Carbon Emissions by Country 2026 are led by China at 13,124.7 million tonnes of fossil CO₂ in 2024, about 33.1% of the world’s 39,632.7 million tonnes, followed by the United States (4,632.2 Mt) and India (3,153.8 Mt). Qatar has the highest emissions per person at 41.3 tonnes against a world average of 4.7 tonnes, and the Global Carbon Project projects a record 38.1 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂ for 2025.
Carbon Emissions by Country 2026 – Introduction
Carbon Emissions by Country are concentrated in a handful of economies. In the European Commission’s EDGAR database, the top three emitters, China, the United States and India, produced 52.8% of the world’s fossil CO₂ in 2024, and the top ten produced 69.0%. The Global Carbon Project’s November 2025 budget projects fossil CO₂ will reach a record 38.1 billion tonnes in 2025, up 1.1%. EDGAR’s 2026 report, which adds 2025 data, shows the United States up 2.2% in greenhouse gases and China nearly flat.
This report ranks countries three ways: by total emissions, by emissions per person and by change in 2025. The country tables use the EDGAR and Joint Research Centre fossil CO₂ estimates for 2024, the latest complete country-by-country set in the 2025 release. Per-capita figures come from the Global Carbon Budget via Our World in Data. Datasets differ by method, so the world total ranges from 38.1 to about 40.0 billion tonnes, and each table names its source. Figures are current as of October 28, 2026.
Interesting Facts About Carbon Emissions by Country 2026
SHARE OF WORLD FOSSIL CO2, 2024 (1 block = 1 percentage point)
China | █████████████████████████████████ 33.1%
United States | ████████████ 11.7%
India | ████████ 8.0%
Russia | █████ 5.1%
Japan | ██ 2.5%
All others | ████████████████████████████████████████ 39.7%
| Fact | 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| World fossil CO₂, 2024 (EDGAR/JRC) | 39,632.7 million tonnes |
| World fossil CO₂, 2025 projection (Global Carbon Project) | 38.1 billion tonnes (+1.1%) |
| Largest emitter, 2024 | China, 13,124.7 Mt (33.1%) |
| Second and third largest, 2024 | United States 4,632.2 Mt; India 3,153.8 Mt |
| Share of top 3 countries | 52.8% |
| Share of top 10 countries | 69.0% |
| Highest emissions per person, 2024 | Qatar, 41.3 tonnes |
| World average emissions per person, 2024 | 4.7 tonnes |
| Remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C (January 2026) | 170 billion tonnes |
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, EDGAR_2025_GHG (fossil CO₂, 2024); Global Carbon Project, Global Carbon Budget 2025 (November 2025); Our World in Data; shares calculated from EDGAR/JRC values.
The table shows emissions that are high and concentrated. China alone emitted 13,124.7 Mt, or 33.1% of the world total, which is more than the United States, India and Russia combined. The top three produced 52.8% and the top ten 69.0%. The Global Carbon Project’s 38.1 billion tonne figure for 2025 is lower than EDGAR’s 39,632.7 Mt for 2024 because it uses a different method, including a credit for CO₂ that cement absorbs as it ages.
Per-person figures flip the ranking. Qatar emits 41.3 tonnes per person, nearly nine times the 4.7 tonne world average, while India emits about 2.2. The remaining carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5°C was 170 billion tonnes in January 2026, about four years at current rates.
Global CO₂ Emissions 2026: Record 2025 Projection and Country Growth Rates
PROJECTED CHANGE IN FOSSIL CO2, 2025 VS 2024, GCP (1 block = 0.2 percentage points)
United States | ██████████ +1.9%
India | ██████ +1.1%
China | ██ +0.4%
European Union | ██ +0.4%
Japan | -███████████ -2.2%
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| World fossil CO₂, 2025 projection | 38.1 billion tonnes (+1.1%) |
| World CO₂ including land use, 2025 projection | 42.2 billion tonnes (about flat) |
| Land-use CO₂, 2025 projection | 4.1 billion tonnes (-9.8%) |
| Projected 2025 change, United States | +1.9% |
| Projected 2025 change, India | +1.1% |
| Projected 2025 change, China | +0.4% |
| Projected 2025 change, European Union | +0.4% |
| Projected 2025 change, Japan | -2.2% |
| Average annual growth in fossil CO₂ over the last decade | 0.8% |
| Average annual growth during the 2000s | About 3% |
| Remaining carbon budget, 1.5°C / 1.7°C / 2°C | 170 / 525 / 1,055 billion tonnes |
Source: Global Carbon Project, Global Carbon Budget 2025 (November 2025; remaining budget as of January 2026), via Carbon Brief and globalcarbonbudget.org.
