Visual relationship between energy consumption and economic growth: the geographical perspective

Theoretical and empirical evidences have established that the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth is strong. The relationship is usually tested and represented using economic theories and formula. This paper explains the relationships between energy consumption and economic growth by applying Geographic Information Mapping System. This is employed by presenting visual relationship in maps as geographical alternative of visualising the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth. The relationship is visualised using choropleths, bivariate, and proportional symbol maps created in a GIS environment. This geographical alternative provides clear picture of the relationship. The results show that patterns of energy consumption differ from one region to another and there is no perfect linear relationship between energy consumption and economic activities. Some countries have very low demand for absolute primary energy and even their per capita energy consumption is low. This is because their economic output is relatively lower; while, some countries have high demand for energy as a result of strong economic output. The use of bivariate and proportional symbol mapping proves that geographical visualisation is more efficient and effective in representing relationships.