emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica
Costa Rica: emissions of air pollutants was 180,322 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
180,322 tonnes
Change on year
up 2.9%
World rank
124th
of 220 countries
All-time high
222,594 tonnes
in 2007
All-time low
3,501 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica stood at 180,322 tonnes.
The figure is up 2.9% on the previous year and down 12.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica peaked at 222,594 tonnes in 2007 and was at its lowest, 3,501 tonnes, in 1750.
Costa Rica ranks 124th of 220 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.
emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 3,501 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 3,527 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1752 | 3,554 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1753 | 3,581 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1754 | 3,608 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1755 | 3,634 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1756 | 3,661 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1757 | 3,688 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1758 | 3,714 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1759 | 3,741 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1760 | 3,767 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1761 | 3,796 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1762 | 3,825 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1763 | 3,853 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1764 | 3,882 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1765 | 3,910 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1766 | 3,939 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1767 | 3,967 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1768 | 3,996 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1769 | 4,024 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1770 | 4,052 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1771 | 4,083 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1772 | 4,113 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1773 | 4,144 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1774 | 4,174 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1775 | 4,205 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1776 | 4,235 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1777 | 4,265 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1778 | 4,296 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1779 | 4,326 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1780 | 4,356 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1781 | 4,389 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1782 | 4,421 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1783 | 4,454 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1784 | 4,486 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1785 | 4,519 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1786 | 4,551 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1787 | 4,583 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1788 | 4,615 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1789 | 4,648 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1790 | 4,680 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1791 | 4,714 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1792 | 4,749 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1793 | 4,783 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1794 | 4,818 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1795 | 4,852 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1796 | 4,887 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1797 | 4,921 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1798 | 4,955 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1799 | 4,989 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1800 | 5,024 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1801 | 5,078 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1802 | 5,133 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1803 | 5,187 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1804 | 5,241 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1805 | 5,295 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1806 | 5,349 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1807 | 5,403 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1808 | 5,457 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1809 | 5,511 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1810 | 5,565 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1811 | 5,624 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1812 | 5,684 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1813 | 5,743 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1814 | 5,802 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1815 | 5,861 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1816 | 5,920 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1817 | 5,979 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1818 | 6,038 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1819 | 6,096 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1820 | 6,155 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1821 | 6,260 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1822 | 6,364 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1823 | 6,469 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1824 | 6,573 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1825 | 6,677 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1826 | 6,781 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1827 | 6,884 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1828 | 6,988 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1829 | 7,091 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1830 | 7,193 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1831 | 7,326 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1832 | 7,459 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1833 | 7,591 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1834 | 7,723 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1835 | 7,855 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1836 | 7,986 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1837 | 8,117 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1838 | 8,248 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1839 | 8,378 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1840 | 8,508 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1841 | 8,641 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1842 | 8,773 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1843 | 8,906 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1844 | 9,038 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1845 | 9,169 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1846 | 9,300 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1847 | 9,431 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1848 | 9,561 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1849 | 9,691 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1850 | 9,796 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1851 | 9,933 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1852 | 10,071 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1853 | 10,211 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1854 | 10,352 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1855 | 10,495 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 10,644 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1857 | 10,794 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1858 | 10,946 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1859 | 11,099 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1860 | 11,254 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1861 | 11,419 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1862 | 11,586 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1863 | 11,755 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1864 | 11,926 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1865 | 12,210 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1866 | 12,510 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1867 | 12,816 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1868 | 13,128 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1869 | 13,446 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1870 | 13,770 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1871 | 14,116 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1872 | 14,467 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1873 | 14,825 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1874 | 15,190 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1875 | 15,562 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1876 | 15,953 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1877 | 16,352 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1878 | 16,757 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1879 | 17,170 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1880 | 17,590 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1881 | 18,043 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1882 | 18,503 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1883 | 18,972 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1884 | 19,939 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1885 | 20,950 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1886 | 21,551 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1887 | 22,152 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1888 | 22,752 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1889 | 23,730 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1890 | 24,802 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1891 | 25,923 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1892 | 27,044 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1893 | 27,883 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1894 | 28,721 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1895 | 29,560 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1896 | 30,362 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1897 | 31,070 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1898 | 31,967 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1899 | 32,486 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1900 | 32,723 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1901 | 34,413 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1902 | 35,813 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1903 | 36,262 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1904 | 37,648 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1905 | 39,025 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1906 | 39,428 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1907 | 40,769 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1908 | 41,157 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1909 | 42,483 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1910 | 43,141 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1911 | 43,368 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1912 | 43,596 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1913 | 43,824 