Annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Korea
South Korea: Annual carbon dioxide emissions was 267,239 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Korea, 2003–2026
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 267,239 for annual carbon dioxide emissions in 2026. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is down 92.4% on the previous year and down 69.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Korea peaked at 3.53 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 267,239, in 2026.
South Korea ranks 124th of 248 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 455,227 | — |
| 2004 | 871,270 | +91.4% |
| 2005 | 769,346 | -11.7% |
| 2006 | 655,979 | -14.7% |
| 2007 | 643,068 | -2.0% |
| 2008 | 744,222 | +15.7% |
| 2009 | 733,499 | -1.4% |
| 2010 | 739,270 | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 868,457 | +17.5% |
| 2012 | 655,496 | -24.5% |
| 2013 | 561,568 | -14.3% |
| 2014 | 765,630 | +36.3% |
| 2015 | 652,080 | -14.8% |
| 2016 | 867,730 | +33.1% |
| 2017 | 704,565 | -18.8% |
| 2018 | 1.42 million | +101.3% |
| 2019 | 852,822 | -39.9% |
| 2020 | 1.36 million | +59.4% |
| 2021 | 766,675 | -43.6% |
| 2022 | 1.33 million | +74.0% |
| 2023 | 1.32 million | -1.2% |
| 2024 | 1.34 million | +1.3% |
| 2025 | 3.53 million | +164.2% |
| 2026 | 267,239 | -92.4% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 267,239 is above the median for high income countries, which is 44,368, 6.0× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 267,239 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 162,516, 1.6× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 696,087 | 455,227 | 871,270 | 7 |
| 2010s | 808,616 | 561,568 | 1.42 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.42 million | 267,239 | 3.53 million | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More climate change data for South Korea
- Share co2 vs population 0.2146 (2100)
- Co2 gdp growth, annual growth rate -49.74 % change on previous year (2025)
- Co2 gdp pop growth, annual growth rate -273.02 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, total, annual growth rate -0.1285 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, total, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, annual growth rate -0.1214 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 0.8117 units per person (2025)
- Precipitation anomalies, annual growth rate -78.08 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population 81.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Korea?
- Annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Korea was 267,239 in 2026, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual carbon dioxide emissions recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 3.53 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest annual carbon dioxide emissions recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 267,239 in 2026.
- How does South Korea rank for annual carbon dioxide emissions?
- South Korea ranks 124th out of 248 countries with data for 2026.
- Is annual carbon dioxide emissions rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 69.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Annual carbon dioxide emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).