Per capita methane emissions in United States
United States: Per capita methane emissions was 2.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
2.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
Change on year
down 0.7%
World rank
30th
of 199 countries
All-time high
4.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
in 1969
All-time low
2.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person
in 2016
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Per capita methane emissions in United States, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person.
Analysis
United States recorded 2.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person for per capita methane emissions in 2024.
That represents a change of down 0.7% on the previous year and up 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, per capita methane emissions in United States peaked at 4.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 1969 and was at its lowest, 2.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, in 2016.
That places United States 30th out of 199 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 175 years of available data.
Per capita methane emissions in United States, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 3.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | — |
| 1851 | 3.03 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 1852 | 3.03 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1853 | 3.03 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1854 | 3.03 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1855 | 3.04 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1856 | 3.03 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1857 | 3.01 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1858 | 2.99 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1859 | 2.99 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1860 | 2.98 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.2% |
| 1861 | 2.94 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1862 | 2.92 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.8% |
| 1863 | 2.92 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1864 | 2.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1865 | 2.88 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1866 | 2.85 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1867 | 2.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 1868 | 2.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 1869 | 2.87 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1870 | 2.86 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1871 | 2.84 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1872 | 2.88 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.3% |
| 1873 | 2.88 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1874 | 2.84 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.5% |
| 1875 | 2.82 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1876 | 2.78 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1877 | 2.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1878 | 2.75 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.4% |
| 1879 | 2.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.5% |
| 1880 | 2.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.6% |
| 1881 | 2.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1882 | 2.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.4% |
| 1883 | 2.8 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 1884 | 2.78 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.5% |
| 1885 | 2.75 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1886 | 2.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1887 | 2.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1888 | 2.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.9% |
| 1889 | 2.69 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.0% |
| 1890 | 2.77 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.9% |
| 1891 | 2.78 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.2% |
| 1892 | 2.78 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1893 | 2.75 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.1% |
| 1894 | 2.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.0% |
| 1895 | 2.72 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.0% |
| 1896 | 2.68 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.5% |
| 1897 | 2.67 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1898 | 2.7 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.1% |
| 1899 | 2.78 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.9% |
| 1900 | 2.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.4% |
| 1901 | 2.84 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.8% |
| 1902 | 2.86 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.8% |
| 1903 | 3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.9% |
| 1904 | 2.94 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1905 | 3.04 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.3% |
| 1906 | 3.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.9% |
| 1907 | 3.24 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.7% |
| 1908 | 3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.1% |
| 1909 | 3.11 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.4% |
| 1910 | 3.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.0% |
| 1911 | 3.15 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.5% |
| 1912 | 3.22 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.2% |
| 1913 | 3.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.6% |
| 1914 | 3.13 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.2% |
| 1915 | 3.16 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.9% |
| 1916 | 3.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.3% |
| 1917 | 3.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.0% |
| 1918 | 3.48 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.4% |
| 1919 | 3.16 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -9.3% |
| 1920 | 3.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +7.3% |
| 1921 | 3.03 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -10.4% |
| 1922 | 3.01 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.7% |
| 1923 | 3.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +14.1% |
| 1924 | 3.21 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.6% |
| 1925 | 3.22 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.4% |
| 1926 | 3.33 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.4% |
| 1927 | 3.25 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.5% |
| 1928 | 3.19 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1929 | 3.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.7% |
| 1930 | 3.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -6.5% |
| 1931 | 2.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -8.0% |
| 1932 | 2.61 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.4% |
| 1933 | 2.67 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.5% |
| 1934 | 2.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.3% |
| 1935 | 2.76 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.1% |
| 1936 | 2.93 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +6.0% |
| 1937 | 2.97 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.4% |
| 1938 | 2.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -8.1% |
| 1939 | 2.84 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.9% |
| 1940 | 2.98 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.9% |
| 1941 | 3.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.8% |
| 1942 | 3.26 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.3% |
| 1943 | 3.31 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.7% |
| 1944 | 3.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.9% |
| 1945 | 3.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.8% |
| 1946 | 3.3 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.2% |
| 1947 | 3.48 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +5.3% |
| 1948 | 3.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.0% |
| 1949 | 3.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -7.9% |
| 1950 | 3.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.0% |
| 1951 | 3.41 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.4% |
| 1952 | 3.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1953 | 3.42 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.4% |
| 1954 | 3.36 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 1955 | 3.52 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +4.8% |
| 1956 | 3.62 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.6% |
| 1957 | 3.62 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1958 | 3.6 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1959 | 3.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.8% |
| 1960 | 3.72 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.5% |
| 1961 | 3.71 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1962 | 3.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.2% |
| 1963 | 3.88 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.3% |
| 1964 | 3.96 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.1% |
