Annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa
South Africa: Annual carbon dioxide emissions was 28.25 million in 2026. ▼ Falling
Annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa, 2003–2026
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa is 28.25 million, measured in 2026. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is down 24.7% on the previous year and down 40.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa peaked at 77.13 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 28.25 million, in 2026.
That places South Africa 21st out of 248 groups with data for 2026, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 62.57 million | 45.35 million | 76.49 million | 7 |
| 2010s | 62.04 million | 47.79 million | 73.87 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 53.16 million | 28.25 million | 77.13 million | 7 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More climate change data for South Africa
- Share co2 vs population 0.9265 (2100)
- Population growth 1.1% (2025)
- Population, total 64.75 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 1.3% (2025)
- Urban population 41.32 million (2025)
- Urban population 63.8% (2025)
- Co2 emissions vs gdp 6.87 (2024)
- Cumulative co emissions 22.83 billion (2024)
- Co emissions per capita 6.87 (2024)
- Co2 per capita vs renewable electricity 6.87 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa?
- Annual carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa was 28.25 million in 2026, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual carbon dioxide emissions recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 77.13 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest annual carbon dioxide emissions recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 28.25 million in 2026.
- How does South Africa rank for annual carbon dioxide emissions?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 248 groups with data for 2026.
- Is annual carbon dioxide emissions rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 40.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa 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).