The survey by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy ranked countries on a 100-point scale, using 27 metrics grouped into four major categories: national efforts, buildings, industry and transportation.
Together the economies represent 63 percent of global energy consumption and 62 percent of the global carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions.
In the last decade, the United States has made "limited or little progress toward greater efficiency," the ACEEE report says.
The United Kingdom, coming in first place, received 67 points. The United States, ranked ninth, scored only 47 points -- nine points behind China, which tied in sixth place with the European Union and Australia.