Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change was 155.60 million tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
155.60 million tonnes
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
139th
of 197 countries
All-time high
155.60 million tonnes
in 2024
All-time low
-36.58 million tonnes
in 1950
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change in Saudi Arabia, 1850–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Saudi Arabia recorded 155.60 million tonnes for cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in 2024. That is the highest value across all 175 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.3% on the previous year and up 1.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in Saudi Arabia peaked at 155.60 million tonnes in 2024 and was at its lowest, -36.58 million tonnes, in 1950.
Saudi Arabia ranks 139th 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 Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | -245,964 tonnes | — |
| 1851 | -497,644 tonnes | +102.3% |
| 1852 | -754,271 tonnes | +51.6% |
| 1853 | -1.02 million tonnes | +34.6% |
| 1854 | -1.28 million tonnes | +26.1% |
| 1855 | -1.55 million tonnes | +21.0% |
| 1856 | -1.82 million tonnes | +17.6% |
| 1857 | -2.10 million tonnes | +15.2% |
| 1858 | -2.38 million tonnes | +13.4% |
| 1859 | -2.67 million tonnes | +11.9% |
| 1860 | -2.96 million tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1861 | -3.26 million tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1862 | -3.56 million tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1863 | -3.87 million tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1864 | -4.18 million tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1865 | -4.49 million tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1866 | -4.81 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1867 | -5.13 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1868 | -5.45 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1869 | -5.78 million tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1870 | -6.08 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1871 | -6.38 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1872 | -6.67 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1873 | -6.96 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1874 | -7.25 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1875 | -7.53 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1876 | -7.81 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1877 | -8.09 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1878 | -8.37 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1879 | -8.65 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1880 | -8.93 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1881 | -9.21 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1882 | -9.49 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1883 | -9.76 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1884 | -10.04 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1885 | -10.32 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1886 | -10.60 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1887 | -10.88 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1888 | -11.16 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1889 | -11.44 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1890 | -11.73 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1891 | -12.03 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1892 | -12.32 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1893 | -12.63 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1894 | -12.93 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1895 | -13.24 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1896 | -13.55 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1897 | -13.86 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1898 | -14.18 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1899 | -14.50 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1900 | -14.83 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1901 | -15.17 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1902 | -15.51 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1903 | -15.86 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1904 | -16.21 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1905 | -16.57 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1906 | -16.93 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1907 | -17.29 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1908 | -17.66 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1909 | -18.04 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1910 | -18.47 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1911 | -18.94 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1912 | -19.44 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1913 | -19.97 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1914 | -20.52 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1915 | -21.08 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1916 | -21.67 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1917 | -22.26 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1918 | -22.87 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1919 | -23.49 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1920 | -24.05 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1921 | -24.57 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1922 | -25.06 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1923 | -25.53 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1924 | -25.98 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1925 | -26.41 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1926 | -26.82 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1927 | -27.23 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1928 | -27.62 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1929 | -28.01 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1930 | -28.41 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1931 | -28.81 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1932 | -29.21 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1933 | -29.61 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1934 | -30.00 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1935 | -30.40 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1936 | -30.80 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1937 | -31.19 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1938 | -31.59 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1939 | -31.98 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1940 | -32.41 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1941 | -32.84 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1942 | -33.29 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1943 | -33.74 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1944 | -34.20 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1945 | -34.67 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1946 | -35.14 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1947 | -35.61 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1948 | -36.09 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1949 | -36.57 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1950 | -36.58 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1951 | -36.30 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1952 | -35.84 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1953 | -35.27 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1954 | -34.62 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1955 | -33.92 million tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1956 | -33.20 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1957 | -32.42 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1958 | -31.58 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1959 | -30.66 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1960 | -30.34 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1961 | -29.77 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1962 | -29.01 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1963 | -27.92 million tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1964 | -26.87 million tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1965 | -25.77 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1966 | -24.67 million tonnes | -4.3% |
