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 ** metric tons per person (tCO₂/cap). Meanwhile, India had the lowest per capita CO₂ emissions, at around *** 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 ** 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 ******* of global GHG emissions from oil and gas production in 2022, while the U.S. contributed almost ** percent.

Qatar has the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, at **** 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 *** 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 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.

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 7 countries was 8.07 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Canada: 14.35 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.

The average for 2023 based on 19 countries was 5.73 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.

Global per capita carbon dioxide emissions averaged 4.7 metric tons in 2023. This represented a slight increase in comparison to the previous year. Qatar has the largest per capita CO₂ emissions worldwide, at more than 37 metric tons per person.

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.

The USA: Carbon dioxide emissions per capita: The latest value from 2023 is 13.9 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, a decline from 14.33 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 19.18 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 20 countries was 2.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Puerto Rico: 4.31 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.

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.

Sweden: Carbon dioxide emissions per capita: The latest value from 2023 is 3.36 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, a decline from 3.45 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 Sweden from 1970 to 2023 is 6.95 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The minimum value, 3.36 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 11.96 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita was recorded in 1970.

The average for 2023 based on 46 countries was 7.18 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.

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.

Australia had the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions of all OECD member countries in 2023, at ** metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e). Canadians were the second-worst carbon polluters that year, with average emissions of just over ** tCO₂e/cap.13 of the ** OECD member countries had per capita emissions below the global average in 2023, with Costa Rica, the most recent OECD member, averaging just below **** tCO₂e/cap.

Belgium CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data was reported at 7.176 Tonne in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.663 Tonne for 2022. Belgium CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data is updated yearly, averaging 11.433 Tonne from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.061 Tonne in 1979 and a record low of 7.176 Tonne in 2023. Belgium 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 Belgium – Table BE.DG JRC.EDGAR: Environmental: Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO2 Emissions: Annual.

Jordan CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data was reported at 2.251 Tonne in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.147 Tonne for 2022. Jordan CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data is updated yearly, averaging 2.945 Tonne from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.844 Tonne in 1987 and a record low of 1.231 Tonne in 1972. Jordan 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 Jordan – Table JO.DG JRC.EDGAR: Environmental: Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO2 Emissions: Annual.

The average for 2023 based on 19 countries was 7.89 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. The highest value was in Saudi Arabia: 18.48 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita and the lowest value was in India: 2.05 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.

China CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data was reported at 9.242 Tonne in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.749 Tonne for 2022. China CO2 Emissions: Tonnes of CO2 Equivalent per Capita per Year data is updated yearly, averaging 2.709 Tonne from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2023, with 54 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.242 Tonne in 2023 and a record low of 1.080 Tonne in 1971. China 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 China – Table CN.DG JRC.EDGAR: Environmental: Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO2 Emissions: Annual.