What is nitrogen use efficiency in Canada?

Nitrogen use efficiency in Canada was 59.5% in 2014, according to Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest nitrogen use efficiency recorded in Canada?

The highest recorded value was 190.9% in 1963.

What is the lowest nitrogen use efficiency recorded in Canada?

The lowest recorded value was 48.1% in 2002.

How does Canada rank for nitrogen use efficiency?

Canada ranks 75th out of 204 countries with data for 2014.

Is nitrogen use efficiency rising or falling in Canada?

Over the last ten years it is down 13.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.

Where does this Canada data come from?

The figures come from Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Nitrogen use efficiency. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Nitrogen use efficiency in Canada

Name: Nitrogen use efficiency in Canada
Creator: Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Canada: Nitrogen use efficiency was 59.5% in 2014. ▼ Falling

Latest (2014)

59.5%

Change on year

down 9.4%

World rank

75th

of 204 countries

All-time high

190.9%

in 1963

All-time low

48.1%

in 2002

Years of data

1961–2014

Nitrogen use efficiency in Canada, 1961–2014

Source: Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2014, nitrogen use efficiency in Canada stood at 59.5%.

The figure is down 9.4% on the previous year and down 13.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, nitrogen use efficiency in Canada peaked at 190.9% in 1963 and was at its lowest, 48.1%, in 2002.

That places Canada 75th out of 204 countries with data for 2014, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 54 years of available data.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1960s	152.6%	115.7%	190.9%	9
1970s	102.7%	79.0%	138.1%	10
1980s	73.5%	57.6%	86.0%	10
1990s	69.0%	62.3%	82.3%	10
2000s	64.3%	48.1%	76.0%	10
2010s	60.7%	55.7%	65.7%	5

Countries ranked near Canada

72 Madagascar 61.3% compare
73 Mali 60.2% compare
74 Myanmar 60.1% compare
76 Afghanistan 59.5% compare
77 South Africa 59.4% compare
78 Turkey 59.0% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More reference data data for Canada

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Summer temperature anomalies 1.7 °C (2026)
Temperature anomalies by month 2.12 °C (2026)
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Autumn temperature anomalies 2.47 °C (2025)
Winter temperature anomalies -2.57 °C (2025)
Consumer price index 140.97 2010 = 100 (2025)
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Competitive elections 1 (2025)
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All data for Canada →

Frequently asked questions

What is nitrogen use efficiency in Canada?: Nitrogen use efficiency in Canada was 59.5% in 2014, according to Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest nitrogen use efficiency recorded in Canada?: The highest recorded value was 190.9% in 1963.
What is the lowest nitrogen use efficiency recorded in Canada?: The lowest recorded value was 48.1% in 2002.
How does Canada rank for nitrogen use efficiency?: Canada ranks 75th out of 204 countries with data for 2014.
Is nitrogen use efficiency rising or falling in Canada?: Over the last ten years it is down 13.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Canada data come from?: The figures come from Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Nitrogen use efficiency. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 54 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator: Nitrogen use efficiency
Unit: %
Source: Lassaletta et al. (2014) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 205 places, 10,031 data points, 1961–2014
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is the ratio between nitrogen inputs and output. A NUE of 40% means that only 40% of nitrogen inputs are converted into nitrogen in the form of crops.