Iran CO₂ Emissions
Iran emitted 793 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 2.05% of the global total. That ranks it 7th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 8.66 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Iran emit?
Iran produced 793 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Iran accounts for 2.05% of it.
With a population of about 92 million, that is 8.66 tonnes per person, 1.8 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Iran since 1990
Annual emissions in Iran have risen by 276% since 1990, from 211 million tonnes to 793 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 23%. 2024 is the highest year on record.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Gas is the largest source of CO₂ in Iran, at about 62% of the total, followed by oil at 27% and flaring at 5%.
How Iran compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Iran in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Japan | 961.87 | 2.49% | 7.77 |
| 6 | Indonesia | 812.22 | 2.10% | 2.87 |
| 7 | Iran | 792.63 | 2.05% | 8.66 |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | 692.13 | 1.79% | 20.38 |
| 9 | South Korea | 583.68 | 1.51% | 11.29 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Iran has emitted about 21.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 1.18% of the cumulative global total, compared with 2.05% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Iran emit per year?
Iran emitted 793 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 2.05% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Iran?
About 8.66 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 1.8 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Iran rising or falling?
They have risen by 23% over the last ten years and risen by 276% since 1990. 2024 is the highest year on record.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Iran?
Gas is the largest source, responsible for about 62% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 27%.
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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