South Korea vs United States: Energy use per capita vs. CO₂ emissions per capita
South Korea
11.36
in 2024
United States
13.62
in 2024
South Korea rank
17th
United States rank
15th
Energy use per capita vs. CO₂ emissions per capita over time
- South Korea
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 13.62 against 11.36 in South Korea, a difference of 2.26.
That makes United States's figure about 1.2 times South Korea's.
Across all 55 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
South Korea ranks 17th and United States ranks 15th of 203 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Korea | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 2.62 | 22.17 | 19.56 | United States |
| 1980s | 4.51 | 19.95 | 15.44 | United States |
| 1990s | 8.29 | 20.1 | 11.81 | United States |
| 2000s | 10.69 | 19.63 | 8.95 | United States |
| 2010s | 12.74 | 16.12 | 3.38 | United States |
| 2020s | 11.78 | 13.91 | 2.13 | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher energy use per capita vs. co₂ emissions per capita, South Korea or United States?
- United States, at 13.62 against 11.36 in South Korea as of 2024.
- What is the difference in energy use per capita vs. co₂ emissions per capita between South Korea and United States?
- 2.26, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Korea and United States?
- 55 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2024.
- How do South Korea and United States rank globally for energy use per capita vs. co₂ emissions per capita?
- South Korea ranks 17th and United States ranks 15th of 203 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Joint Research Centre (European Commission) and International Energy Agency (IEA), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as Energy use per capita vs. CO₂ emissions per capita. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Average energy consumption per capita is measured in kilowatt-hours per person. Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per capita are measured in tonnes per person.