| 1967 | -23.05 million tonnes | -6.6% |
| 1968 | -21.07 million tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1969 | -19.00 million tonnes | -9.9% |
| 1970 | -16.75 million tonnes | -11.8% |
| 1971 | -14.26 million tonnes | -14.8% |
| 1972 | -11.52 million tonnes | -19.2% |
| 1973 | -8.14 million tonnes | -29.4% |
| 1974 | -5.14 million tonnes | -36.9% |
| 1975 | -1.68 million tonnes | -67.3% |
| 1976 | 1.68 million tonnes | -200.1% |
| 1977 | 4.99 million tonnes | +196.7% |
| 1978 | 8.33 million tonnes | +66.8% |
| 1979 | 11.70 million tonnes | +40.4% |
| 1980 | 15.04 million tonnes | +28.6% |
| 1981 | 18.53 million tonnes | +23.2% |
| 1982 | 26.15 million tonnes | +41.1% |
| 1983 | 34.44 million tonnes | +31.7% |
| 1984 | 44.62 million tonnes | +29.5% |
| 1985 | 54.49 million tonnes | +22.1% |
| 1986 | 65.63 million tonnes | +20.4% |
| 1987 | 76.04 million tonnes | +15.9% |
| 1988 | 86.51 million tonnes | +13.8% |
| 1989 | 97.97 million tonnes | +13.3% |
| 1990 | 110.09 million tonnes | +12.4% |
| 1991 | 119.39 million tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1992 | 126.12 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1993 | 130.33 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1994 | 133.44 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1995 | 135.73 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1996 | 137.46 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1997 | 138.78 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 140.90 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 142.39 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 143.57 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2001 | 144.52 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 146.40 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2003 | 147.94 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 149.06 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 149.88 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 150.92 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2007 | 152.12 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 152.96 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 153.34 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 153.73 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 154.08 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 154.55 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 153.69 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 152.87 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 152.14 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2016 | 152.56 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 153.69 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 154.08 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 154.53 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 154.57 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 154.53 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 2022 | 154.75 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 155.13 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 155.60 million tonnes | +0.3% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 155.60 million tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 323.46 million tonnes, 48% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 155.60 million tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 84.69 million tonnes, 1.8× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Cumulative CO₂ emissions from land-use change 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | +200.1% | -1.68 million tonnes | 1.68 million tonnes |
| 1977 | +196.7% | 1.68 million tonnes | 4.99 million tonnes |
| 1851 | -102.3% | -245,964 tonnes | -497,644 tonnes |
| 1975 | +67.3% | -5.14 million tonnes | -1.68 million tonnes |
| 1978 | +66.8% | 4.99 million tonnes | 8.33 million tonnes |
| 1852 | -51.6% | -497,644 tonnes | -754,271 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | -1.43 million tonnes | -2.67 million tonnes | -245,964 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | -4.35 million tonnes | -5.78 million tonnes | -2.96 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | -7.38 million tonnes | -8.65 million tonnes | -6.08 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | -10.18 million tonnes | -11.44 million tonnes | -8.93 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | -13.10 million tonnes | -14.50 million tonnes | -11.73 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | -16.41 million tonnes | -18.04 million tonnes | -14.83 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | -20.87 million tonnes | -23.49 million tonnes | -18.47 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | -26.13 million tonnes | -28.01 million tonnes | -24.05 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | -30.20 million tonnes | -31.98 million tonnes | -28.41 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | -34.46 million tonnes | -36.57 million tonnes | -32.41 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | -34.04 million tonnes | -36.58 million tonnes | -30.66 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | -25.75 million tonnes | -30.34 million tonnes | -19.00 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | -3.08 million tonnes | -16.75 million tonnes | 11.70 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 51.94 million tonnes | 15.04 million tonnes | 97.97 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 131.46 million tonnes | 110.09 million tonnes | 142.39 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 149.07 million tonnes | 143.57 million tonnes | 153.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 153.59 million tonnes | 152.14 million tonnes | 154.55 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 154.91 million tonnes | 154.53 million tonnes | 155.60 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 cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in Saudi Arabia?
- Cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change in Saudi Arabia was 155.60 million 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 155.60 million tonnes in 2024.
- What is the lowest cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was -36.58 million tonnes in 1950.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 139th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is cumulative co₂ emissions from land-use change rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.8%. 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 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.