Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP in United States
United States: Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP was 0.2593 kilograms per international-$ in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
0.2593 kilograms per international-$
Change on year
down 1.3%
World rank
52nd
of 164 countries
All-time high
1.66 kilograms per international-$
in 1917
All-time low
0.0292 kilograms per international-$
in 1822
Years of data
203
1820–2022
Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP in United States, 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-$.
Analysis
In 2022, carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in United States stood at 0.2593 kilograms per international-$.
That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year and down 23.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in United States peaked at 1.66 kilograms per international-$ in 1917 and was at its lowest, 0.0292 kilograms per international-$, in 1822.
That places United States 52nd out of 164 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Carbon intensity: CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP in United States, year by year
| Year | kilograms per international-$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 0.0297 kilograms per international-$ | — |
| 1821 | 0.0296 kilograms per international-$ | -0.1% |
| 1822 | 0.0292 kilograms per international-$ | -1.5% |
| 1823 | 0.0298 kilograms per international-$ | +2.3% |
| 1824 | 0.0317 kilograms per international-$ | +6.4% |
| 1825 | 0.0338 kilograms per international-$ | +6.5% |
| 1826 | 0.0378 kilograms per international-$ | +11.8% |
| 1827 | 0.0403 kilograms per international-$ | +6.7% |
| 1828 | 0.0432 kilograms per international-$ | +7.2% |
| 1829 | 0.0491 kilograms per international-$ | +13.5% |
| 1830 | 0.0519 kilograms per international-$ | +5.7% |
| 1831 | 0.0514 kilograms per international-$ | -1.0% |
| 1832 | 0.0642 kilograms per international-$ | +25.0% |
| 1833 | 0.0704 kilograms per international-$ | +9.5% |
| 1834 | 0.0688 kilograms per international-$ | -2.2% |
| 1835 | 0.0823 kilograms per international-$ | +19.6% |
| 1836 | 0.0865 kilograms per international-$ | +5.1% |
| 1837 | 0.0976 kilograms per international-$ | +12.8% |
| 1838 | 0.0911 kilograms per international-$ | -6.7% |
| 1839 | 0.0929 kilograms per international-$ | +2.0% |
| 1840 | 0.1014 kilograms per international-$ | +9.2% |
| 1841 | 0.1058 kilograms per international-$ | +4.3% |
| 1842 | 0.115 kilograms per international-$ | +8.7% |
| 1843 | 0.123 kilograms per international-$ | +7.0% |
| 1844 | 0.1355 kilograms per international-$ | +10.2% |
| 1845 | 0.1559 kilograms per international-$ | +15.0% |
| 1846 | 0.1707 kilograms per international-$ | +9.5% |
| 1847 | 0.1917 kilograms per international-$ | +12.3% |
| 1848 | 0.2024 kilograms per international-$ | +5.6% |
| 1849 | 0.2195 kilograms per international-$ | +8.5% |
| 1850 | 0.2311 kilograms per international-$ | +5.3% |
| 1851 | 0.2671 kilograms per international-$ | +15.6% |
| 1852 | 0.2674 kilograms per international-$ | +0.1% |
| 1853 | 0.2718 kilograms per international-$ | +1.7% |
| 1854 | 0.29 kilograms per international-$ | +6.7% |
| 1855 | 0.3309 kilograms per international-$ | +14.1% |
| 1856 | 0.3303 kilograms per international-$ | -0.2% |
| 1857 | 0.3364 kilograms per international-$ | +1.9% |
| 1858 | 0.3303 kilograms per international-$ | -1.8% |
| 1859 | 0.3407 kilograms per international-$ | +3.2% |
| 1860 | 0.3385 kilograms per international-$ | -0.7% |
| 1861 | 0.3242 kilograms per international-$ | -4.2% |
| 1862 | 0.3184 kilograms per international-$ | -1.8% |
| 1863 | 0.337 kilograms per international-$ | +5.9% |
| 1864 | 0.3409 kilograms per international-$ | +1.1% |
| 1865 | 0.3521 kilograms per international-$ | +3.3% |
| 1866 | 0.3493 kilograms per international-$ | -0.8% |
| 1867 | 0.4067 kilograms per international-$ | +16.4% |
| 1868 | 0.4436 kilograms per international-$ | +9.1% |
| 1869 | 0.4813 kilograms per international-$ | +8.5% |
| 1870 | 0.5103 kilograms per international-$ | +6.0% |
| 1871 | 0.5096 kilograms per international-$ | -0.1% |
| 1872 | 0.6005 kilograms per international-$ | +17.8% |
| 1873 | 0.6315 kilograms per international-$ | +5.2% |
| 1874 | 0.6118 kilograms per international-$ | -3.1% |
| 1875 | 0.5877 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 1876 | 0.5682 kilograms per international-$ | -3.3% |
| 1877 | 0.6099 kilograms per international-$ | +7.3% |
| 1878 | 0.5723 kilograms per international-$ | -6.2% |
