Per capita CO₂ emissions relative to the global average in South Africa
South Africa: Per capita CO₂ emissions relative to the global average was 6.87 tonnes per person in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Per capita CO₂ emissions relative to the global average in South Africa, 1884–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes per person.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 6.87 tonnes per person for per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 20.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average in South Africa peaked at 9.68 tonnes per person in 2008 and was at its lowest, 0.0051 tonnes per person, in 1884.
South Africa ranks 42nd of 213 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0.0136 tonnes per person | 0.0051 tonnes per person | 0.0289 tonnes per person | 6 |
| 1890s | 0.5903 tonnes per person | 0.0635 tonnes per person | 1.2 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1900s | 1.6 tonnes per person | 0.4513 tonnes per person | 2.5 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1910s | 2.99 tonnes per person | 2.64 tonnes per person | 3.42 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1920s | 3.51 tonnes per person | 2.92 tonnes per person | 3.76 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1930s | 3.25 tonnes per person | 2.56 tonnes per person | 3.81 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1940s | 4.45 tonnes per person | 3.87 tonnes per person | 4.75 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1950s | 5.46 tonnes per person | 4.67 tonnes per person | 6.16 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1960s | 6.36 tonnes per person | 5.95 tonnes per person | 6.71 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1970s | 7.23 tonnes per person | 6.72 tonnes per person | 7.64 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 8.79 tonnes per person | 7.73 tonnes per person | 9.31 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.85 tonnes per person | 7.1 tonnes per person | 8.44 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.62 tonnes per person | 7.42 tonnes per person | 9.68 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.28 tonnes per person | 7.63 tonnes per person | 8.95 tonnes per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 7 tonnes per person | 6.87 tonnes per person | 7.19 tonnes per person | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More climate change data for South Africa
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.9% (2100)
- Population growth 1.1% (2025)
- Population, total 64.75 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 1.3% (2025)
- Urban population 41.32 million (2025)
- Urban population 63.8% (2025)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. GDP per capita 6.87 tonnes per person (2024)
- Cumulative CO₂ emissions 22.83 billion tonnes (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita 6.87 tonnes per person (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. share of electricity generation from renewables 6.87 tonnes per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average in South Africa?
- Per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average in South Africa was 6.87 tonnes per person in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 9.68 tonnes per person in 2008.
- What is the lowest per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0051 tonnes per person in 1884.
- How does South Africa rank for per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average?
- South Africa ranks 42nd out of 213 countries with data for 2024.
- Is per capita co₂ emissions relative to the global average rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Per capita CO₂ emissions relative to the global average. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from burning fossil fuels and industrial processes. This includes emissions from transport, electricity generation, and heating, but not land-use change.