Live estimate

South Korea CO₂ Emissions

South Korea emitted 583.7 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 1.5% of the world total, the 9th most of 213 countries. That is 11.3 tonnes per person, 2.4× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by South Korea in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 19 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

583.7 Mt

583.7 million tonnes

World rank

of 213 countries

Share of world

1.5%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

11.3 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

-0.9%

2023: 589.2 Mt

Historical share

1.1%

#16 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions fell 0.9% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 17%. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 670.2 million tonnes and are now 13% lower.

250500750

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	583.7
2023	589.2
2022	606.9
2021	616.1
2020	597.6
2019	646.1
2018	670.2
2017	654.5
2016	637.9
2015	634.2
2014	629.4
2013	634.6
2012	627.9
2011	623.4
2010	594.3
2009	537.8
2008	532.7
2007	521.7
2006	503.5
2005	498.7
2004	491.4
2003	485.2
2002	476.1
2001	455.6
2000	440.0

Where it comes from

Coal is the largest source of South Korea’s CO₂, at 42%.

Coal42%248 Mt
Oil30%176 Mt
Gas22%129 Mt
Cement4%20.6 Mt
Other industry2%10.2 Mt

South Korea in context

0.63% vs 1.5%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

South Korea is home to 0.63% of the world’s population and produces 1.5% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is larger than its share of people.

+133%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 133% higher than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (250.5 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

709 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, South Korea was responsible for 708.9 Mt in 2023, 20% more than the 589.2 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

161 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in South Korea came with about 161 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a cleaner energy mix than the world average.

0.28 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.28 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), close to 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 South Korea compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
7	Iran	792.6 Mt	2.0%	8.7 t
8	Saudi Arabia	692.1 Mt	1.8%	20.4 t
9	South Korea	583.7 Mt	1.5%	11.3 t
10	Germany	572.3 Mt	1.5%	6.8 t
11	Canada	533.3 Mt	1.4%	13.4 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does South Korea emit?

South Korea emitted 583.7 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 1.5% of global emissions. That is about 19 tonnes every second.

What are South Korea’s CO₂ emissions per person?

South Korea emits 11.3 tonnes per person, 2.4× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (51.7 million people in 2024).

Are South Korea’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions fell 0.9% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 17%. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 670.2 million tonnes and are now 13% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in South Korea?

Coal is the largest source, at 42% of South Korea’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (247.5 million tonnes).

What are South Korea’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 708.9 million tonnes in 2023, 20% more than the 589.2 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 South Korea contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, South Korea has emitted about 21 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 1.1% of the world total, the 16th largest historical contribution.