The Global Carbon Project projects fossil CO₂ will reach a record 38.1 billion tonnes in 2025, up 1.1%. Total CO₂ including land use is about flat at 42.2 billion tonnes, because land-use emissions fell 9.8% to 4.1 billion. Growth has slowed. Fossil emissions grew about 3% a year in the 2000s and 0.8% a year over the last decade, as China’s growth fell from 6.7% (2005-2014) to about 2.5%.
Country trends diverge. The United States is projected up 1.9%, India 1.1%, China 0.4% and the EU 0.4%, while Japan is down 2.2%. The remaining budgets are 170, 525 and 1,055 billion tonnes for 1.5°C, 1.7°C and 2°C.
Top 50 Countries by Carbon Emissions 2026: Ranks 1 to 25
FOSSIL CO2 BY COUNTRY, 2024, RANKS 1-25 (1 block = 250 million tonnes)
China | ████████████████████████████████████████████████████ 13,124.7
United States | ███████████████████ 4,632.2
India | █████████████ 3,153.8
Russia | ████████ 2,009.2
Japan | ████ 972.3
Iran | ███ 829.0
Indonesia | ███ 812.2
Saudi Arabia | ███ 652.5
South Korea | ██ 588.0
Germany | ██ 579.9
Canada | ██ 578.0
Brazil | ██ 491.5
Mexico | ██ 476.0
Türkiye | ██ 460.0
South Africa | ██ 440.2
Viet Nam | ██ 430.8
Australia | ██ 383.4
Italy* | █ 299.2
Malaysia | █ 296.0
United Kingdom | █ 292.4
Egypt | █ 291.6
Thailand | █ 283.8
Taiwan | █ 280.5
Poland | █ 276.1
France* | █ 274.5
| Rank | Country | Fossil CO₂, 2024 (Mt) | Share of World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 13,124.7 | 33.1% |
| 2 | United States | 4,632.2 | 11.7% |
| 3 | India | 3,153.8 | 8.0% |
| 4 | Russia | 2,009.2 | 5.1% |
| 5 | Japan | 972.3 | 2.5% |
| 6 | Iran | 829.0 | 2.1% |
| 7 | Indonesia | 812.2 | 2.0% |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | 652.5 | 1.6% |
| 9 | South Korea | 588.0 | 1.5% |
| 10 | Germany | 579.9 | 1.5% |
| 11 | Canada | 578.0 | 1.5% |
| 12 | Brazil | 491.5 | 1.2% |
| 13 | Mexico | 476.0 | 1.2% |
| 14 | Türkiye | 460.0 | 1.2% |
| 15 | South Africa | 440.2 | 1.1% |
| 16 | Viet Nam | 430.8 | 1.1% |
| 17 | Australia | 383.4 | 0.97% |
| 18 | Italy* | 299.2 | 0.75% |
| 19 | Malaysia | 296.0 | 0.75% |
| 20 | United Kingdom | 292.4 | 0.74% |
| 21 | Egypt | 291.6 | 0.74% |
| 22 | Thailand | 283.8 | 0.72% |
| 23 | Taiwan | 280.5 | 0.71% |
| 24 | Poland | 276.1 | 0.70% |
| 25 | France* | 274.5 | 0.69% |
*Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, EDGAR_2025_GHG, fossil CO₂ (IEA-EDGAR CO₂), 2024 values as compiled by StatRanker (June 2026); shares calculated against the EDGAR/JRC global total of 39,632.7 Mt. Country rows combined with small neighbors in EDGAR: Italy with San Marino and the Holy See, France with Monaco.
The top 25 countries emitted about 83.0% of the world’s fossil CO₂ in 2024. China leads with 13,124.7 Mt, or 33.1%, followed by the United States at 4,632.2 Mt (11.7%), India at 3,153.8 Mt (8.0%) and Russia at 2,009.2 Mt (5.1%). Japan ranks fifth with 972.3 Mt (2.5%), then Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Germany, each about 1.5% to 2.1%.
