North Korea CO₂ Emissions
North Korea emitted 63 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.16% of the global total. That ranks it 52nd of 213 countries and territories and works out at 2.36 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does North Korea emit?
North Korea produced 63 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so North Korea accounts for 0.16% of it.
With a population of about 26 million, that is 2.36 tonnes per person, 50% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in North Korea since 1990
Annual emissions in North Korea have fallen by 47% since 1990, from 118 million tonnes to 63 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 57%. Emissions peaked in 1989 at 209 million tonnes and are now 70% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in North Korea, at about 91% of the total, followed by oil at 4% and cement at 4%.
How North Korea compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to North Korea in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Romania | 68.55 | 0.18% | 3.60 |
| 51 | Libya | 65.26 | 0.17% | 8.84 |
| 52 | North Korea | 62.55 | 0.16% | 2.36 |
| 53 | Austria | 56.37 | 0.15% | 6.18 |
| 54 | Belarus | 55.82 | 0.14% | 6.16 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, North Korea has emitted about 5.5 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.3% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.16% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does North Korea emit per year?
North Korea emitted 63 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.16% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in North Korea?
About 2.36 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 50% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in North Korea rising or falling?
They have risen by 57% over the last ten years and fallen by 47% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 1989 at 209 million tonnes and are now 70% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in North Korea?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 91% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 4%.
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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