Resource Efficiency Index

Resource Intensity Index

Global Resource Intensity & Resource Efficiency Index

Resource efficiency and intensity is the capability of maximising the output from available resources while minimising waste – both in industrial (work) and human (private) consumption. It involves using resources in the most optimal way to reduce environmental impact, minimise cost and ensure sustainability. Resource efficiency is about delivering more with less (measured against economic output), while resource intensity is resource measured per person.

In-efficiency in using resources – whether domestic or imported – is a cost factor, affecting the competitiveness and thus wealth of nations. Over-exploitation of existing natural resources also affects the natural capital of the country, i.e. the ability of a country to support its population and economy with the required resources into the future.

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Resource Management Indicators

Key clusters to measure resource intensity and efficiency

Energy intensity & efficiency

Analysis of energy consumption, usage and efficiency. High energy efficiency is equal to lower overall economic cost affecting competitiveness and vice-versa

Water intensity & efficiency

Evaluation of water consumption, usage, and water usage efficiency in light of water availability and pollution indicators

Materials intensity & efficiency

Evaluation of the usage of basic materials (construction and consumption materials) and the efficiency of the material consumption

Pollution levels

Evaluation of national pollution levels. Pollution affects health of the population and negatively affects infrastructure

Resource intensity

Analysis of resource intensity against average personal consumption

Resource efficiency

Analysis of resource consumption against economic output

Why Resource Efficiency Matters

Efficient resource use drives cost competitiveness and long-term sustainability

For Investors

  • Protection against rising resource and energy prices
  • Lower exposure to supply chain disruptions
  • Investment in future-proof efficient operations
  • Reduced environmental compliance costs
  • Enhanced portfolio resilience through resource stability

For Businesses

  • Lower operational costs through efficient resource use
  • Competitive advantage in resource-constrained markets
  • Reduced vulnerability to commodity price volatility
  • Better brand reputation through sustainable practices
  • Compliance with increasingly strict environmental regulations

Bottom Line: Should global prices for raw materials and energy rise significantly, countries in the lower ranks will face substantially higher costs and challenges to maintain their growth compared to countries with higher efficiency scores.

The State of the World

A global snapshot of resource efficiency performance and trends

Global Scores

Lowest26%
Global Average47%
Global Best61%
Ideal World100%

Global Trends

Positive Trends65%
No Trend4%
Negative Trends31%
Overall Sentiment+34%
More NegativeMore Positive

Key Observations

1

The combined Resource Efficiency/Intensity Index is led by Cameroon, followed by Switzerland, Uganda, Nigeria and Sweden: a mix of highly developed economies and less developed countries

2

African countries hold 12 of the top 20 places, including Uganda, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia, reflecting low resource consumption

3

Resource intensity (resource consumption per capita) differs strongly from resource efficiency (economic value generation per resource consumption). In resource intensity, less developed countries perform better than most industrial economies: 16 of the top 20 are African, while the United States ranks 183rd, China 176th and Japan 124th

4

In contrast, the Resource Efficiency Index (resource consumption per unit of economic value) is dominated by highly developed economies, led by Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland

5

Among major economies, the United Kingdom is ranked 6th, France 9th, Germany 39th, Japan 57th and the United States 162nd

6

China ranks 153rd, primarily due to reliance on heavy industries and construction boom (157th in energy efficiency, 164th in materials intensity), though showing positive efficiency improvements: up from 180th in 2010, with 63% of its resource indicators improving

Resource Efficiency Rankings

Explore how countries compare across resource efficiency indicators

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Rank
Country
Score
1Cameroon60.82
2Switzerland60.12
3Uganda58.94
4Nigeria58.90
5Sweden58.70
6United Kingdom58.68
7Norway58.66
8Democratic Republic of the Congo58.30
9France57.92
10Ethiopia57.89
11Sierra Leone57.40
12Kenya57.08
13Denmark56.99
14São Tomé and Príncipe56.21
15Malawi56.09
16Sri Lanka55.83
17Burundi55.57
18Rwanda55.32
19Gambia54.99
20Ireland54.95
21Côte d'Ivoire54.82
22Haiti54.65
23Burkina Faso54.62
24Micronesia54.60
25Angola54.55
26Somalia54.52
27Luxembourg54.46
28Liberia54.35
29Guinea-Bissau54.22
30Madagascar54.17

Note: Showing top 30 countries. Click column headers to sort.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About resource efficiency, intensity, and how they are measured

Resource efficiency is the capability of maximising output from available resources while minimising waste, both in industrial production and private consumption. Inefficient use of resources, whether domestic or imported, is a direct cost factor that affects the competitiveness and wealth of nations. Over-exploitation of natural resources also degrades a country's natural capital, reducing its ability to support its population and economy in the future.
Resource efficiency measures resource consumption per unit of economic value created, meaning how much GDP a country generates per unit of energy, water, or materials consumed. Resource intensity measures resource consumption per person. Less developed countries tend to rank higher in intensity (low per-capita consumption), while highly developed economies dominate the efficiency rankings (high output per resource unit). The GSCI combines both measures.
The GSCI Resource Efficiency Index evaluates seven indicator clusters: energy intensity and efficiency, carbon emissions, water intensity and efficiency, materials intensity and efficiency, pollution levels, per-capita resource intensity, and resource efficiency against economic output. Together these capture how well a country converts resource inputs into economic and social value.
The combined Resource Efficiency/Intensity Index is led by Cameroon, followed by Switzerland, Uganda, Nigeria and Sweden. African countries hold 12 of the top 20 places, including Uganda, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia, reflecting low per-capita consumption. Among major economies, the United Kingdom ranks 6th, France 9th, Germany 39th, Japan 57th, the United States 162nd and China 153rd.
Should global prices for raw materials and energy rise significantly, countries with low resource efficiency scores face substantially higher costs and greater challenges to maintain growth compared to countries with higher efficiency. Resource-efficient economies are better insulated against commodity price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and the economic consequences of events like the Strait of Hormuz closure.

Explore All Six Capital Dimensions

Discover how Resource Efficiency connects with Natural, Economic, Social, Intellectual, and Governance Capital

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