Malta CO₂ Emissions
Malta emitted 1.7 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, less than 0.01% of the global total. That ranks it 158th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 3.2 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Malta emit?
Malta produced 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Malta accounts for less than 0.01% of it.
With a population of about 539,612, that is 3.2 tonnes per person, 32% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Malta since 1990
Annual emissions in Malta have fallen by 29% since 1990, from 2.4 million tonnes to 1.7 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 28%. Emissions peaked in 2003 at 3.0 million tonnes and are now 42% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Malta, at about 58% of the total, followed by gas at 42%.
How Malta compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Malta in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 156 | Rwanda | 2.03 | 0.01% | 0.14 |
| 157 | Malawi | 1.88 | 0.01% | 0.09 |
| 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 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Malta has emitted about 111 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with less than 0.01% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Malta emit per year?
Malta 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 Malta?
About 3.2 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 32% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Malta rising or falling?
They have fallen by 28% over the last ten years and fallen by 29% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2003 at 3.0 million tonnes and are now 42% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Malta?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 58% 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.
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