Share of CO₂ emissions embedded in trade in South Africa
South Africa: Share of CO₂ emissions embedded in trade was -25.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share of CO₂ emissions embedded in trade in South Africa, 1990–2023
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade in South Africa stood at -25.5%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.1% on the previous year and down 17.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade in South Africa peaked at 0.0% in 1992 and was at its lowest, -32.0%, in 2003.
South Africa ranks 113th of 120 countries on this measure, in the bottom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.0% | -0.0% | 0.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | -27.7% | -32.0% | -24.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | -23.2% | -25.5% | -21.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | -24.9% | -25.8% | -23.0% | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 110 India -17.0% compare
- 111 Mongolia -17.2% compare
- 112 Russian Federation -18.9% compare
- 114 Kazakhstan -25.7% compare
- 115 Viet Nam -28.7% compare
- 116 Brunei Darussalam -29.0% compare
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 share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade in South Africa?
- Share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade in South Africa was -25.5% in 2023, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.0% in 1992.
- What is the lowest share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -32.0% in 2003.
- How does South Africa rank for share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade?
- South Africa ranks 113th out of 120 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of co₂ emissions embedded in trade rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.1%. 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) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of CO₂ emissions embedded in trade. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 34 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual net carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions embedded in trade, measured as a percentage of emissions of CO₂.