This chapter reveals significant differences in the drivers of residential energy consumption per capita (RECpc) between China—a rapidly developing economy—and the Netherlands—an advanced developed economy—during the 2001–2015 period. Through decomposition analysis, we examine four key components: income effects, energy-intensity effects, weather effects, and energy-mix effects. The most significant finding concerns the evolving role of energy intensity in China: it exhibited an upward trend during 2001–2007, followed by a subsequent decline. This reversal reflects shifting material conditions, particularly the transition toward more energy-intensive goods and the saturation of heating/cooling demand. In contrast, the Netherlands experienced reductions in RECpc attributable to three factors: declining energy intensity (–511.39 kgce), warmer winters (–58.81 kgce), and energy mix diversification (–1.08 kgce). While income growth contributed to rising RECpc in both countries, China's more rapid economic expansion significantly narrowed the RECpc gap with the Netherlands. This finding suggests that divergent RECpc trajectories between developing and developed nations reflect their distinct developmental stages. Based on these insights, we propose tailored policy recommendations to address each country's specific circumstances.