Bhutan CO₂ Emissions
Bhutan emitted 1.7 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, less than 0.01% of the global total. That ranks it 160th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 2.09 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Bhutan emit?
Bhutan produced 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Bhutan accounts for less than 0.01% of it.
With a population of about 791,530, that is 2.09 tonnes per person, 56% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Bhutan since 1990
Annual emissions in Bhutan have risen by 791% since 1990, from 186 thousand tonnes to 1.7 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 24%. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 1.7 million tonnes and are now 1% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in Bhutan, at about 51% of the total, followed by oil at 30% and cement at 19%.
How Bhutan compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Bhutan in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 158 | Malta | 1.73 | <0.01% | 3.20 |
| 159 | South Sudan | 1.70 | <0.01% | 0.14 |
| 160 | Bhutan | 1.66 | <0.01% | 2.09 |
| 161 | Fiji | 1.45 | <0.01% | 1.56 |
| 162 | Sierra Leone | 1.43 | <0.01% | 0.17 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Bhutan has emitted about 30 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is less than 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with less than 0.01% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Bhutan emit per year?
Bhutan emitted 1.7 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is less than 0.01% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Bhutan?
About 2.09 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 56% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Bhutan rising or falling?
They have risen by 24% over the last ten years and risen by 791% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 1.7 million tonnes and are now 1% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Bhutan?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 51% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 30%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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