Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand
New Zealand: Per capita nitrous oxide emissions was 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
Change on year
down 2.1%
World rank
3rd
of 201 countries
All-time high
20.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
in 1850
All-time low
2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
in 2024
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person.
Analysis
The most recent figure for per capita nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand is 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 175 years on record.
That represents a change of down 2.1% on the previous year and down 18.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, per capita nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand peaked at 20.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 1850 and was at its lowest, 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, in 2024.
New Zealand ranks 3rd of 201 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 20.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | — |
| 1851 | 20.13 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1852 | 19.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.6% |
| 1853 | 19.42 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1854 | 19.01 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 1855 | 18.58 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.3% |
| 1856 | 18.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.5% |
| 1857 | 17.64 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.7% |
| 1858 | 17.13 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.9% |
| 1859 | 16.45 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.0% |
| 1860 | 15.61 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.1% |
| 1861 | 14.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.0% |
| 1862 | 13.67 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.8% |
| 1863 | 12.64 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.5% |
| 1864 | 11.69 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.5% |
| 1865 | 10.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.5% |
| 1866 | 10 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.5% |
| 1867 | 9.25 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.5% |
| 1868 | 8.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.5% |
| 1869 | 7.96 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.0% |
| 1870 | 7.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.6% |
| 1871 | 7.08 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.8% |
| 1872 | 6.93 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 1873 | 6.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1874 | 6.95 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.6% |
| 1875 | 7.01 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.8% |
| 1876 | 7.05 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 1877 | 7.04 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1878 | 6.96 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.1% |
| 1879 | 6.86 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.5% |
| 1880 | 6.7 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.3% |
| 1881 | 6.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.5% |
| 1882 | 6.4 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 1883 | 6.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.6% |
| 1884 | 6.19 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 1885 | 6.07 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.8% |
| 1886 | 5.96 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1887 | 5.85 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1888 | 5.74 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.8% |
| 1889 | 5.65 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.6% |
| 1890 | 6.15 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +8.9% |
| 1891 | 5.76 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.4% |
| 1892 | 5.41 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.9% |
| 1893 | 5.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.4% |
| 1894 | 4.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.0% |
| 1895 | 4.65 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.5% |
| 1896 | 4.46 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.0% |
| 1897 | 4.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.5% |
| 1898 | 4.17 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.0% |
| 1899 | 4.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.7% |
| 1900 | 3.97 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.4% |
| 1901 | 3.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.4% |
| 1902 | 3.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.0% |
| 1903 | 3.95 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.0% |
| 1904 | 4.01 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.7% |
| 1905 | 4.09 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.9% |
| 1906 | 4.17 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.9% |
| 1907 | 4.24 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.6% |
| 1908 | 4.28 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.0% |
| 1909 | 4.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.4% |
| 1910 | 4.28 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1911 | 4.25 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 1912 | 4.22 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 1913 | 4.18 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 1914 | 4.14 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1915 | 4.1 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 1916 | 4.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 1917 | 4.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 1918 | 3.98 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 1919 | 3.95 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1920 | 3.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1921 | 3.89 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.7% |
| 1922 | 3.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1923 | 3.85 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1924 | 3.84 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1925 | 3.83 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1926 | 3.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1927 | 3.78 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.7% |
| 1928 | 3.75 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1929 | 3.71 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 1930 | 3.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1931 | 3.62 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1932 | 3.57 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1933 | 3.53 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1934 | 3.48 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1935 | 3.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1936 | 3.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1937 | 3.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1938 | 3.31 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1939 | 3.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1940 | 3.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1941 | 3.24 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.3% |
| 1942 | 3.33 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.8% |
| 1943 | 3.47 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.4% |
| 1944 | 3.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.4% |
| 1945 | 3.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.7% |
| 1946 | 4.08 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.4% |
| 1947 | 4.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.7% |
| 1948 | 4.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.8% |
| 1949 | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.4% |
| 1950 | 4.58 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.8% |
| 1951 | 4.57 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1952 | 4.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1953 | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1954 | 4.53 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1955 | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1956 | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1957 | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.0% |
| 1958 | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1959 | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1960 | 4.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1961 | 4.47 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1962 | 4.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.7% |
| 1963 | 4.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1964 | 4.41 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1965 | 4.48 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.5% |
| 1966 | 4.67 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.3% |
| 1967 | 4.85 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.7% |
| 1968 | 4.94 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.0% |
| 1969 | 4.96 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.3% |
| 1970 | 4.94 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1971 | 4.63 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.1% |
| 1972 | 4.82 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.1% |
| 1973 | 4.63 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.1% |
| 1974 | 4.56 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.4% |
| 1975 | 4.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.5% |
| 1976 | 4.41 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 1977 | 4.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.6% |
| 1978 | 4.49 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.3% |
| 1979 | 4.46 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 1980 | 4.68 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.0% |
| 1981 | 4.69 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 4.68 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1983 | 4.63 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 1984 | 4.58 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.1% |
| 1985 | 4.52 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.4% |
| 1986 | 4.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.8% |
| 1987 | 4.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.8% |
| 1988 | 4.36 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1989 | 4.17 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.3% |
| 1990 | 4.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.5% |
| 1991 | 3.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.1% |
| 1992 | 3.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.4% |
| 1993 | 3.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1994 | 3.82 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.4% |
| 1995 | 3.86 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.2% |
| 1996 | 3.68 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.7% |
| 1997 | 3.62 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 1998 | 3.5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.3% |
| 1999 | 3.57 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 3.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 2001 | 3.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 3.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 3.58 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 3.53 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 3.5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 3.42 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.4% |
| 2007 | 3.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 2008 | 3.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.7% |
| 2009 | 3.14 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 3.15 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 3.14 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 3.16 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 3.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.1% |
| 2014 | 3.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 3.03 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.1% |
| 2016 | 2.95 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.5% |
| 2017 | 2.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 2018 | 2.86 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.5% |
| 2019 | 2.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 2.74 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 2.69 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.8% |
| 2022 | 2.62 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.3% |
| 2023 | 2.6 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.1% |
| 2024 | 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person is above the median for high income countries, which is 0.3904 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, 6.5× the median. (67 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 0.2323 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, 10.9× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 18.67 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 16.45 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 20.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1860s | 11.48 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 7.96 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 15.61 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1870s | 7.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 6.86 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 7.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1880s | 6.14 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 5.65 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 6.7 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1890s | 4.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 6.15 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1900s | 4.08 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1910s | 4.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.95 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.28 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1920s | 3.82 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.71 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1930s | 3.46 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1940s | 3.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1950s | 4.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.53 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.58 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1960s | 4.62 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.41 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.96 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.58 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.41 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.94 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 4.52 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.17 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.69 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.75 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.14 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.58 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.16 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.64 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.74 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 5 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
- 1 Mongolia 4.26 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 2 Botswana 3.14 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 4 Australia 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 5 Uruguay 2.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 6 Central African Republic 1.88 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
More reference data data for New Zealand
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.4532 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 9.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 10.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0459 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 10.93 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.52 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 42.17 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 47.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.2499 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is per capita nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand?
- Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in New Zealand was 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest per capita nitrous oxide emissions recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 20.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 1850.
- What is the lowest per capita nitrous oxide emissions recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.54 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2024.
- How does New Zealand rank for per capita nitrous oxide emissions?
- New Zealand ranks 3rd out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is per capita nitrous oxide emissions rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Per capita nitrous oxide emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in tonnes per person of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.