Qatar had the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2023, at 42.6 metric tons per person. Per capita emissions in Qatar have remained relatively stable in recent years, but have fallen notably since the mid-2000s.In 1985, the tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao had the highest CO₂ emissions per capita in the world, at 90 metric tons, but by 2020, this figure had fallen to just 10 metric tons per person. Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide Several of the Middle East’s largest oil producing countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, are among the world’s largest per capita CO₂ emitters. Per capita emissions in Saudi Arabia have experienced a growth of roughly 75 percent since 1990. Canada is another major oil producing country with high CO₂ emissions per capita. Rising emissions Global greenhouse gas emissions have been on the rise since the industrial revolution began approximately 200 years ago. However, over the past 50 years CO₂ emissions have skyrocketed, and are projected to have reached a new record high in 2024.

The average for 2023 based on 189 countries was 4.76 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Palau: 81.21 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita and the lowest value was in Micronesia: 0 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2023 based on 7 countries was 8.09 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Canada: 14.34 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita and the lowest value was in France: 4.14 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Over the past two decades, many developing countries have experienced significant growth in per capita emissions. This is particularly the case in Asia. Fueled by rapid industrialization, per capita emissions in Vietnam have increased by almost 400 percent since 2000. Per capita emissions in China, India, and Indonesia have also increased substantially during this period. In comparison, per capita emissions in developed countries such as the United Kingdom have halved since 2000. Per capita emissions The growth in per capita emissions in China has coincided with the country becoming the world’s biggest emitter. However, despite the vast amounts of carbon dioxide China releases every year, its per capita emissions are far lower than in many other countries, at just eight metric tons per person. In comparison, the average American produces nearly 15 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year. This is three times higher than the average per capita emissions worldwide. Emissions in oil producing countries Per capita emissions are noticeably higher in oil producing countries. In the Middle East region, Qatar and Kuwait average more than 25 metric tons of CO₂ per inhabitant. People in more populous oil producing countries, such as Canada and Australia, average roughly 15 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year.

Saudi Arabia is the largest per capita emitter of fossil carbon dioxide (CO₂) among G20 countries. In 2023, emissions in the Middle Eastern country amounted to just over 17 metric tons per person (tCO₂/cap). Meanwhile, India had the lowest per capita CO₂ emissions, at around 2.1 tCO₂/cap.

Population vs emissions Despite being the most populated G20 country, India has the lowest per capita CO₂ emissions of them all. This is mainly due to India’s economy being largely agrarian. Additionally, per capita energy consumption in the South Asian country is relatively low compared to many developed nations. On the other hand, Canada, which has a small population size of roughly 38 million, had the second-largest emissions per capita in the G20. The North American country’s oil and gas industry is a key factor for this. Emissions from oil and gas production Other major oil and gas producers, such as Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and Russia, are also among the biggest per capita emitters globally. Russia alone accounted for nearly a quarter of global GHG emissions from oil and gas production in 2022, while the U.S. contributed almost 20 percent.

The average for 2023 based on 27 countries was 5.63 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Luxembourg: 10.51 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita and the lowest value was in Malta: 3.05 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The average for 2023 based on 12 countries was 2.81 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Chile: 4.27 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita and the lowest value was in Paraguay: 1.21 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Qatar has the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, at 42.6 metric tons per person. Many countries in the Middle East had high levels emissions, especially when compared to countries in Africa. Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide Some of the Middle East’s largest oil producing countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are among the world’s largest carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitters per capita. Countries such as the United States, Australia and Canada also show disproportionately high levels of emission per inhabitant. Despite a relatively low population for its size, Canada’s CO₂ emissions have recently surpassed 500 million metric tons, and the country is now amongst the largest producers of CO₂ emissions worldwide. Rising emissions Global greenhouse gas emissions have been on the rise since the industrial revolution began approximately 200 years ago. Over the past half-century CO₂ emissions have skyrocketed, and climbed to a record high in recent years. Yet, emissions fell considerably in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions to transportation and industrial activities.

The average for 2023 based on 24 countries was 4.07 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Trinidad and Tobago: 19.9 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita and the lowest value was in Haiti: 0.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Libya was the largest polluter in Africa in 2021. That year, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the country reached over 11 metric tons per capita. South Africa and Seychelles followed, emitting around 7.3 and 5.3 metric tons of CO2 per capita, respectively. In addition, Africa's average stood at roughly one metric ton per capita. In absolute terms, South Africa and Egypt produced the most emissions in Africa in 2021.

The USA: Carbon dioxide emissions per capita: The latest value from 2023 is 13.98 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, a decline from 14.36 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 4.76 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, based on data from 189 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1970 to 2023 is 19.19 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The minimum value, 13.47 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 23.11 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita was recorded in 1973.

