Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in South Africa
South Africa: Per capita nitrous oxide emissions was 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
Change on year
down 0.3%
World rank
89th
of 201 countries
All-time high
1.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
in 1950
All-time low
0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
in 2024
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in South Africa, 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
In 2024, per capita nitrous oxide emissions in South Africa stood at 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person. That is the lowest value across all 175 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% on the previous year and down 13.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, per capita nitrous oxide emissions in South Africa peaked at 1.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 1950 and was at its lowest, 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, in 2024.
That places South Africa 89th out of 201 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 175 years of available data.
Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in South Africa, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 0.4247 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | — |
| 1851 | 0.4249 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.0% |
| 1852 | 0.4258 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1853 | 0.4274 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.4% |
| 1854 | 0.4287 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.3% |
| 1855 | 0.4296 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1856 | 0.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1857 | 0.4299 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1858 | 0.4292 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1859 | 0.4279 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1860 | 0.4259 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1861 | 0.4234 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1862 | 0.4209 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1863 | 0.4183 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1864 | 0.4157 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1865 | 0.413 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1866 | 0.4103 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1867 | 0.4077 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1868 | 0.4052 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1869 | 0.4027 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1870 | 0.4004 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1871 | 0.4012 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1872 | 0.4073 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.5% |
| 1873 | 0.4172 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.4% |
| 1874 | 0.4297 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.0% |
| 1875 | 0.4434 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.2% |
| 1876 | 0.4572 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.1% |
| 1877 | 0.4698 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.8% |
| 1878 | 0.4802 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.2% |
| 1879 | 0.4872 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.5% |
| 1880 | 0.4899 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 1881 | 0.4896 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1882 | 0.4888 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1883 | 0.4874 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1884 | 0.4857 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1885 | 0.4837 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1886 | 0.4816 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1887 | 0.4795 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1888 | 0.4775 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1889 | 0.4757 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1890 | 0.4889 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.8% |
| 1891 | 0.4885 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1892 | 0.4882 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1893 | 0.4881 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1894 | 0.488 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1895 | 0.4881 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.0% |
| 1896 | 0.4883 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.0% |
| 1897 | 0.4886 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1898 | 0.489 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1899 | 0.4888 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1900 | 0.488 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1901 | 0.4867 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1902 | 0.4847 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1903 | 0.4823 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1904 | 0.4799 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1905 | 0.4778 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1906 | 0.4758 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1907 | 0.4741 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1908 | 0.4726 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1909 | 0.4715 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1910 | 0.4709 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1911 | 0.4724 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.3% |
| 1912 | 0.4775 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.1% |
| 1913 | 0.4853 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.6% |
| 1914 | 0.4949 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.0% |
| 1915 | 0.5057 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.2% |
| 1916 | 0.5171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.2% |
| 1917 | 0.5283 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.2% |
| 1918 | 0.5392 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.1% |
| 1919 | 0.5483 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.7% |
| 1920 | 0.5551 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.2% |
| 1921 | 0.5612 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.1% |
| 1922 | 0.568 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.2% |
| 1923 | 0.5748 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.2% |
| 1924 | 0.5813 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.1% |
| 1925 | 0.5869 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.0% |
| 1926 | 0.5907 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.7% |
| 1927 | 0.5924 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.3% |
| 1928 | 0.5912 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1929 | 0.5869 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.7% |
| 1930 | 0.5789 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.4% |
| 1931 | 0.5683 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.8% |
| 1932 | 0.5569 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1933 | 0.545 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 1934 | 0.5331 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.2% |
| 1935 | 0.5216 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.2% |
| 1936 | 0.5108 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 1937 | 0.5011 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1938 | 0.4929 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 1939 | 0.4864 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1940 | 0.482 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1941 | 0.5085 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.5% |
| 1942 | 0.5841 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +14.9% |
| 1943 | 0.6937 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +18.8% |
| 1944 | 0.8233 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +18.7% |
| 1945 | 0.9597 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +16.6% |
| 1946 | 1.09 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +13.7% |
| 1947 | 1.21 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +10.5% |
| 1948 | 1.29 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +7.3% |
| 1949 | 1.34 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.9% |
| 1950 | 1.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.3% |
| 1951 | 1.32 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.4% |
| 1952 | 1.26 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.0% |
| 1953 | 1.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.2% |
| 1954 | 1.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.2% |
| 1955 | 1.05 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.8% |
| 1956 | 0.9723 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.1% |
| 1957 | 0.9046 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.0% |
| 1958 | 0.8481 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.2% |
| 1959 | 0.8062 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.9% |
