Methane emissions in Iran
Iran: Methane emissions was 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
up 2.0%
World rank
9th
of 199 countries
All-time high
171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 2024
All-time low
6.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Methane emissions in Iran, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
The most recent figure for methane emissions in Iran is 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 175 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.0% on the previous year and up 27.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in Iran peaked at 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024 and was at its lowest, 6.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places Iran 9th out of 199 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Methane emissions in Iran, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 6.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 6.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1852 | 6.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1853 | 6.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1854 | 6.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1855 | 6.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1856 | 6.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1857 | 6.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1858 | 6.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1859 | 6.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1860 | 6.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1861 | 6.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1862 | 6.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1863 | 6.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1864 | 6.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1865 | 6.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1866 | 6.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1867 | 6.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1868 | 6.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1869 | 6.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1870 | 6.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1871 | 6.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1872 | 6.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1873 | 6.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1874 | 7.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1875 | 7.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1876 | 7.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1877 | 7.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1878 | 7.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1879 | 7.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1880 | 7.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1881 | 7.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1882 | 7.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1883 | 7.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1884 | 8.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1885 | 8.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1886 | 8.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1887 | 8.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1888 | 8.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1889 | 8.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1890 | 8.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1891 | 8.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1892 | 8.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1893 | 8.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1894 | 8.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1895 | 9.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1896 | 9.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1897 | 9.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1898 | 9.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1899 | 9.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1900 | 9.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1901 | 9.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1902 | 9.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1903 | 9.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1904 | 9.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1905 | 9.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1906 | 9.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1907 | 9.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1908 | 9.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1909 | 9.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1910 | 9.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1911 | 9.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1912 | 10.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1913 | 10.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1914 | 10.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1915 | 10.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1916 | 10.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1917 | 10.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1918 | 10.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1919 | 10.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1920 | 11.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1921 | 11.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1922 | 11.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1923 | 11.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1924 | 11.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1925 | 11.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1926 | 11.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1927 | 11.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1928 | 11.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1929 | 12.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1930 | 12.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1931 | 12.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1932 | 12.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1933 | 12.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1934 | 12.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1935 | 12.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1936 | 13.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1937 | 13.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1938 | 13.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1939 | 13.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1940 | 14.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1941 | 14.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1942 | 14.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1943 | 14.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1944 | 15.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1945 | 15.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1946 | 16.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1947 | 16.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1948 | 17.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1949 | 17.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1950 | 18.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1951 | 18.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1952 | 19.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1953 | 20.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1954 | 20.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1955 | 21.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1956 | 32.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +51.9% |
| 1957 | 38.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +20.2% |
| 1958 | 43.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.2% |
| 1959 | 42.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1960 | 63.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +49.3% |
| 1961 | 60.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.9% |
| 1962 | 61.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1963 | 64.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1964 | 73.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.2% |
| 1965 | 77.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.8% |
| 1966 | 83.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.9% |
| 1967 | 88.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1968 | 112.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +26.5% |
| 1969 | 110.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1970 | 129.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +17.4% |
| 1971 | 129.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1972 | 141.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.9% |
| 1973 | 162.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +14.6% |
| 1974 | 167.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 151.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -9.5% |
| 1976 | 164.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.0% |
| 1977 | 159.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.5% |
| 1978 | 149.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.9% |
| 1979 | 100.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -32.7% |
| 1980 | 59.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -41.0% |
| 1981 | 55.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.7% |
| 1982 | 74.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +34.5% |
| 1983 | 79.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.5% |
| 1984 | 74.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.8% |
| 1985 | 77.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 73.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.0% |
| 1987 | 80.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.0% |
| 1988 | 80.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1989 | 95.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +18.2% |
| 1990 | 102.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.8% |
| 1991 | 124.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +20.9% |
| 1992 | 131.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1993 | 133.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 137.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1995 | 132.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.8% |
| 1996 | 139.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1997 | 138.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 1998 | 123.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.1% |
| 1999 | 120.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.5% |
| 2000 | 131.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.2% |
| 2001 | 121.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.5% |
| 2002 | 121.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 145.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +19.9% |
| 2004 | 141.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 2005 | 149.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 2006 | 156.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 148.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.5% |
| 2008 | 146.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 2009 | 148.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 2010 | 153.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 2011 | 152.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 135.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.2% |
| 2013 | 135.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 134.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 136.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 165.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +21.6% |
| 2017 | 169.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 2018 | 162.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.0% |
| 2019 | 137.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -15.7% |
| 2020 | 132.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.3% |
| 2021 | 146.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.4% |
| 2022 | 151.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 167.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.7% |
| 2024 | 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 11.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 14.6× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- Iran's 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 25.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 6.6× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Methane emissions in Iran 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | +51.9% | 21.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 32.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1960 | +49.3% | 42.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 63.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1980 | -41.0% | 100.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 59.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1979 | -32.7% | 149.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 100.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1982 | +34.5% | 55.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 74.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1968 | +26.5% | 88.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 112.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 6.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 6.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 7.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 7.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 8.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 7.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 8.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 9.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 10.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 11.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 11.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 12.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 12.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 12.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 15.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 14.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 17.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 27.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 18.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 43.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 79.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 60.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 112.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 145.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 100.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 167.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 75.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 55.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 95.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 128.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 102.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 139.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 140.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 121.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 156.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 148.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 134.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 169.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 153.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 132.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Iran
- 6 Indonesia 412.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 7 Pakistan 228.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 8 Nigeria 193.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 10 Iraq 156.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 11 Mexico 151.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 12 Australia 135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for Iran
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.0713 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.08 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.2419 °C (2026)
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.8% (2100)
- Population, total, annual growth rate 0.9283 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, total, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, annual growth rate 1.39 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 0.7738 units per person (2025)
- Precipitation anomalies, annual growth rate -620.65 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in Iran?
- Methane emissions in Iran was 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Iran rank for methane emissions?
- Iran ranks 9th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions. 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
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.