According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global coal demand is expected to continue growing at a steady pace (+2.1%/year or +772 Mtce), reaching 9 Gt/year by 2019. More than 90% of the consumption increase (+727 Mtce) will occur in Asia, with China accounting for more than 60% of the consumption increase in spite of efforts to diversify its energy mix and to improve energy efficiency; India and ASEAN countries will also play a significant role in the consumption increase (23% and 10% of the hike). India will become the second largest coal consumer worldwide (+5%/year increase in consumption by 2019), overtaking the United States. US coal consumption will continue to fall by 1.7%/year to reach 561 Mtce in 2019, its lowest level since 1983, due to the rise in shale gas production and environmental constraints. Energy efficiency policies and increasing renewable generation in Europe are likely to reduce coal consumption in Europe (-16 Mtce to 314 Mtce in 2019).