Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP was 0.119 kilograms per international-$ in 2022. ▼ Falling
Latest (2022)
0.119 kilograms per international-$
Change on year
down 12.7%
World rank
135th
of 164 countries
All-time high
1.48 kilograms per international-$
in 1883
All-time low
0.119 kilograms per international-$
in 2022
Years of data
203
1820–2022
Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP in United Kingdom, 1820–2022
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025); Bolt and van Zanden – Maddison Project Database 2023 – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in kilograms per international-$.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 0.119 kilograms per international-$ for carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 203 years on record.
The figure is down 12.7% on the previous year and down 45.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in United Kingdom peaked at 1.48 kilograms per international-$ in 1883 and was at its lowest, 0.119 kilograms per international-$, in 2022.
That places United Kingdom 135th out of 164 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 203 years of available data.
Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | kilograms per international-$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 0.6062 kilograms per international-$ | — |
| 1821 | 0.6101 kilograms per international-$ | +0.6% |
| 1822 | 0.6228 kilograms per international-$ | +2.1% |
| 1823 | 0.6283 kilograms per international-$ | +0.9% |
| 1824 | 0.6152 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1825 | 0.6202 kilograms per international-$ | +0.8% |
| 1826 | 0.6622 kilograms per international-$ | +6.8% |
| 1827 | 0.6391 kilograms per international-$ | -3.5% |
| 1828 | 0.6454 kilograms per international-$ | +1.0% |
| 1829 | 0.6485 kilograms per international-$ | +0.5% |
| 1830 | 0.7903 kilograms per international-$ | +21.9% |
| 1831 | 0.7445 kilograms per international-$ | -5.8% |
| 1832 | 0.7017 kilograms per international-$ | -5.8% |
| 1833 | 0.69 kilograms per international-$ | -1.7% |
| 1834 | 0.7177 kilograms per international-$ | +4.0% |
| 1835 | 0.7347 kilograms per international-$ | +2.4% |
| 1836 | 0.7758 kilograms per international-$ | +5.6% |
| 1837 | 0.7513 kilograms per international-$ | -3.2% |
| 1838 | 0.7081 kilograms per international-$ | -5.8% |
| 1839 | 0.7374 kilograms per international-$ | +4.1% |
| 1840 | 0.7518 kilograms per international-$ | +2.0% |
| 1841 | 0.7734 kilograms per international-$ | +2.9% |
| 1842 | 0.8202 kilograms per international-$ | +6.0% |
| 1843 | 0.815 kilograms per international-$ | -0.6% |
| 1844 | 0.7966 kilograms per international-$ | -2.3% |
| 1845 | 0.8111 kilograms per international-$ | +1.8% |
| 1846 | 0.7793 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 1847 | 0.8553 kilograms per international-$ | +9.7% |
| 1848 | 0.9027 kilograms per international-$ | +5.5% |
| 1849 | 0.9675 kilograms per international-$ | +7.2% |
| 1850 | 1.04 kilograms per international-$ | +7.4% |
| 1851 | 0.965 kilograms per international-$ | -7.1% |
| 1852 | 0.9261 kilograms per international-$ | -4.0% |
| 1853 | 0.8943 kilograms per international-$ | -3.4% |
| 1854 | 1.03 kilograms per international-$ | +15.4% |
| 1855 | 0.9898 kilograms per international-$ | -4.1% |
| 1856 | 0.9988 kilograms per international-$ | +0.9% |
| 1857 | 0.9725 kilograms per international-$ | -2.6% |
| 1858 | 0.9723 kilograms per international-$ | -0.0% |
| 1859 | 1.04 kilograms per international-$ | +6.8% |
| 1860 | 1.14 kilograms per international-$ | +10.1% |
| 1861 | 1.2 kilograms per international-$ | +4.6% |
| 1862 | 1.21 kilograms per international-$ | +1.1% |
| 1863 | 1.18 kilograms per international-$ | -2.7% |
| 1864 | 1.24 kilograms per international-$ | +5.0% |
| 1865 | 1.28 kilograms per international-$ | +3.6% |
| 1866 | 1.28 kilograms per international-$ | +0.1% |
| 1867 | 1.31 kilograms per international-$ | +2.3% |
| 1868 | 1.23 kilograms per international-$ | -6.4% |
| 1869 | 1.28 kilograms per international-$ | +4.0% |
| 1870 | 1.25 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1871 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | +5.6% |
| 1872 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | +5.2% |
| 1873 | 1.41 kilograms per international-$ | +1.5% |
| 1874 | 1.35 kilograms per international-$ | -4.3% |
| 1875 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | +3.1% |
| 1876 | 1.37 kilograms per international-$ | -1.1% |
| 1877 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | +0.9% |
| 1878 | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1879 | 1.37 kilograms per international-$ | +1.1% |
