CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa
South Africa: CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled was 439.83 million tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
439.83 million tonnes
Change on year
up 0.7%
World rank
15th
of 215 countries
All-time high
494.67 million tonnes
in 2008
All-time low
21,984 tonnes
in 1884
Years of data
141
1884–2024
CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa, 1884–2024
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa stood at 439.83 million tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.7% on the previous year and down 8.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa peaked at 494.67 million tonnes in 2008 and was at its lowest, 21,984 tonnes, in 1884.
South Africa ranks 15th of 215 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1884 | 21,984 tonnes | — |
| 1885 | 36,640 tonnes | +66.7% |
| 1886 | 47,632 tonnes | +30.0% |
| 1887 | 47,632 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1888 | 80,608 tonnes | +69.2% |
| 1889 | 131,904 tonnes | +63.6% |
| 1890 | 296,784 tonnes | +125.0% |
| 1891 | 296,784 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1892 | 479,984 tonnes | +61.7% |
| 1893 | 1.80 million tonnes | +274.8% |
| 1894 | 2.43 million tonnes | +35.2% |
| 1895 | 3.34 million tonnes | +37.2% |
| 1896 | 4.26 million tonnes | +27.6% |
| 1897 | 4.78 million tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1898 | 6.05 million tonnes | +26.6% |
| 1899 | 5.52 million tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1900 | 2.33 million tonnes | -57.8% |
| 1901 | 3.91 million tonnes | +67.8% |
| 1902 | 5.83 million tonnes | +49.0% |
| 1903 | 7.78 million tonnes | +33.6% |
| 1904 | 8.77 million tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1905 | 10.03 million tonnes | +14.4% |
| 1906 | 11.46 million tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1907 | 12.65 million tonnes | +10.4% |
| 1908 | 13.01 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1909 | 14.97 million tonnes | +15.1% |
| 1910 | 16.98 million tonnes | +13.4% |
| 1911 | 16.34 million tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1912 | 17.35 million tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1913 | 18.98 million tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1914 | 18.40 million tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1915 | 18.51 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1916 | 21.81 million tonnes | +17.8% |
| 1917 | 23.34 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1918 | 22.22 million tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1919 | 23.14 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1920 | 25.67 million tonnes | +10.9% |
| 1921 | 25.41 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1922 | 21.79 million tonnes | -14.3% |
| 1923 | 26.44 million tonnes | +21.4% |
| 1924 | 27.78 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1925 | 28.95 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1926 | 30.43 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1927 | 29.56 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1928 | 29.62 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1929 | 30.77 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1930 | 28.72 million tonnes | -6.7% |
| 1931 | 25.57 million tonnes | -11.0% |
| 1932 | 23.46 million tonnes | -8.3% |
| 1933 | 25.33 million tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1934 | 28.87 million tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1935 | 32.16 million tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1936 | 35.25 million tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1937 | 36.82 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1938 | 38.70 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1939 | 40.16 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1940 | 41.52 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1941 | 44.33 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1942 | 48.42 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1943 | 48.76 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1944 | 54.57 million tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1945 | 55.87 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1946 | 56.04 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1947 | 55.83 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1948 | 57.10 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1949 | 60.59 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1950 | 60.91 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1951 | 65.07 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1952 | 70.83 million tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1953 | 70.97 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1954 | 73.88 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1955 | 82.93 million tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1956 | 87.25 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1957 | 89.64 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1958 | 96.25 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1959 | 94.47 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1960 | 97.85 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1961 | 102.12 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1962 | 105.67 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1963 | 109.72 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1964 | 119.55 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1965 | 128.14 million tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1966 | 128.24 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1967 | 133.76 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1968 | 137.95 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1969 | 143.14 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1970 | 149.62 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1971 | 168.41 million tonnes | +12.6% |
| 1972 | 171.56 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1973 | 173.35 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1974 | 176.55 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1975 | 185.00 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1976 | 192.91 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1977 | 199.74 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1978 | 201.88 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1979 | 218.67 million tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1980 | 228.20 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1981 | 257.08 million tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1982 | 280.44 million tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1983 | 291.91 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1984 | 315.60 million tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1985 | 323.87 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 330.50 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1987 | 328.67 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1988 | 342.66 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1989 | 340.71 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1990 | 312.93 million tonnes | -8.2% |
| 1991 | 326.03 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1992 | 301.33 million tonnes | -7.6% |
| 1993 | 320.35 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1994 | 338.70 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1995 | 361.71 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1996 | 363.73 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 385.21 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1998 | 377.27 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1999 | 374.87 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 378.33 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 371.60 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 2002 | 356.50 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 2003 | 404.41 million tonnes | +13.4% |
| 2004 | 449.32 million tonnes | +11.1% |
| 2005 | 416.20 million tonnes | -7.4% |
| 2006 | 446.74 million tonnes | +7.3% |
| 2007 | 465.03 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 2008 | 494.67 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 2009 | 474.51 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 2010 | 467.35 million tonnes | -1.5% |
| 2011 | 474.27 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 461.44 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 2013 | 456.19 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 2014 | 481.64 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 2015 | 457.47 million tonnes | -5.0% |
| 2016 | 457.05 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 440.01 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 2018 | 453.77 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 470.73 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 435.30 million tonnes | -7.5% |
| 2021 | 439.46 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 428.78 million tonnes | -2.4% |
| 2023 | 436.60 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2024 | 439.83 million tonnes | +0.7% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 439.83 million tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 20.35 million tonnes, 21.6× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 439.83 million tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.96 million tonnes, 88.7× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1893 | +274.8% | 479,984 tonnes | 1.80 million tonnes |
| 1890 | +125.0% | 131,904 tonnes | 296,784 tonnes |
| 1888 | +69.2% | 47,632 tonnes | 80,608 tonnes |
| 1901 | +67.8% | 2.33 million tonnes | 3.91 million tonnes |
| 1885 | +66.7% | 21,984 tonnes | 36,640 tonnes |
| 1900 | -57.8% | 5.52 million tonnes | 2.33 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 61,067 tonnes | 21,984 tonnes | 131,904 tonnes | 6 |
| 1890s | 2.92 million tonnes | 296,784 tonnes | 6.05 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 9.07 million tonnes | 2.33 million tonnes | 14.97 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 19.71 million tonnes | 16.34 million tonnes | 23.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 27.64 million tonnes | 21.79 million tonnes | 30.77 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 31.50 million tonnes | 23.46 million tonnes | 40.16 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 52.30 million tonnes | 41.52 million tonnes | 60.59 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 79.22 million tonnes | 60.91 million tonnes | 96.25 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 120.61 million tonnes | 97.85 million tonnes | 143.14 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 183.77 million tonnes | 149.62 million tonnes | 218.67 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 303.96 million tonnes | 228.20 million tonnes | 342.66 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 346.21 million tonnes | 301.33 million tonnes | 385.21 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 425.73 million tonnes | 356.50 million tonnes | 494.67 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 461.99 million tonnes | 440.01 million tonnes | 481.64 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 436.00 million tonnes | 428.78 million tonnes | 439.83 million tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More climate change data for South Africa
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 717.27 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 34,365 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 11,741 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 22,624 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 44.31 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 807.99 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 5,495 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 5,119 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 376.6 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 19.32 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa?
- Co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled in South Africa was 439.83 million tonnes in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 494.67 million tonnes in 2008.
- What is the lowest co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 21,984 tonnes in 1884.
- How does South Africa rank for co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled?
- South Africa ranks 15th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is co₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change, gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 141 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change with 80 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.
Computed from
- CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land-use change with 80 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.