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1914 | 45,472 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1915 | 45,417 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1916 | 46,597 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1917 | 46,826 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1918 | 47,996 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1919 | 49,163 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1920 | 49,376 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1921 | 50,464 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1922 | 50,600 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1923 | 51,680 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1924 | 52,758 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1925 | 53,831 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1926 | 54,769 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1927 | 54,757 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1928 | 55,694 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1929 | 56,630 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1930 | 57,564 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1931 | 58,428 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1932 | 59,293 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1933 | 60,158 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1934 | 61,026 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1935 | 61,894 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1936 | 63,215 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1937 | 65,756 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1938 | 67,309 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1939 | 69,777 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1940 | 71,258 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1941 | 72,281 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1942 | 74,259 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1943 | 75,285 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1944 | 77,267 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1945 | 79,249 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1946 | 80,840 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1947 | 83,336 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1948 | 85,782 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1949 | 88,181 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1950 | 105,138 tonnes | +19.2% |
| 1951 | 104,630 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1952 | 105,049 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1953 | 104,237 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1954 | 101,400 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1955 | 97,533 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1956 | 97,672 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1957 | 93,688 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1958 | 89,556 tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1959 | 84,192 tonnes | -6.0% |
| 1960 | 82,190 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1961 | 77,619 tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1962 | 74,362 tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1963 | 70,685 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1964 | 66,923 tonnes | -5.3% |
| 1965 | 64,404 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1966 | 68,082 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1967 | 66,562 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1968 | 69,708 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1969 | 71,416 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1970 | 73,944 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1971 | 76,907 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1972 | 81,320 tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1973 | 85,690 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1974 | 84,788 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1975 | 87,537 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1976 | 90,633 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1977 | 94,637 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1978 | 99,911 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1979 | 99,287 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1980 | 95,881 tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1981 | 92,324 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1982 | 90,046 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1983 | 92,516 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1984 | 100,833 tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1985 | 102,022 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1986 | 105,542 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1987 | 111,849 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1988 | 116,787 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1989 | 122,121 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1990 | 122,616 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1991 | 129,713 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1992 | 170,139 tonnes | +31.2% |
| 1993 | 168,568 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1994 | 167,483 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1995 | 168,929 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1996 | 170,451 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 147,015 tonnes | -13.7% |
| 1998 | 146,187 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1999 | 149,547 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 150,691 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2001 | 154,094 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 2002 | 157,450 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 171,190 tonnes | +8.7% |
| 2004 | 212,826 tonnes | +24.3% |
| 2005 | 219,997 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 2006 | 214,965 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 2007 | 222,594 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2008 | 218,572 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 213,831 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2010 | 213,375 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2011 | 209,449 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 206,385 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 2013 | 210,864 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 204,598 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 204,117 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 191,444 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 186,859 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 181,224 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 2019 | 180,922 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 161,584 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 2021 | 175,156 tonnes | +8.4% |
| 2022 | 180,322 tonnes | +2.9% |
Costa Rica compared with similar countries
- Costa Rica's 180,322 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 150,374 tonnes, 1.2× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Costa Rica's 180,322 tonnes is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 120,820 tonnes, 1.5× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | +31.2% | 129,713 tonnes | 170,139 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 3,621 tonnes | 3,501 tonnes | 3,741 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 3,896 tonnes | 3,767 tonnes | 4,024 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 4,189 tonnes | 4,052 tonnes | 4,326 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 4,502 tonnes | 4,356 tonnes | 4,648 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 4,835 tonnes | 4,680 tonnes | 4,989 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 5,268 tonnes | 5,024 tonnes | 5,511 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 5,831 tonnes | 5,565 tonnes | 6,096 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 6,624 tonnes | 6,155 tonnes | 7,091 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 7,788 tonnes | 7,193 tonnes | 8,378 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 9,102 tonnes | 8,508 tonnes | 9,691 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 10,434 tonnes | 9,796 tonnes | 11,099 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 12,205 tonnes | 11,254 tonnes | 13,446 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 15,416 tonnes | 13,770 tonnes | 17,170 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 20,418 tonnes | 17,590 tonnes | 23,730 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 28,982 tonnes | 24,802 tonnes | 32,486 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 37,972 tonnes | 32,723 tonnes | 42,483 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 45,540 tonnes | 43,141 tonnes | 49,163 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 53,056 tonnes | 49,376 tonnes | 56,630 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 62,442 tonnes | 57,564 tonnes | 69,777 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 78,774 tonnes | 71,258 tonnes | 88,181 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 98,310 tonnes | 84,192 tonnes | 105,138 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 71,195 tonnes | 64,404 tonnes | 82,190 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 87,465 tonnes | 73,944 tonnes | 99,911 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 102,992 tonnes | 90,046 tonnes | 122,121 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 154,065 tonnes | 122,616 tonnes | 170,451 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 193,621 tonnes | 150,691 tonnes | 222,594 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 198,924 tonnes | 180,922 tonnes | 213,375 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 172,354 tonnes | 161,584 tonnes | 180,322 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Costa Rica
More climate change data for Costa Rica
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 108.28 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 3,751 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 942.79 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 2,808 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 3.56 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 100.29 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 688.78 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 623.33 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 65.45 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 2.35 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Costa Rica was 180,322 tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Costa Rica?
- The highest recorded value was 222,594 tonnes in 2007.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Costa Rica?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,501 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Costa Rica rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Costa Rica ranks 124th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Costa Rica?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Costa Rica data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a pollutant produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as oil, gas, wood, and coal. CO is a harmful gas that contributes to both outdoor and indoor air pollution.