| 1880 | 1.43 kilograms per international-$ | +4.2% |
| 1881 | 1.45 kilograms per international-$ | +1.6% |
| 1882 | 1.43 kilograms per international-$ | -1.9% |
| 1883 | 1.48 kilograms per international-$ | +3.4% |
| 1884 | 1.44 kilograms per international-$ | -2.7% |
| 1885 | 1.43 kilograms per international-$ | -0.6% |
| 1886 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | -2.3% |
| 1887 | 1.38 kilograms per international-$ | -1.2% |
| 1888 | 1.37 kilograms per international-$ | -0.4% |
| 1889 | 1.35 kilograms per international-$ | -1.6% |
| 1890 | 1.38 kilograms per international-$ | +1.9% |
| 1891 | 1.41 kilograms per international-$ | +2.2% |
| 1892 | 1.41 kilograms per international-$ | +0.5% |
| 1893 | 1.27 kilograms per international-$ | -10.3% |
| 1894 | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | +7.4% |
| 1895 | 1.33 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1896 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | -1.2% |
| 1897 | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | +1.4% |
| 1898 | 1.28 kilograms per international-$ | -4.3% |
| 1899 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | +3.0% |
| 1900 | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | +2.1% |
| 1901 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | -2.0% |
| 1902 | 1.33 kilograms per international-$ | +1.4% |
| 1903 | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | +2.0% |
| 1904 | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | -0.0% |
| 1905 | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | -1.5% |
| 1906 | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | +0.3% |
| 1907 | 1.38 kilograms per international-$ | +2.6% |
| 1908 | 1.4 kilograms per international-$ | +1.8% |
| 1909 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | -1.3% |
| 1910 | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | -2.2% |
| 1911 | 1.35 kilograms per international-$ | -0.3% |
| 1912 | 1.26 kilograms per international-$ | -6.6% |
| 1913 | 1.33 kilograms per international-$ | +5.4% |
| 1914 | 1.29 kilograms per international-$ | -2.9% |
| 1915 | 1.22 kilograms per international-$ | -5.3% |
| 1916 | 1.25 kilograms per international-$ | +2.5% |
| 1917 | 1.24 kilograms per international-$ | -1.0% |
| 1918 | 1.16 kilograms per international-$ | -6.4% |
| 1919 | 1.29 kilograms per international-$ | +11.0% |
| 1920 | 1.46 kilograms per international-$ | +13.5% |
| 1921 | 1.11 kilograms per international-$ | -24.1% |
| 1922 | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | +20.8% |
| 1923 | 1.38 kilograms per international-$ | +2.8% |
| 1924 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | +0.6% |
| 1925 | 1.25 kilograms per international-$ | -10.0% |
| 1926 | 0.7336 kilograms per international-$ | -41.2% |
| 1927 | 1.25 kilograms per international-$ | +70.6% |
| 1928 | 1.17 kilograms per international-$ | -6.7% |
| 1929 | 1.19 kilograms per international-$ | +2.2% |
| 1930 | 1.16 kilograms per international-$ | -3.0% |
| 1931 | 1.14 kilograms per international-$ | -1.4% |
| 1932 | 1.09 kilograms per international-$ | -4.5% |
| 1933 | 1.05 kilograms per international-$ | -3.4% |
| 1934 | 1.07 kilograms per international-$ | +1.3% |
| 1935 | 1.04 kilograms per international-$ | -2.4% |
| 1936 | 1.05 kilograms per international-$ | +1.0% |
| 1937 | 1.05 kilograms per international-$ | -0.3% |
| 1938 | 0.9966 kilograms per international-$ | -5.0% |
| 1939 | 0.9901 kilograms per international-$ | -0.7% |
| 1940 | 0.9489 kilograms per international-$ | -4.2% |
| 1941 | 0.8692 kilograms per international-$ | -8.4% |
| 1942 | 0.8366 kilograms per international-$ | -3.8% |
| 1943 | 0.814 kilograms per international-$ | -2.7% |
| 1944 | 0.8464 kilograms per international-$ | +4.0% |
| 1945 | 0.8191 kilograms per international-$ | -3.2% |
| 1946 | 0.8777 kilograms per international-$ | +7.2% |
| 1947 | 0.9308 kilograms per international-$ | +6.1% |
| 1948 | 0.9362 kilograms per international-$ | +0.6% |
| 1949 | 0.9098 kilograms per international-$ | -2.8% |
| 1950 | 0.9004 kilograms per international-$ | -1.0% |
| 1951 | 0.9524 kilograms per international-$ | +5.8% |
| 1952 | 0.9253 kilograms per international-$ | -2.8% |
| 1953 | 0.91 kilograms per international-$ | -1.6% |
| 1954 | 0.8954 kilograms per international-$ | -1.6% |
| 1955 | 0.9017 kilograms per international-$ | +0.7% |
| 1956 | 0.8869 kilograms per international-$ | -1.6% |
| 1957 | 0.8677 kilograms per international-$ | -2.2% |
| 1958 | 0.8477 kilograms per international-$ | -2.3% |
| 1959 | 0.8007 kilograms per international-$ | -5.5% |
| 1960 | 0.8091 kilograms per international-$ | +1.1% |
| 1961 | 0.7895 kilograms per international-$ | -2.4% |
