02 TWh
- Nicaragua0.9 TWh
- Guatemala0.56 TWh
Net imports: frequently asked questions
Which country has the highest net imports?
Italy, at 46.9 TWh (2025). The rest of the top five: Thailand 36.86 TWh, United Kingdom 29.07 TWh, Germany 19.8 TWh, and United States 16.02 TWh.
Which continent leads on net imports?
Asia (20.65 TWh) leads among continents, while Europe (−27.71 TWh) trails. Continental leaders: Africa: Morocco; Asia: Thailand; Europe: Italy; North America: United States; South America: Brazil.
What does “Net imports” measure?
Electricity imports minus exports in a year, in TWh. Only countries with a reported value for 2020 or later are ranked. Only countries whose imports exceed exports are listed.
Related rankings
Sources & references
- Our World in Data: Energy dataset (CC BY 4.0) — compiled from the sources below
- Ember: Yearly Electricity Data — generation, shares, carbon intensity
- Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy — primary energy, fossil production
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: International Energy Data — gap-filling for smaller countries