The list mixes very different economies. Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Türkiye and South Africa each emit between 440 and 580 Mt. Viet Nam emits 430.8 Mt, Australia 383.4 Mt and Malaysia 296.0 Mt, while the United Kingdom (292.4 Mt) and Egypt (291.6 Mt) each hold 0.7%.
Top 50 Countries by Carbon Emissions 2026: Ranks 26 to 50
FOSSIL CO2 BY COUNTRY, 2024, RANKS 26-50 (1 block = 10 million tonnes)
Kazakhstan | ██████████████████████████ 258.8
Iraq | ████████████████████████ 238.7
Spain* | ██████████████████████ 220.1
Pakistan | ████████████████████ 204.0
United Arab Emirates | ████████████████████ 200.6
Algeria | ███████████████████ 186.4
Argentina | ██████████████████ 183.3
Philippines | █████████████████ 174.1
Uzbekistan | ███████████████ 148.5
Qatar | ██████████████ 135.3
Nigeria | █████████████ 131.9
Bangladesh | ████████████ 124.2
Netherlands | ████████████ 118.8
Ukraine | ████████████ 118.5
Kuwait | ████████████ 115.9
Oman | ██████████ 98.5
Venezuela | ██████████ 96.4
Colombia | ██████████ 95.1
Belgium | █████████ 86.6
Turkmenistan | ████████ 81.4
Chile | ████████ 77.8
Czechia | ████████ 77.7
Romania | ███████ 70.9
Morocco | ███████ 70.0
Peru | ███████ 69.3
| Rank | Country | Fossil CO₂, 2024 (Mt) | Share of World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Kazakhstan | 258.8 | 0.65% |
| 27 | Iraq | 238.7 | 0.60% |
| 28 | Spain* | 220.1 | 0.56% |
| 29 | Pakistan | 204.0 | 0.51% |
| 30 | United Arab Emirates | 200.6 | 0.51% |
| 31 | Algeria | 186.4 | 0.47% |
| 32 | Argentina | 183.3 | 0.46% |
| 33 | Philippines | 174.1 | 0.44% |
| 34 | Uzbekistan | 148.5 | 0.37% |
| 35 | Qatar | 135.3 | 0.34% |
| 36 | Nigeria | 131.9 | 0.33% |
| 37 | Bangladesh | 124.2 | 0.31% |
| 38 | Netherlands | 118.8 | 0.30% |
| 39 | Ukraine | 118.5 | 0.30% |
| 40 | Kuwait | 115.9 | 0.29% |
| 41 | Oman | 98.5 | 0.25% |
| 42 | Venezuela | 96.4 | 0.24% |
| 43 | Colombia | 95.1 | 0.24% |
| 44 | Belgium | 86.6 | 0.22% |
| 45 | Turkmenistan | 81.4 | 0.21% |
| 46 | Chile | 77.8 | 0.20% |
| 47 | Czechia | 77.7 | 0.20% |
| 48 | Romania | 70.9 | 0.18% |
| 49 | Morocco | 70.0 | 0.18% |
| 50 | Peru | 69.3 | 0.17% |
*Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, EDGAR_2025_GHG, fossil CO₂, 2024 values as compiled by StatRanker (June 2026); shares calculated against 39,632.7 Mt. Spain is combined with Andorra in the source row.
Countries ranked 26 to 50 emitted about 8.5% of the world total, so the top 50 together account for 91.6%. Kazakhstan leads this group at 258.8 Mt (0.65%), followed by Iraq (238.7 Mt), Spain (220.1 Mt), Pakistan (204.0 Mt) and the United Arab Emirates (200.6 Mt). Qatar (135.3 Mt) and Kuwait (115.9 Mt) rank 35th and 40th by total but first and second per person.