| 1962 | 0.7873 kilograms per international-$ | -0.3% |
| 1963 | 0.7716 kilograms per international-$ | -2.0% |
| 1964 | 0.7382 kilograms per international-$ | -4.3% |
| 1965 | 0.7363 kilograms per international-$ | -0.3% |
| 1966 | 0.7179 kilograms per international-$ | -2.5% |
| 1967 | 0.6725 kilograms per international-$ | -6.3% |
| 1968 | 0.662 kilograms per international-$ | -1.6% |
| 1969 | 0.6736 kilograms per international-$ | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 0.6835 kilograms per international-$ | +1.5% |
| 1971 | 0.6773 kilograms per international-$ | -0.9% |
| 1972 | 0.6419 kilograms per international-$ | -5.2% |
| 1973 | 0.6122 kilograms per international-$ | -4.6% |
| 1974 | 0.5807 kilograms per international-$ | -5.1% |
| 1975 | 0.5683 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1976 | 0.5514 kilograms per international-$ | -3.0% |
| 1977 | 0.545 kilograms per international-$ | -1.2% |
| 1978 | 0.5265 kilograms per international-$ | -3.4% |
| 1979 | 0.5461 kilograms per international-$ | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 0.4989 kilograms per international-$ | -8.7% |
| 1981 | 0.4893 kilograms per international-$ | -1.9% |
| 1982 | 0.4712 kilograms per international-$ | -3.7% |
| 1983 | 0.4528 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 1984 | 0.4285 kilograms per international-$ | -5.4% |
| 1985 | 0.4378 kilograms per international-$ | +2.2% |
| 1986 | 0.426 kilograms per international-$ | -2.7% |
| 1987 | 0.4089 kilograms per international-$ | -4.0% |
| 1988 | 0.3885 kilograms per international-$ | -5.0% |
| 1989 | 0.3877 kilograms per international-$ | -0.2% |
| 1990 | 0.3998 kilograms per international-$ | +3.1% |
| 1991 | 0.4095 kilograms per international-$ | +2.4% |
| 1992 | 0.3981 kilograms per international-$ | -2.8% |
| 1993 | 0.3795 kilograms per international-$ | -4.7% |
| 1994 | 0.3621 kilograms per international-$ | -4.6% |
| 1995 | 0.3487 kilograms per international-$ | -3.7% |
| 1996 | 0.3527 kilograms per international-$ | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 0.3283 kilograms per international-$ | -6.9% |
| 1998 | 0.3218 kilograms per international-$ | -2.0% |
| 1999 | 0.308 kilograms per international-$ | -4.3% |
| 2000 | 0.3011 kilograms per international-$ | -2.2% |
| 2001 | 0.298 kilograms per international-$ | -1.0% |
| 2002 | 0.2824 kilograms per international-$ | -5.2% |
| 2003 | 0.2788 kilograms per international-$ | -1.3% |
| 2004 | 0.2731 kilograms per international-$ | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 0.2638 kilograms per international-$ | -3.4% |
| 2006 | 0.2566 kilograms per international-$ | -2.7% |
| 2007 | 0.2468 kilograms per international-$ | -3.8% |
| 2008 | 0.242 kilograms per international-$ | -1.9% |
| 2009 | 0.2297 kilograms per international-$ | -5.1% |
| 2010 | 0.2336 kilograms per international-$ | +1.7% |
| 2011 | 0.2113 kilograms per international-$ | -9.6% |
| 2012 | 0.2162 kilograms per international-$ | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 0.208 kilograms per international-$ | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 0.1852 kilograms per international-$ | -11.0% |
| 2015 | 0.1741 kilograms per international-$ | -6.0% |
| 2016 | 0.1611 kilograms per international-$ | -7.5% |
| 2017 | 0.1525 kilograms per international-$ | -5.3% |
| 2018 | 0.147 kilograms per international-$ | -3.6% |
| 2019 | 0.139 kilograms per international-$ | -5.5% |
| 2020 | 0.1397 kilograms per international-$ | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 0.1363 kilograms per international-$ | -2.5% |
| 2022 | 0.119 kilograms per international-$ | -12.7% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 0.119 kilograms per international-$ is below the median for high income countries, which is 0.1825 kilograms per international-$, 65% of the median. (54 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 0.119 kilograms per international-$ is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 0.1899 kilograms per international-$, 63% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP in United Kingdom changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | +70.6% | 0.7336 kilograms per international-$ | 1.25 kilograms per international-$ |