| 1879 | 0.6214 kilograms per international-$ | +8.6% |
| 1880 | 0.63 kilograms per international-$ | +1.4% |
| 1881 | 0.6437 kilograms per international-$ | +2.2% |
| 1882 | 0.6777 kilograms per international-$ | +5.3% |
| 1883 | 0.7137 kilograms per international-$ | +5.3% |
| 1884 | 0.7388 kilograms per international-$ | +3.5% |
| 1885 | 0.7458 kilograms per international-$ | +0.9% |
| 1886 | 0.7647 kilograms per international-$ | +2.5% |
| 1887 | 0.7828 kilograms per international-$ | +2.4% |
| 1888 | 0.9562 kilograms per international-$ | +22.2% |
| 1889 | 0.8083 kilograms per international-$ | -15.5% |
| 1890 | 0.9539 kilograms per international-$ | +18.0% |
| 1891 | 0.9728 kilograms per international-$ | +2.0% |
| 1892 | 0.9345 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 1893 | 0.9897 kilograms per international-$ | +5.9% |
| 1894 | 0.9541 kilograms per international-$ | -3.6% |
| 1895 | 0.9612 kilograms per international-$ | +0.7% |
| 1896 | 0.983 kilograms per international-$ | +2.3% |
| 1897 | 0.9338 kilograms per international-$ | -5.0% |
| 1898 | 0.997 kilograms per international-$ | +6.8% |
| 1899 | 1.05 kilograms per international-$ | +5.2% |
| 1900 | 1.08 kilograms per international-$ | +3.1% |
| 1901 | 1.06 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1902 | 1.11 kilograms per international-$ | +4.9% |
| 1903 | 1.24 kilograms per international-$ | +11.6% |
| 1904 | 1.24 kilograms per international-$ | -0.1% |
| 1905 | 1.29 kilograms per international-$ | +4.2% |
| 1906 | 1.21 kilograms per international-$ | -5.8% |
| 1907 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | +14.5% |
| 1908 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | -4.9% |
| 1909 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | -0.5% |
| 1910 | 1.43 kilograms per international-$ | +8.7% |
| 1911 | 1.38 kilograms per international-$ | -3.5% |
| 1912 | 1.41 kilograms per international-$ | +2.6% |
| 1913 | 1.47 kilograms per international-$ | +3.9% |
| 1914 | 1.46 kilograms per international-$ | -0.4% |
| 1915 | 1.49 kilograms per international-$ | +1.5% |
| 1916 | 1.46 kilograms per international-$ | -1.8% |
| 1917 | 1.66 kilograms per international-$ | +13.4% |
| 1918 | 1.6 kilograms per international-$ | -3.6% |
| 1919 | 1.35 kilograms per international-$ | -15.5% |
| 1920 | 1.61 kilograms per international-$ | +19.4% |
| 1921 | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | -15.6% |
| 1922 | 1.31 kilograms per international-$ | -3.8% |
| 1923 | 1.53 kilograms per international-$ | +17.3% |
| 1924 | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | -12.5% |
| 1925 | 1.36 kilograms per international-$ | +1.0% |
| 1926 | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | +2.4% |
| 1927 | 1.35 kilograms per international-$ | -2.6% |
| 1928 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | -2.2% |
| 1929 | 1.34 kilograms per international-$ | +1.7% |
| 1930 | 1.32 kilograms per international-$ | -1.8% |
| 1931 | 1.2 kilograms per international-$ | -9.1% |
| 1932 | 1.2 kilograms per international-$ | -0.3% |
| 1933 | 1.33 kilograms per international-$ | +11.0% |
| 1934 | 1.31 kilograms per international-$ | -1.7% |
| 1935 | 1.21 kilograms per international-$ | -7.6% |
| 1936 | 1.26 kilograms per international-$ | +4.5% |
| 1937 | 1.23 kilograms per international-$ | -2.7% |
| 1938 | 1.1 kilograms per international-$ | -10.0% |
| 1939 | 1.14 kilograms per international-$ | +3.0% |
| 1940 | 1.18 kilograms per international-$ | +3.6% |
| 1941 | 1.13 kilograms per international-$ | -4.4% |
| 1942 | 1.09 kilograms per international-$ | -3.0% |
| 1943 | 1.03 kilograms per international-$ | -5.6% |
| 1944 | 1.04 kilograms per international-$ | +0.4% |
| 1945 | 1.02 kilograms per international-$ | -1.5% |
| 1946 | 1.07 kilograms per international-$ | +5.3% |
| 1947 | 1.2 kilograms per international-$ | +11.9% |
| 1948 | 1.19 kilograms per international-$ | -0.8% |
| 1949 | 1.02 kilograms per international-$ | -14.5% |
| 1950 | 1.1 kilograms per international-$ | +7.6% |
| 1951 | 1.05 kilograms per international-$ | -4.3% |
| 1952 | 0.9847 kilograms per international-$ | -6.1% |
| 1953 | 0.9643 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1954 | 0.9248 kilograms per international-$ | -4.1% |
| 1955 | 0.9467 kilograms per international-$ | +2.4% |
| 1956 | 0.9733 kilograms per international-$ | +2.8% |
| 1957 | 0.9473 kilograms per international-$ | -2.7% |
| 1958 | 0.927 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1959 | 0.8897 kilograms per international-$ | -4.0% |
