Laos CO₂ Emissions
Laos emitted 24 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.06% of the global total. That ranks it 82nd of 213 countries and territories and works out at 3.14 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Laos emit?
Laos produced 24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Laos accounts for 0.06% of it.
With a population of about 7.8 million, that is 3.14 tonnes per person, 34% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Laos since 1990
Annual emissions in Laos have risen by 4,656% since 1990, from 513 thousand tonnes to 24 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 457%. 2024 is the highest year on record.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in Laos, at about 68% of the total, followed by cement at 20% and oil at 12%.
How Laos compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Laos in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | Denmark | 28.37 | 0.07% | 4.75 |
| 81 | Cuba | 24.44 | 0.06% | 2.23 |
| 82 | Laos | 24.40 | 0.06% | 3.14 |
| 83 | Jordan | 23.22 | 0.06% | 2.01 |
| 84 | Angola | 22.33 | 0.06% | 0.59 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Laos has emitted about 243 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.06% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Laos emit per year?
Laos emitted 24 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.06% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Laos?
About 3.14 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 34% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Laos rising or falling?
They have risen by 457% over the last ten years and risen by 4,656% since 1990. 2024 is the highest year on record.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Laos?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 68% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by cement at 20%.
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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