| 1926 | -41.2% | 1.25 kilograms per international-$ | 0.7336 kilograms per international-$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1820s | 0.6298 kilograms per international-$ | 0.6062 kilograms per international-$ | 0.6622 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.7351 kilograms per international-$ | 0.69 kilograms per international-$ | 0.7903 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.8273 kilograms per international-$ | 0.7518 kilograms per international-$ | 0.9675 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.9828 kilograms per international-$ | 0.8943 kilograms per international-$ | 1.04 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1860s | 1.23 kilograms per international-$ | 1.14 kilograms per international-$ | 1.31 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1870s | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | 1.25 kilograms per international-$ | 1.41 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1880s | 1.41 kilograms per international-$ | 1.35 kilograms per international-$ | 1.48 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1890s | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | 1.27 kilograms per international-$ | 1.41 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1900s | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | 1.4 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1910s | 1.28 kilograms per international-$ | 1.16 kilograms per international-$ | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1920s | 1.23 kilograms per international-$ | 0.7336 kilograms per international-$ | 1.46 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1930s | 1.06 kilograms per international-$ | 0.9901 kilograms per international-$ | 1.16 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1940s | 0.8789 kilograms per international-$ | 0.814 kilograms per international-$ | 0.9489 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.8888 kilograms per international-$ | 0.8007 kilograms per international-$ | 0.9524 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.7358 kilograms per international-$ | 0.662 kilograms per international-$ | 0.8091 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.5933 kilograms per international-$ | 0.5265 kilograms per international-$ | 0.6835 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.439 kilograms per international-$ | 0.3877 kilograms per international-$ | 0.4989 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.3608 kilograms per international-$ | 0.308 kilograms per international-$ | 0.4095 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.2672 kilograms per international-$ | 0.2297 kilograms per international-$ | 0.3011 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.1828 kilograms per international-$ | 0.139 kilograms per international-$ | 0.2336 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.1317 kilograms per international-$ | 0.119 kilograms per international-$ | 0.1397 kilograms per international-$ | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 132 Colombia 0.1204 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 133 Cote d'Ivoire 0.1194 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 134 Bangladesh 0.119 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 136 Ireland 0.1189 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 137 Cameroon 0.1184 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 138 Chad 0.1161 kilograms per international-$ compare
More climate change data for United Kingdom
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 37,706 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 8,697 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 29,008 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 32.82 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 1,036 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 7,083 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 7,027 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 55.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 26.52 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 2 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in United Kingdom?
- Carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in United Kingdom was 0.119 kilograms per international-$ in 2022, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025); Bolt and van Zanden – Maddison Project Database 2023 – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 1.48 kilograms per international-$ in 1883.
- What is the lowest carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.119 kilograms per international-$ in 2022.
- How does United Kingdom rank for carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp?
- United Kingdom ranks 135th out of 164 countries with data for 2022.
- Is carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 45.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025); Bolt and van Zanden – Maddison Project Database 2023 – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 203 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), excluding land-use change, measured in kilograms per dollar of GDP (2011 international-$).