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 215 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
0 tonnes since you opened this page · 19 t every second
CO₂ in 2024
583.7 Mt
583.7 million tonnes
World rank
#9
of 215 countries
Share of world
1.5%
world total 38.60 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.
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%247.5 Mt
- Oil30%176.1 Mt
- Gas22%129.3 Mt
- Cement4%20.6 Mt
- Other industry2%10.2 Mt
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 |
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).
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.
Data: Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Budget 2025), CC BY 4.0. Annual figures are fossil-fuel and industry CO₂ for 2024, the latest complete year. Live counters are estimates that assume 2024 emission rates continue. How the counter works →