| 1965 | 4.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.5% |
| 1966 | 4.09 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.9% |
| 1967 | 4.17 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.9% |
| 1968 | 4.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.2% |
| 1969 | 4.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 4.29 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 1971 | 4.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.3% |
| 1972 | 4.29 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 1973 | 4.27 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.6% |
| 1974 | 4.22 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1975 | 4.17 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1976 | 4.1 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.5% |
| 1977 | 4.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1978 | 3.95 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 1979 | 4.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.6% |
| 1980 | 4.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 1981 | 3.97 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.3% |
| 1982 | 3.91 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.6% |
| 1983 | 3.74 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -4.4% |
| 1984 | 3.76 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.5% |
| 1985 | 3.68 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.9% |
| 1986 | 3.6 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.2% |
| 1987 | 3.56 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.1% |
| 1988 | 3.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1989 | 3.52 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.0% |
| 1990 | 3.42 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.8% |
| 1991 | 3.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 1992 | 3.32 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 1993 | 3.28 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.2% |
| 1994 | 3.26 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 3.17 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.9% |
| 1996 | 3.11 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.7% |
| 1997 | 3.07 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 2.98 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.9% |
| 1999 | 2.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 2.84 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.1% |
| 2001 | 2.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 2.64 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.3% |
| 2003 | 2.64 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 2.61 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 2.61 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.0% |
| 2006 | 2.63 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 2.63 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 2.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 2.51 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.7% |
| 2010 | 2.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.1% |
| 2011 | 2.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 2.36 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.9% |
| 2013 | 2.34 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -1.1% |
| 2014 | 2.36 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 2.31 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -2.0% |
| 2016 | 2.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -3.8% |
| 2017 | 2.26 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 2.32 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +2.9% |
| 2019 | 2.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 2.24 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -5.2% |
| 2021 | 2.32 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +3.5% |
| 2022 | 2.35 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 2.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 2.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | -0.7% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 2.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person, 2.3× the median. (67 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 3.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.99 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.04 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1860s | 2.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.85 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.98 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1870s | 2.82 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.75 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.88 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1880s | 2.77 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.69 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1890s | 2.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.78 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1900s | 2.99 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.79 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.24 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1910s | 3.25 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.13 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.48 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1920s | 3.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.01 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1930s | 2.81 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.61 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.06 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1940s | 3.31 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.98 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.55 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1950s | 3.5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.36 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.66 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1960s | 4 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.71 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.16 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.95 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.29 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.73 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.52 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 4.02 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.19 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.9 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 3.42 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.65 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.51 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.84 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.34 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.43 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.33 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.24 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 2.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 27 Argentina 2.5 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 28 Central African Republic 2.46 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 29 Congo 2.39 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 31 Bolivia 2.22 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 32 Palau 2.12 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
- 33 Belarus 2.05 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person compare
More climate change data for United States
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 274,482 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 60,922 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 213,560 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 229.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 7,627 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 107,381 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 89,068 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 18,313 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 336.11 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 654.05 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is per capita methane emissions in United States?
- Per capita methane emissions in United States was 2.37 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest per capita methane emissions recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 4.38 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 1969.
- What is the lowest per capita methane emissions recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.23 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per person in 2016.
- How does United States rank for per capita methane emissions?
- United States ranks 30th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is per capita methane emissions rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025); Population based on various sources (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Per capita 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 per person of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.