Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea
North Korea: Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change was 1.68 billion tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.68 billion tonnes
Change on year
up 0.6%
World rank
73rd
of 197 countries
All-time high
1.68 billion tonnes
in 2024
All-time low
2.86 million tonnes
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea, 1850–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea is 1.68 billion tonnes, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 175 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.6% on the previous year and up 6.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea peaked at 1.68 billion tonnes in 2024 and was at its lowest, 2.86 million tonnes, in 1850.
North Korea ranks 73rd of 197 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.
Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2.86 million tonnes | — |
| 1851 | 5.80 million tonnes | +102.5% |
| 1852 | 8.65 million tonnes | +49.3% |
| 1853 | 11.38 million tonnes | +31.5% |
| 1854 | 14.05 million tonnes | +23.5% |
| 1855 | 16.76 million tonnes | +19.3% |
| 1856 | 19.36 million tonnes | +15.5% |
| 1857 | 21.96 million tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1858 | 24.59 million tonnes | +12.0% |
| 1859 | 27.10 million tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1860 | 29.65 million tonnes | +9.4% |
| 1861 | 31.99 million tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1862 | 34.42 million tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1863 | 36.73 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1864 | 39.12 million tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1865 | 41.40 million tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1866 | 43.62 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1867 | 45.82 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1868 | 48.03 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1869 | 50.26 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1870 | 52.62 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1871 | 55.02 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1872 | 57.09 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1873 | 59.17 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1874 | 61.16 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1875 | 63.30 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1876 | 65.42 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1877 | 67.40 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1878 | 69.39 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1879 | 71.34 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1880 | 73.46 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1881 | 75.49 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1882 | 77.33 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1883 | 79.33 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1884 | 81.40 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1885 | 83.47 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1886 | 85.68 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1887 | 87.80 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1888 | 89.94 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1889 | 92.32 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1890 | 94.60 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1891 | 96.77 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1892 | 98.79 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1893 | 100.70 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1894 | 102.64 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1895 | 104.76 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1896 | 106.86 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1897 | 109.10 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1898 | 111.30 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1899 | 113.48 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1900 | 115.78 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1901 | 118.17 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1902 | 120.63 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1903 | 122.95 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1904 | 125.30 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1905 | 127.65 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1906 | 130.18 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1907 | 132.63 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1908 | 135.19 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1909 | 137.74 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1910 | 145.10 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1911 | 153.70 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1912 | 163.36 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1913 | 174.07 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1914 | 185.89 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1915 | 198.45 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1916 | 211.91 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1917 | 226.15 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1918 | 241.15 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1919 | 257.02 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1920 | 272.30 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1921 | 287.73 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1922 | 303.28 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1923 | 319.03 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1924 | 335.03 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1925 | 351.35 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1926 | 367.84 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1927 | 384.21 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1928 | 400.95 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1929 | 417.69 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1930 | 434.73 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1931 | 451.71 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1932 | 468.84 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1933 | 486.09 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1934 | 503.28 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1935 | 520.66 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1936 | 538.01 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1937 | 555.53 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1938 | 573.05 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1939 | 590.89 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1940 | 608.66 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1941 | 626.45 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1942 | 644.24 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1943 | 662.23 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1944 | 679.97 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1945 | 697.85 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1946 | 715.79 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1947 | 733.45 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1948 | 750.94 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1949 | 768.66 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1950 | 781.61 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1951 | 792.44 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1952 | 800.80 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1953 | 808.27 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1954 | 816.78 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1955 | 826.87 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1956 | 838.15 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1957 | 851.40 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1958 | 864.37 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1959 | 876.38 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 885.34 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1961 | 894.74 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1962 | 903.34 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 911.94 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1964 | 919.74 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1965 | 927.78 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1966 | 934.99 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1967 | 941.35 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1968 | 948.11 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1969 | 956.67 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1970 | 966.08 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1971 | 972.58 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1972 | 988.88 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1973 | 999.51 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1974 | 1.01 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1975 | 1.02 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1976 | 1.03 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1977 | 1.04 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1978 | 1.05 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1979 | 1.08 billion tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 1.09 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1981 | 1.10 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1982 | 1.12 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1983 | 1.13 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1984 | 1.14 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1985 | 1.15 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1986 | 1.16 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1987 | 1.17 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1988 | 1.18 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1989 | 1.19 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1990 | 1.21 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1991 | 1.22 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1992 | 1.23 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1993 | 1.26 billion tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1994 | 1.27 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1995 | 1.28 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 1.29 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 1.31 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1998 | 1.32 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1999 | 1.33 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2000 | 1.34 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 1.36 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 1.37 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 1.38 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 1.40 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 1.42 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 1.43 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 1.46 billion tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 1.48 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2009 | 1.50 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 1.51 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2011 | 1.53 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 1.54 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 1.56 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 1.57 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 1.58 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 1.59 billion tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 1.60 billion tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 1.61 billion tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 1.63 billion tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 1.64 billion tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 1.65 billion tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 1.66 billion tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 1.67 billion tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 1.68 billion tonnes | +0.6% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 1.68 billion tonnes is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.53 billion tonnes, 1.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 1.68 billion tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.03 billion tonnes, 1.6× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | +102.5% | 2.86 million tonnes | 5.80 million tonnes |
| 1852 | +49.3% | 5.80 million tonnes | 8.65 million tonnes |
| 1853 | +31.5% | 8.65 million tonnes | 11.38 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 15.25 million tonnes | 2.86 million tonnes | 27.10 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 40.10 million tonnes | 29.65 million tonnes | 50.26 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 62.19 million tonnes | 52.62 million tonnes | 71.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 82.62 million tonnes | 73.46 million tonnes | 92.32 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 103.90 million tonnes | 94.60 million tonnes | 113.48 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 126.62 million tonnes | 115.78 million tonnes | 137.74 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 195.68 million tonnes | 145.10 million tonnes | 257.02 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 343.94 million tonnes | 272.30 million tonnes | 417.69 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 512.28 million tonnes | 434.73 million tonnes | 590.89 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 688.82 million tonnes | 608.66 million tonnes | 768.66 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 825.71 million tonnes | 781.61 million tonnes | 876.38 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 922.40 million tonnes | 885.34 million tonnes | 956.67 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.02 billion tonnes | 966.08 million tonnes | 1.08 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.15 billion tonnes | 1.09 billion tonnes | 1.19 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.27 billion tonnes | 1.21 billion tonnes | 1.33 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.41 billion tonnes | 1.34 billion tonnes | 1.50 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.57 billion tonnes | 1.51 billion tonnes | 1.63 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.66 billion tonnes | 1.64 billion tonnes | 1.68 billion tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More climate change data for North Korea
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.2% (2100)
- Population, total 26.57 million (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 0.6419 units per person (2025)
- Precipitation anomalies, annual growth rate 27.14 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, annual growth rate 0.7919 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population 17.06 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 0.8% (2025)
- Population growth 0.3% (2025)
- Population, total, annual growth rate 0.2725 % change on previous year (2025)
- Per capita CO₂ emissions vs. per capita energy use 2.36 tonnes per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea?
- Cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in North Korea was 1.68 billion tonnes in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 1.68 billion tonnes in 2024.
- What is the lowest cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.86 million tonnes in 1850.
- How does North Korea rank for cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change?
- North Korea ranks 73rd out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Cumulative emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from land-use change since the first year of available data, measured in tonnes.