South Korea CO₂ Emissions
South Korea emitted 584 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 1.51% of the global total. That ranks it 9th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 11.29 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does South Korea emit?
South Korea produced 584 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so South Korea accounts for 1.51% of it.
With a population of about 52 million, that is 11.29 tonnes per person, 2.4 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in South Korea since 1990
Annual emissions in South Korea have risen by 133% since 1990, from 251 million tonnes to 584 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 7%. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 670 million tonnes and are now 13% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in South Korea, at about 42% of the total, followed by oil at 30% and gas at 22%.
How South Korea compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to South 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Iran | 792.63 | 2.05% | 8.66 |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | 692.13 | 1.79% | 20.38 |
| 9 | South Korea | 583.68 | 1.51% | 11.29 |
| 10 | Germany | 572.32 | 1.48% | 6.77 |
| 11 | Canada | 533.34 | 1.38% | 13.42 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, South Korea has emitted about 20.7 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 1.12% of the cumulative global total, compared with 1.51% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does South Korea emit per year?
South Korea emitted 584 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 1.51% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in South Korea?
About 11.29 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 2.4 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in South Korea rising or falling?
They have fallen by 7% over the last ten years and risen by 133% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 670 million tonnes and are now 13% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in South Korea?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 42% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 30%.
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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