Nitrous oxide emissions in North Korea
North Korea: Nitrous oxide emissions was 1.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 11.5%
World rank
117th
of 201 countries
All-time high
9.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1988
All-time low
182,833 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Nitrous oxide emissions in North Korea, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
North Korea recorded 1.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents for nitrous oxide emissions in 2024.
That represents a change of down 11.5% on the previous year and down 24.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, nitrous oxide emissions in North Korea peaked at 9.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1988 and was at its lowest, 182,833 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
North Korea ranks 117th of 201 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.
Nitrous oxide emissions in North Korea, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 182,833 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 185,274 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1852 | 187,685 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1853 | 190,046 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1854 | 192,340 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1855 | 194,547 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1856 | 196,648 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1857 | 198,626 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1858 | 200,460 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1859 | 202,133 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1860 | 203,625 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1861 | 205,004 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1862 | 206,354 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1863 | 207,683 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1864 | 208,997 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1865 | 210,305 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1866 | 211,614 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1867 | 212,930 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1868 | 214,263 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1869 | 215,619 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1870 | 217,005 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1871 | 219,363 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1872 | 223,372 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1873 | 228,650 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1874 | 234,814 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1875 | 241,483 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1876 | 248,273 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1877 | 254,801 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1878 | 260,687 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1879 | 265,545 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1880 | 268,996 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1881 | 271,500 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1882 | 273,802 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1883 | 275,944 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1884 | 277,965 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1885 | 279,906 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1886 | 281,808 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1887 | 283,711 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1888 | 285,656 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1889 | 287,682 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 296,379 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1891 | 300,223 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1892 | 304,166 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1893 | 308,206 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1894 | 312,343 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1895 | 316,575 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1896 | 320,901 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1897 | 325,321 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1898 | 329,833 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1899 | 334,437 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1900 | 339,131 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1901 | 343,949 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1902 | 348,921 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1903 | 354,040 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1904 | 359,300 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1905 | 364,694 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1906 | 370,216 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1907 | 375,859 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1908 | 381,618 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1909 | 387,485 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1910 | 393,454 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1911 | 399,686 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1912 | 406,303 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1913 | 413,245 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1914 | 420,450 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1915 | 427,858 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1916 | 435,407 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1917 | 443,036 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1918 | 450,684 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1919 | 458,291 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1920 | 465,794 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1921 | 473,171 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1922 | 480,478 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1923 | 487,774 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1924 | 495,121 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1925 | 502,577 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1926 | 510,201 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1927 | 518,055 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1928 | 526,198 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1929 | 534,689 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1930 | 543,588 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1931 | 553,400 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1932 | 564,502 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1933 | 576,760 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1934 | 590,041 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1935 | 604,213 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1936 | 619,143 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1937 | 634,697 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1938 | 650,743 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1939 | 667,148 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1940 | 683,779 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1941 | 705,980 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1942 | 737,928 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1943 | 777,742 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1944 | 823,535 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.9% |
| 1945 | 873,426 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.1% |
| 1946 | 925,530 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1947 | 977,964 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1948 | 1.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1949 | 1.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1950 | 1.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1951 | 1.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1952 | 1.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1953 | 1.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1954 | 1.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.5% |
| 1955 | 1.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1956 | 1.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1957 | 1.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.3% |
| 1958 | 1.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1959 | 1.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 1960 | 1.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1961 | 2.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.7% |
| 1962 | 2.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.5% |
| 1963 | 2.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1964 | 2.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1965 | 2.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1966 | 2.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1967 | 3.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1968 | 3.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1969 | 3.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.1% |
| 1970 | 3.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.9% |
| 1971 | 3.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1972 | 4.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1973 | 4.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.4% |
| 1974 | 4.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 4.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1976 | 5.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +15.6% |
| 1977 | 5.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.4% |
| 1978 | 6.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.9% |
| 1979 | 6.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1980 | 6.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1981 | 7.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.5% |
| 1982 | 7.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1983 | 7.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.3% |
| 1984 | 8.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1985 | 9.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.2% |
| 1986 | 9.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1987 | 9.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1988 | 9.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 1989 | 9.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1990 | 8.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -12.2% |
| 1991 | 8.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1992 | 8.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1993 | 8.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 1994 | 6.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -23.4% |
| 1995 | 5.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -25.2% |
| 1996 | 4.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -15.6% |
| 1997 | 4.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.6% |
| 1998 | 3.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -13.6% |
| 1999 | 3.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.2% |
| 2000 | 3.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.0% |
| 2002 | 2.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -18.9% |
| 2003 | 2.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -12.9% |
| 2004 | 2.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.2% |
| 2005 | 2.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 2.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 2007 | 2.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -12.4% |
| 2008 | 2.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 2009 | 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.8% |
| 2010 | 2.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 2011 | 2.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 2012 | 2.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -8.4% |
| 2013 | 2.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.6% |
| 2014 | 2.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.3% |
| 2015 | 2.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -8.1% |
| 2016 | 2.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.4% |
| 2017 | 2.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +15.0% |
| 2018 | 3.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.3% |
| 2019 | 2.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -14.7% |
| 2020 | 2.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.3% |
| 2021 | 2.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.4% |
| 2022 | 2.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.5% |
| 2023 | 2.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 1.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.5% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 1.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is below the median for low income countries, which is 6.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 31% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 1.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 1.2× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Nitrous oxide emissions 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | -25.2% | 6.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 193,059 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 182,833 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 202,133 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 209,639 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 203,625 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 215,619 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 239,399 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 217,005 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 265,545 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 278,697 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 268,996 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 287,682 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 314,838 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 296,379 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 334,437 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 362,521 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 339,131 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 387,485 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 424,841 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 393,454 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 458,291 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 499,406 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 465,794 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 534,689 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 600,424 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 543,588 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 667,148 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 861,101 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 683,779 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 8.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 6.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
- 114 Latvia 2.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 115 Croatia 2.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 116 Sri Lanka 2.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 118 Kyrgyzstan 1.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 119 Congo 1.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 120 Georgia 1.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for North Korea
- Spring temperature anomalies 2.29 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.3103 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -2.22 °C (2026)
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.2% (2100)
- Population, total, annual growth rate 0.2725 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, annual growth rate 0.7919 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 0.6419 units per person (2025)
- Precipitation anomalies, annual growth rate 27.14 % change on previous year (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 2 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.9637 °C (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is nitrous oxide emissions in North Korea?
- Nitrous oxide emissions in North Korea was 1.93 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 nitrous oxide emissions recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 9.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1988.
- What is the lowest nitrous oxide emissions recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 182,833 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does North Korea rank for nitrous oxide emissions?
- North Korea ranks 117th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is nitrous oxide emissions rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Nitrous oxide 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.