The average for 2023 based on 46 countries was 7.19 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Qatar: 48.16 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita and the lowest value was in Afghanistan: 0.21 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The United States has one of the highest road transportation emissions per capita worldwide. The average American emitted roughly 4,500 kilograms of CO2 from road transport in 2018, which was slightly more than in neighboring Canada. The U.S. emits the largest volume of CO2 emissions from road transportation worldwide, followed by China. However, China's emissions per capita are considerably lower than in the U.S.. Low income countries, such as those is South Asia and Africa, have far lower road transportation emissions per capita than in higher income countries. For example, per capita road transportation emissions in Eritrea averaged 63 kg CO2/capita in 2018. This was approximately 70 times less than the per capita emissions in the U.S..

Nigeria: Carbon dioxide emissions per capita: The latest value from 2023 is 0.56 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, a decline from 0.58 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 4.76 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, based on data from 189 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1970 to 2023 is 0.79 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The minimum value, 0.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, was reached in 2009 while the maximum of 1.39 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita was recorded in 1979.

United States CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data was reported at 13.831 Tonne in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.240 Tonne for 2022. United States CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data is updated yearly, averaging 19.743 Tonne from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22.748 Tonne in 1973 and a record low of 13.475 Tonne in 2020. United States CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Commission’s Directorate-General for Joint Research Centre. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.DG JRC.EDGAR: Environmental: Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO2 Emissions: Annual.

Monaco CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data was reported at 4.253 Tonne in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.691 Tonne for 2022. Monaco CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data is updated yearly, averaging 6.697 Tonne from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.261 Tonne in 1973 and a record low of 4.253 Tonne in 2023. Monaco CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Commission’s Directorate-General for Joint Research Centre. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Monaco – Table MC.DG JRC.EDGAR: Environmental: Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO2 Emissions: Annual. The data is combination of France and Monaco.

Luxembourg had the highest per capita GHG emissions in the EU-27 in 2022, at 12.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e/cap). This was almost double the EU-27 average that year. By comparison, Malta and Sweden had the lowest per capita emissions in 2022, at less around four tCO₂e/cap. Per capita emissions reductions Nearly all EU-27 member states have experienced per capita emissions reductions over the past three decades. Luxembourg's per capita emissions, for example, have fallen by more than 60 percent when compared to 1990 levels. Overall, average EU-27 per capita emissions have dropped by more than 40 percent since 1990. Who is the EU's largest GHG emitter? In terms of overall emissions, Germany is by far the biggest GHG polluter in the EU-27, having generated some 670 MtCO₂e in 2023. Italy and France followed, with both countries emitting roughly 380 MtCO₂e that year.

This dataset offers detailed insights into CO2 emissions by country (2022), focusing on per capita trends from 1991 to 2022 across major global economies. It highlights significant reductions in the United States, where emissions dropped from 21.28 tons per capita in 2000 to 14.93 tons by 2022, driven by increased energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and a transition from coal to natural gas. Canada’s stable emissions (16-18 tons) reflect its energy-intensive industries and cold climate. China's dramatic increase in CO2 emissions per capita by country (2023) stands out, with a rise from 2.23 tons in 1991 to 7.95 tons by 2022, driven by rapid industrialization. European nations, including Germany and France, exhibit declining trends due to aggressive climate policies and renewable energy advancements, visible in the CO2 emissions per capita by country (2023) graph. Japan shows stable emissions (9-10 tons), balancing energy efficiency with nuclear power challenges. The dataset also tracks low but rising emissions in India (0.69 to 1.9 tons) and Brazil (1.5 to 2.32 tons), reflecting economic growth and sustainable practices. This resource is invaluable for analyzing per capita CO2 emissions (2023) trends, supporting climate policy development, and creating visual comparisons for global emissions data.

Per capita transportation emissions in the United States averaged 5.05 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in 2023. This was the highest per capita emissions among the world's largest contributors to transportation emissions. U.S. transportation emissions were the highest worldwide in 2023, at 1.7 billion metric tons of CO₂ (GtCO₂). Although China was the second-largest contributor to global transportation emissions that year, the average person in China emitted just 0.75 metric tons of transportation-related CO₂ that year.

France FR: CO2 Emissions: Metric Tons per Capita data was reported at 4.573 Metric Ton in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.062 Metric Ton for 2013. France FR: CO2 Emissions: Metric Tons per Capita data is updated yearly, averaging 6.436 Metric Ton from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2014, with 55 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.667 Metric Ton in 1973 and a record low of 4.573 Metric Ton in 2014. France FR: CO2 Emissions: Metric Tons per Capita data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.World Bank: Environment: Pollution. Carbon dioxide emissions are those stemming from the burning of fossil fuels and the manufacture of cement. They include carbon dioxide produced during consumption of solid, liquid, and gas fuels and gas flaring.; ; Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, United States.; Weighted Average;