CO₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: CO₂ emissions by fuel or industry was 451.46 million tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
451.46 million tonnes
Change on year
up 1.7%
World rank
4th
of 215 countries
All-time high
451.46 million tonnes
in 2024
All-time low
0 tonnes
in 1951
Years of data
89
1936–2024
CO₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia, 1936–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, co₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia stood at 451.46 million tonnes. That is the highest value across all 89 years on record.
The figure is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 27.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, co₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia peaked at 451.46 million tonnes in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0 tonnes, in 1951.
That places Saudi Arabia 4th out of 215 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
CO₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | 7,328 tonnes | — |
| 1937 | 25,648 tonnes | +250.0% |
| 1938 | 205,184 tonnes | +700.0% |
| 1939 | 1.65 million tonnes | +705.4% |
| 1940 | 2.15 million tonnes | +29.9% |
| 1941 | 1.81 million tonnes | -15.7% |
| 1942 | 1.90 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1943 | 1.99 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1944 | 3.26 million tonnes | +63.6% |
| 1945 | 8.81 million tonnes | +170.2% |
| 1946 | 25.15 million tonnes | +185.4% |
| 1947 | 37.73 million tonnes | +50.0% |
| 1948 | 17.94 million tonnes | -52.4% |
| 1949 | 18.38 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1950 | 5.14 million tonnes | -72.0% |
| 1951 | 0 tonnes | -100.0% |
| 1952 | 0 tonnes | — |
| 1953 | 476,320 tonnes | — |
| 1954 | 1.24 million tonnes | +160.0% |
| 1955 | 2.11 million tonnes | +70.7% |
| 1956 | 1.63 million tonnes | -22.9% |
| 1957 | 2.10 million tonnes | +28.8% |
| 1958 | 2.00 million tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1959 | 1.82 million tonnes | -9.0% |
| 1960 | 2.63 million tonnes | +44.8% |
| 1961 | 3.52 million tonnes | +33.7% |
| 1962 | 6.14 million tonnes | +74.5% |
| 1963 | 6.81 million tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1964 | 5.68 million tonnes | -16.7% |
| 1965 | 2.12 million tonnes | -62.7% |
| 1966 | 4.11 million tonnes | +93.9% |
| 1967 | 4.46 million tonnes | +8.7% |
| 1968 | 5.43 million tonnes | +21.7% |
| 1969 | 8.04 million tonnes | +48.0% |
| 1970 | 16.39 million tonnes | +103.9% |
| 1971 | 21.13 million tonnes | +29.0% |
| 1972 | 17.22 million tonnes | -18.5% |
| 1973 | 20.55 million tonnes | +19.4% |
| 1974 | 21.96 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1975 | 25.55 million tonnes | +16.3% |
| 1976 | 27.84 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1977 | 44.35 million tonnes | +59.3% |
| 1978 | 50.36 million tonnes | +13.6% |
| 1979 | 70.56 million tonnes | +40.1% |
| 1980 | 72.07 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1981 | 81.13 million tonnes | +12.6% |
| 1982 | 96.11 million tonnes | +18.5% |
| 1983 | 117.07 million tonnes | +21.8% |
| 1984 | 109.01 million tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1985 | 123.37 million tonnes | +13.2% |
| 1986 | 147.11 million tonnes | +19.2% |
| 1987 | 131.01 million tonnes | -10.9% |
| 1988 | 134.77 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1989 | 133.41 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1990 | 111.40 million tonnes | -16.5% |
| 1991 | 170.68 million tonnes | +53.2% |
| 1992 | 194.70 million tonnes | +14.1% |
| 1993 | 212.79 million tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1994 | 195.16 million tonnes | -8.3% |
| 1995 | 178.45 million tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1996 | 169.34 million tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1997 | 124.00 million tonnes | -26.8% |
| 1998 | 114.92 million tonnes | -7.3% |
| 1999 | 135.14 million tonnes | +17.6% |
| 2000 | 198.37 million tonnes | +46.8% |
| 2001 | 205.00 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 2002 | 219.46 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2003 | 216.84 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 263.20 million tonnes | +21.4% |
| 2005 | 256.69 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2006 | 283.77 million tonnes | +10.5% |
| 2007 | 258.47 million tonnes | -8.9% |
| 2008 | 288.82 million tonnes | +11.7% |
| 2009 | 326.07 million tonnes | +12.9% |
| 2010 | 359.64 million tonnes | +10.3% |
| 2011 | 335.71 million tonnes | -6.7% |
| 2012 | 386.22 million tonnes | +15.0% |
| 2013 | 359.38 million tonnes | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 355.28 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 390.53 million tonnes | +9.9% |
| 2016 | 395.72 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 393.12 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2018 | 391.61 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 446.99 million tonnes | +14.1% |
| 2020 | 388.28 million tonnes | -13.1% |
| 2021 | 420.65 million tonnes | +8.3% |
| 2022 | 435.51 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 443.74 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 451.46 million tonnes | +1.7% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 451.46 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 10.73 million tonnes, 42.1× the median. (74 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 451.46 million tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 20.25 million tonnes, 22.3× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where CO₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | +705.4% | 205,184 tonnes | 1.65 million tonnes |
| 1938 | +700.0% | 25,648 tonnes | 205,184 tonnes |
| 1937 | +250.0% | 7,328 tonnes | 25,648 tonnes |
| 1946 | +185.4% | 8.81 million tonnes | 25.15 million tonnes |
| 1945 | +170.2% | 3.26 million tonnes | 8.81 million tonnes |
| 1954 | +160.0% | 476,320 tonnes | 1.24 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 472,655 tonnes | 7,328 tonnes | 1.65 million tonnes | 4 |
| 1940s | 11.91 million tonnes | 1.81 million tonnes | 37.73 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.65 million tonnes | 0 tonnes | 5.14 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 4.89 million tonnes | 2.12 million tonnes | 8.04 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 31.59 million tonnes | 16.39 million tonnes | 70.56 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 114.51 million tonnes | 72.07 million tonnes | 147.11 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 160.66 million tonnes | 111.40 million tonnes | 212.79 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 251.67 million tonnes | 198.37 million tonnes | 326.07 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 381.42 million tonnes | 335.71 million tonnes | 446.99 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 427.93 million tonnes | 388.28 million tonnes | 451.46 million tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More climate change data for Saudi Arabia
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 134.54 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 4,043 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 1,830 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 2,213 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 6.91 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 79.03 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 1,017 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 1,002 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 15.05 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 3.78 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is co₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia?
- Co₂ emissions by fuel or industry in Saudi Arabia was 451.46 million tonnes in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest co₂ emissions by fuel or industry recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 451.46 million tonnes in 2024.
- What is the lowest co₂ emissions by fuel or industry recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 tonnes in 1951.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for co₂ emissions by fuel or industry?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 4th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is co₂ emissions by fuel or industry rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of CO₂ emissions by fuel or industry. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 89 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from oil, measured in tonnes.