| 1960 | 0.7816 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.1% |
| 1961 | 0.8281 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +6.0% |
| 1962 | 0.8162 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.4% |
| 1963 | 0.8029 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.6% |
| 1964 | 0.7776 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.1% |
| 1965 | 0.7625 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1966 | 0.7172 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.9% |
| 1967 | 0.7242 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.0% |
| 1968 | 0.7133 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.5% |
| 1969 | 0.7112 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1970 | 0.6903 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.9% |
| 1971 | 0.6462 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.4% |
| 1972 | 0.6454 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1973 | 0.6351 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.6% |
| 1974 | 0.6346 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1975 | 0.6475 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.0% |
| 1976 | 0.6355 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1977 | 0.6396 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.6% |
| 1978 | 0.628 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.8% |
| 1979 | 0.6412 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 0.6215 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.1% |
| 1981 | 0.6093 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1982 | 0.5802 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.8% |
| 1983 | 0.5346 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.9% |
| 1984 | 0.512 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.2% |
| 1985 | 0.4813 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.0% |
| 1986 | 0.4605 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.3% |
| 1987 | 0.4567 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 1988 | 0.4427 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.1% |
| 1989 | 0.4428 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 0.4575 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.3% |
| 1991 | 0.4472 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.2% |
| 1992 | 0.4766 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +6.6% |
| 1993 | 0.4674 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1994 | 0.4576 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 1995 | 0.4554 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1996 | 0.4929 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +8.2% |
| 1997 | 0.4901 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1998 | 0.484 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1999 | 0.4619 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.6% |
| 2000 | 0.4302 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.9% |
| 2001 | 0.4303 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 0.4556 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.9% |
| 2003 | 0.4321 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.2% |
| 2004 | 0.4292 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 0.4285 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 0.4023 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.1% |
| 2007 | 0.4098 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 0.3966 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 0.3855 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 0.3894 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 0.3821 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 2012 | 0.384 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 0.3701 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.6% |
| 2014 | 0.3655 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 0.3414 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.6% |
| 2016 | 0.3246 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.9% |
| 2017 | 0.3512 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +8.2% |
| 2018 | 0.3453 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 0.3358 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 0.3275 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.5% |
| 2021 | 0.345 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.3% |
| 2022 | 0.319 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.5% |
| 2023 | 0.3181 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 2024 | 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.2628 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, 1.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.3083 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 0.4278 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4247 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.4143 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4027 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4259 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.4394 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4004 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4872 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.4839 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4757 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4899 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.4885 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.488 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.489 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1900s | 0.4793 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4715 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.488 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1910s | 0.504 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4709 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.5483 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1920s | 0.5789 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.5551 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.5924 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1930s | 0.5295 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4864 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.5789 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.8987 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.482 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 1.34 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.08 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.8062 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 1.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.7635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.7112 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.8281 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.6443 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.628 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.6903 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.5142 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4427 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.6215 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.4691 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4472 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4929 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.42 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.3855 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.4556 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.3589 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.3246 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.3894 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.3253 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 0.345 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 86 Somalia 0.3235 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 87 Belize 0.3218 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 88 Zimbabwe 0.3176 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 90 Mexico 0.3022 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 91 Vietnam 0.3001 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 92 Qatar 0.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is per capita nitrous oxide emissions in South Africa?
- Per capita nitrous oxide emissions in South Africa was 0.3171 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 1950.
- What is the lowest per capita nitrous oxide emissions recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2024.
- How does South Africa rank for per capita nitrous oxide emissions?
- South Africa ranks 89th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is per capita nitrous oxide emissions rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa 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
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About this data
Measured in tonnes per person of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.