| 1960 | 0.8881 kilograms per international-$ | -0.2% |
| 1961 | 0.8647 kilograms per international-$ | -2.6% |
| 1962 | 0.8458 kilograms per international-$ | -2.2% |
| 1963 | 0.8466 kilograms per international-$ | +0.1% |
| 1964 | 0.8355 kilograms per international-$ | -1.3% |
| 1965 | 0.818 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1966 | 0.8065 kilograms per international-$ | -1.4% |
| 1967 | 0.8164 kilograms per international-$ | +1.2% |
| 1968 | 0.8078 kilograms per international-$ | -1.1% |
| 1969 | 0.8229 kilograms per international-$ | +1.9% |
| 1970 | 0.8834 kilograms per international-$ | +7.4% |
| 1971 | 0.8618 kilograms per international-$ | -2.4% |
| 1972 | 0.8573 kilograms per international-$ | -0.5% |
| 1973 | 0.8475 kilograms per international-$ | -1.1% |
| 1974 | 0.8198 kilograms per international-$ | -3.3% |
| 1975 | 0.7875 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 1976 | 0.7834 kilograms per international-$ | -0.5% |
| 1977 | 0.7702 kilograms per international-$ | -1.7% |
| 1978 | 0.7513 kilograms per international-$ | -2.5% |
| 1979 | 0.7283 kilograms per international-$ | -3.1% |
| 1980 | 0.7015 kilograms per international-$ | -3.7% |
| 1981 | 0.6574 kilograms per international-$ | -6.3% |
| 1982 | 0.6358 kilograms per international-$ | -3.3% |
| 1983 | 0.6151 kilograms per international-$ | -3.3% |
| 1984 | 0.5909 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 1985 | 0.5709 kilograms per international-$ | -3.4% |
| 1986 | 0.5522 kilograms per international-$ | -3.3% |
| 1987 | 0.5564 kilograms per international-$ | +0.8% |
| 1988 | 0.5574 kilograms per international-$ | +0.2% |
| 1989 | 0.5456 kilograms per international-$ | -2.1% |
| 1990 | 0.5548 kilograms per international-$ | +1.7% |
| 1991 | 0.5503 kilograms per international-$ | -0.8% |
| 1992 | 0.5421 kilograms per international-$ | -1.5% |
| 1993 | 0.5379 kilograms per international-$ | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 0.5251 kilograms per international-$ | -2.4% |
| 1995 | 0.5173 kilograms per international-$ | -1.5% |
| 1996 | 0.5145 kilograms per international-$ | -0.5% |
| 1997 | 0.4987 kilograms per international-$ | -3.1% |
| 1998 | 0.4828 kilograms per international-$ | -3.2% |
| 1999 | 0.4663 kilograms per international-$ | -3.4% |
| 2000 | 0.4652 kilograms per international-$ | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 0.4516 kilograms per international-$ | -2.9% |
| 2002 | 0.447 kilograms per international-$ | -1.0% |
| 2003 | 0.439 kilograms per international-$ | -1.8% |
| 2004 | 0.4304 kilograms per international-$ | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 0.4175 kilograms per international-$ | -3.0% |
| 2006 | 0.4013 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 2007 | 0.3992 kilograms per international-$ | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 0.3872 kilograms per international-$ | -3.0% |
| 2009 | 0.3691 kilograms per international-$ | -4.7% |
| 2010 | 0.372 kilograms per international-$ | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 0.3579 kilograms per international-$ | -3.8% |
| 2012 | 0.3368 kilograms per international-$ | -5.9% |
| 2013 | 0.3395 kilograms per international-$ | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 0.3354 kilograms per international-$ | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 0.317 kilograms per international-$ | -5.5% |
| 2016 | 0.3046 kilograms per international-$ | -3.9% |
| 2017 | 0.2951 kilograms per international-$ | -3.1% |
| 2018 | 0.2958 kilograms per international-$ | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 0.2824 kilograms per international-$ | -4.5% |
| 2020 | 0.2602 kilograms per international-$ | -7.9% |
| 2021 | 0.2628 kilograms per international-$ | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 0.2593 kilograms per international-$ | -1.3% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 0.2593 kilograms per international-$ is above the median for high income countries, which is 0.1825 kilograms per international-$, 1.4× the median. (54 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1820s | 0.0354 kilograms per international-$ | 0.0292 kilograms per international-$ | 0.0491 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.0757 kilograms per international-$ | 0.0514 kilograms per international-$ | 0.0976 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.1521 kilograms per international-$ | 0.1014 kilograms per international-$ | 0.2195 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.2996 