Kuwait CO₂ Emissions
Kuwait emitted 130 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.34% of the global total. That ranks it 37th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 26.25 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Kuwait emit?
Kuwait produced 130 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Kuwait accounts for 0.34% of it.
With a population of about 4.9 million, that is 26.25 tonnes per person, 5.5 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Kuwait since 1990
Annual emissions in Kuwait have risen by 242% since 1990, from 38 million tonnes to 130 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 73%. Emissions peaked in 1991 at 493 million tonnes and are now 74% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Kuwait, at about 56% of the total, followed by gas at 42% and cement at 1%.
How Kuwait compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Kuwait in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Uzbekistan | 139.23 | 0.36% | 3.83 |
| 36 | Nigeria | 135.82 | 0.35% | 0.58 |
| 37 | Kuwait | 129.52 | 0.34% | 26.25 |
| 38 | Qatar | 125.81 | 0.33% | 41.27 |
| 39 | Venezuela | 116.04 | 0.30% | 4.08 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Kuwait has emitted about 3.9 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.21% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.34% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Kuwait emit per year?
Kuwait emitted 130 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.34% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Kuwait?
About 26.25 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 5.5 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Kuwait rising or falling?
They have risen by 73% over the last ten years and risen by 242% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 1991 at 493 million tonnes and are now 74% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Kuwait?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 56% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 42%.
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