Live estimate

Malawi CO₂ Emissions

Malawi emitted 1.9 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 0.0% of the world total, the 157th most of 213 countries. That is 0.1 tonnes per person, 98% below the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by Malawi in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 0 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

1.9 Mt

1.9 million tonnes

World rank

#157

of 213 countries

Share of world

0.0%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

0.1 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+0.0%

2023: 1.9 Mt

Historical share

0.0%

#158 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions were roughly flat in 2024 (+0.0% on 2023). Compared with 2005, emissions are up 137%. 2024 was the highest year on record.

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	1.9
2023	1.9
2022	1.8
2021	1.7
2020	1.9
2019	1.7
2018	1.7
2017	1.2
2016	1.2
2015	1.1
2014	1.0
2013	1.1
2012	1.0
2011	1.0
2010	1.0
2009	1.0
2008	1.0
2007	0.9
2006	0.9
2005	0.8
2004	0.9
2003	0.9
2002	0.9
2001	0.8
2000	0.9

Where it comes from

Oil is the largest source of Malawi’s CO₂, at 79%.

Coal11%0.2 Mt
Oil79%1.5 Mt
Cement11%0.2 Mt

Malawi in context

0.27% vs 0.00%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

Malawi is home to 0.27% of the world’s population and produces 0.00% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is smaller than its share of people.

+171%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 171% higher than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (0.7 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

3 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, Malawi was responsible for 3.2 Mt in 2023, 70% more than the 1.9 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

218 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in Malawi came with about 218 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to an energy mix close to the world average.

0.07 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.07 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), 76% below the world average of 0.29 kg.

Figures from Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Project; latest year available for each measure.

How Malawi compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
155	Curacao	2.3 Mt	0.0%	12.3 t
156	Rwanda	2.0 Mt	0.0%	0.1 t
157	Malawi	1.9 Mt	0.0%	0.1 t
158	Malta	1.7 Mt	0.0%	3.2 t
159	South Sudan	1.7 Mt	0.0%	0.1 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does Malawi emit?

Malawi emitted 1.9 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 0.0% of global emissions. That is about 0 tonnes every second.

What are Malawi’s CO₂ emissions per person?

Malawi emits 0.1 tonnes per person, 98% below the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (21.7 million people in 2024).

Are Malawi’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions were roughly flat in 2024 (+0.0% on 2023). Compared with 2005, emissions are up 137%. 2024 was the highest year on record.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in Malawi?

Oil is the largest source, at 79% of Malawi’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (1.5 million tonnes).

What are Malawi’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 3.2 million tonnes in 2023, 70% more than the 1.9 million tonnes emitted within its borders, because it imports more carbon-intensive goods than it exports. Consumption-based accounting adds the emissions embodied in imports and subtracts those in exports.

How much has Malawi contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, Malawi has emitted about 0 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 0.0% of the world total, the 158th largest historical contribution.