kilograms per international-$ | 0.2311 kilograms per international-$ | 0.3407 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.3692 kilograms per international-$ | 0.3184 kilograms per international-$ | 0.4813 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.5823 kilograms per international-$ | 0.5096 kilograms per international-$ | 0.6315 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.7462 kilograms per international-$ | 0.63 kilograms per international-$ | 0.9562 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1890s | 0.9729 kilograms per international-$ | 0.9338 kilograms per international-$ | 1.05 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1900s | 1.23 kilograms per international-$ | 1.06 kilograms per international-$ | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1910s | 1.47 kilograms per international-$ | 1.35 kilograms per international-$ | 1.66 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1920s | 1.39 kilograms per international-$ | 1.31 kilograms per international-$ | 1.61 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1930s | 1.23 kilograms per international-$ | 1.1 kilograms per international-$ | 1.33 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1940s | 1.1 kilograms per international-$ | 1.02 kilograms per international-$ | 1.2 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1950s | 0.9701 kilograms per international-$ | 0.8897 kilograms per international-$ | 1.1 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.8352 kilograms per international-$ | 0.8065 kilograms per international-$ | 0.8881 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.809 kilograms per international-$ | 0.7283 kilograms per international-$ | 0.8834 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.5983 kilograms per international-$ | 0.5456 kilograms per international-$ | 0.7015 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 0.519 kilograms per international-$ | 0.4663 kilograms per international-$ | 0.5548 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 0.4207 kilograms per international-$ | 0.3691 kilograms per international-$ | 0.4652 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.3236 kilograms per international-$ | 0.2824 kilograms per international-$ | 0.372 kilograms per international-$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.2608 kilograms per international-$ | 0.2593 kilograms per international-$ | 0.2628 kilograms per international-$ | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 49 Senegal 0.2722 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 50 India 0.2702 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 51 United Arab Emirates 0.2656 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 53 Poland 0.2558 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 54 North Macedonia 0.2555 kilograms per international-$ compare
- 55 Dominica 0.2442 kilograms per international-$ compare
More climate change data for United States
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 274,482 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 60,922 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 213,560 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 229.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 7,627 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 107,381 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 89,068 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 18,313 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 336.11 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 654.05 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in United States?
- Carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp in United States was 0.2593 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 States?
- The highest recorded value was 1.66 kilograms per international-$ in 1917.
- What is the lowest carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0292 kilograms per international-$ in 1822.
- How does United States rank for carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp?
- United States ranks 52nd out of 164 countries with data for 2022.
- Is carbon intensity: co₂ emissions per dollar of gdp rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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.
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About this data
Annual total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), excluding land-use change, measured in kilograms per dollar of GDP (2011 international-$).