Air Conditioning Usage by Country 2024

Air conditioning is increasingly considered an essential part of life for many populations around the world, particularly those who regularly deal with hot, humid weather conditions.

However, the common use of air conditioning is not yet a worldwide phenomenon, and countries where it’s common tend to have their own approach. Here’s a closer look at which countries use air conditioning the most, as well as the differences in approach from nation to nation.

China

China is the world’s leading user of air conditioning with approximately 569 million units in use countrywide. The country’s formidable energy infrastructure, along with rising affordability, has helped to fuel the widespread use of cooling systems.

United States

In many areas of the United States, air conditioning is considered a crucial part of daily life, especially for those in regions like the Southwest and Southeast where heat and humidity can become unbearable.

However, air conditioning also accounts for a large amount of U.S. energy consumption, raising some concerns about sustainability and overall energy consumption, especially over the long haul.

Japan

In Japan, air conditioning use is widespread but also reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to energy-efficient solutions. Japanese air conditioners are known for balancing essentials like user comfort with frugal energy consumption.

Other countries that use air conditioning on a fairly widespread scale include but are not limited to Korea, Saudi Arabia, and India.

However, there are also many countries where air conditioning is much less common. For example, its use is less common across several European nations, particularly Germany where it’s quite rare. In Switzerland, air conditioning use requires a permit typically only granted for health reasons or similar concerns.

Air conditioning is even less common in Pacific Island nations such as Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga with alternative solutions like open-design housing helping to keep people cool.

Factors Influencing Air Conditioning Use

Rising global temperatures due to climate change are among the biggest factors driving an increase in air conditioning usage. Other examples include the following:

Urbanization: Higher population density and a greater number of indoor venues make air conditioning usage more common in urban areas and big cities.

Cultural Values: The extent to which a country’s society adopts values like convenience, personal comfort, and energy efficiency will also affect the extent to which its people use air conditioning.

Economics: In richer, better-developed countries where people have higher incomes on average, the widespread use of conveniences like air conditioning is more common.