Unlike most ES evaluation frameworks in the literature, this study provides a new evaluation technique based on the integrated application of subjective and objective weight allocation methods SOWA (Subjective & Objective Weight Allocation), and introduces a balance score matrix (BSM) highlighting how well a country manages the trade-offs between the three competing dimensions for evaluating global national energy security. The results show that countries are struggling to develop a comprehensively secure energy system, with only one country out of 162 achieving an 'Excellent' score and 37 countries achieving a 'Good' score, together accounting for approximately one-fourth Of the sampled countries. Meanwhile, the spatial disparity in the global performance of national ES is very significant: 'Excellent' and 'Good' groups are concentrated in Western Europe and North America, while the 'Limited' are concentrated in Europe, Middle East and Asia; the 'Weak' and 'Poor' groups are concentrated in Africa and Asia. Overall, this proposed framework allows for the quick identification of deficiencies within three dimensions in the ES context by pinpointing the main weaknesses. The study also offers suggestions for improving the performance of countries in different categories. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.