Iraq CO₂ Emissions
Iraq emitted 234 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.61% of the global total. That ranks it 27th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 5.07 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Iraq emit?
Iraq produced 234 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Iraq accounts for 0.61% of it.
With a population of about 46 million, that is 5.07 tonnes per person, close to the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Iraq since 1990
Annual emissions in Iraq have risen by 370% since 1990, from 50 million tonnes to 234 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 70%. 2024 is the highest year on record.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Iraq, at about 63% of the total, followed by gas at 17% and flaring at 15%.
How Iraq compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Iraq in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Taiwan | 262.35 | 0.68% | 11.30 |
| 26 | Egypt | 258.37 | 0.67% | 2.22 |
| 27 | Iraq | 233.64 | 0.61% | 5.07 |
| 28 | United Arab Emirates | 221.99 | 0.57% | 20.13 |
| 29 | Spain | 220.34 | 0.57% | 4.60 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Iraq has emitted about 5.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.29% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.61% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Iraq emit per year?
Iraq emitted 234 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.61% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Iraq?
About 5.07 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is close to the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Iraq rising or falling?
They have risen by 70% over the last ten years and risen by 370% since 1990. 2024 is the highest year on record.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Iraq?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 63% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 17%.
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.
From countries to companies. Work out your own business footprint from four figures on your bills.
Open the calculator