CLIMATE
Who emits the most CO2 per person?
The average person in Qatar is linked to 47 tonnes of CO2 a year, ten times the world average. Per-person emissions tell a very different story from national totals.
The short answer
In 2024, Qatar had the highest CO2 emissions per person (47.3 tonnes), followed by Bahrain (23.9), Kuwait (23.7), Trinidad and Tobago (19.6) and Oman (18.7), according to World Bank data. The world average was 4.7 tonnes.
The full top 10
| Rank | Country / economy | CO2 per person (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar | 47.3 |
| 2 | Bahrain | 23.9 |
| 3 | Kuwait | 23.7 |
| 4 | Trinidad & Tobago | 19.6 |
| 5 | Oman | 18.7 |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | 18.5 |
| 7 | UAE | 18.3 |
| 8 | Australia | 14.1 |
| 9 | Canada | 14.0 |
| 10 | Russia | 14.0 |
Why small Gulf states lead
Economies built on oil and gas extraction, energy-intensive industry and year-round air conditioning, combined with small populations, produce very high emissions per resident. Their total emissions are modest next to large economies.
Large economies
Among big economies, Australia (14.1), Canada (14.0) and Russia (14.0) are in the top ten. The United States emits 13.6 tonnes per person, South Korea 11.4 (13th) and China 9.3. China is by far the largest emitter in total, but its per-person figure is lower than many richer countries.
The lowest emitters
In Niger, Burundi, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, emissions are around 0.1 tonnes per person, hundreds of times less than the top of the list.
How we made this
Data: World Bank, World Development Indicators (indicator EN.GHG.CO2.PC.CE.AR5): CO2 emissions excluding land use, land-use change and forestry, per person, 2024. Economies with at least one million people.
Frequently asked questions
Which country emits the most CO2 in total?
China emits the most in total, but per person it ranks below many richer countries.
What is the world average per person?
About 4.7 tonnes of CO2 per person (2024).