Many mid-ranked countries are fast growing or fuel producing. Nigeria emits 131.9 Mt, Bangladesh 124.2 Mt and the Philippines 174.1 Mt, all with large and growing populations. European countries such as Poland (276.1 Mt), the Netherlands (118.8 Mt) and Belgium (86.6 Mt) reflect heavy industry. The final spots are held by Peru (69.3 Mt), Morocco (70.0 Mt) and Romania (70.9 Mt), each at about 0.18%.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita by Country 2026: Highest and Lowest Per Person
CO2 PER PERSON, 2024, COUNTRIES WITH 1 MILLION PEOPLE OR MORE (1 block = 1 tonne)
Qatar | █████████████████████████████████████████ 41.3
Kuwait | ██████████████████████████ 26.2
Bahrain | ████████████████████████ 24.3
Trinidad and Tobago | ███████████████████████ 22.9
Saudi Arabia | ████████████████████ 20.4
United Arab Emirates | ████████████████████ 20.1
Oman | ████████████████ 15.7
Australia | ███████████████ 14.5
United States | ██████████████ 14.2
Kazakhstan | ██████████████ 13.9
Canada | █████████████ 13.4
Russia | ████████████ 12.3
China | █████████ 8.7
Japan | ████████ 7.8
India | ██ 2.2
| Rank | Country | CO₂ per Person, 2024 (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatar | 41.3 |
| 2 | Kuwait | 26.2 |
| 3 | Bahrain | 24.3 |
| 4 | Trinidad and Tobago | 22.9 |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 20.4 |
| 6 | United Arab Emirates | 20.1 |
| 7 | Oman | 15.7 |
| 8 | Australia | 14.5 |
| 9 | United States | 14.2 |
| 10 | Kazakhstan | 13.9 |
| – | Canada | 13.4 |
| – | Russia | 12.3 |
| – | China | 8.7 |
| – | Japan | 7.8 |
| – | India | 2.2 |
| – | World average | 4.7 |
Source: Global Carbon Project, Global Carbon Budget 2025, via Our World in Data and Coffset (2024 data; countries with at least one million people).
The highest per-person emitters are oil and gas producers. Qatar emits 41.3 tonnes per person, almost nine times the world average of 4.7 tonnes, followed by Kuwait at 26.2 and Bahrain at 24.3. Trinidad and Tobago (22.9), Saudi Arabia (20.4) and the United Arab Emirates (20.1) complete the six countries above 20 tonnes. Brunei, with fewer than one million people, would rank near the top at about 26 tonnes.
Large economies sit in the middle. Australia emits 14.5 tonnes per person, the United States 14.2, Canada 13.4 and Russia 12.3. China emits 8.7 tonnes per person, which is 1.9 times the world average and 61% of the US figure. India emits 2.2, less than half the world average. Other datasets report different values for the same year, for example 45.3 tonnes for Qatar in Worldometer.
Carbon Emissions Growth by Country 2026: EDGAR 2025 Changes
CHANGE IN FOSSIL CO2, 2025 VS 2024, EDGAR 2026 REPORT (1 block = 0.25 percentage points)
Türkiye | ████████████████████ +4.9%
Indonesia | ██████████████ +3.4%
United States | █████████ +2.3%
Russia | -█ -0.3%
China | -██ -0.5%
India | -█████ -1.3%
Japan | -██████ -1.5%
| Country | Fossil CO₂ Change, 2025 vs 2024 | Other 2025 Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Türkiye | +4.9% | – |
| Indonesia | +3.4% | GHG +1.2% (+16.1 Mt CO₂eq) |
| United States | +2.3% | 4,739 Mt; 13.8 t per person; GHG +2.2% (+131.5 Mt CO₂eq) |
| Russia | -0.3% | 2,010 Mt; 14.1 t per person |
| China | -0.5% | About 13.1 billion tonnes; GHG +0.1% (+9.6 Mt CO₂eq) |
| India | -1.3% | 3,210 Mt; 2.2 t per person |
| Japan | -1.5% | 977 Mt; 7.9 t per person |
| World total, fossil CO₂ (EDGAR) | – | About 40.0 billion tonnes |
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, EDGAR, GHG emissions of all world countries, 2026 Report (2025 data), and EDGAR fossil CO₂ figures summarized by Economic Activity (October 2026).
EDGAR’s 2026 report shows the United States recorded the largest absolute rise among major emitters, 131.5 Mt of CO₂-equivalent, or 2.2%, in total greenhouse gases. Fossil CO₂ rose 2.3% to about 4,739 Mt. Indonesia rose 3.4% and Türkiye 4.9%. China’s fossil CO₂ fell 0.5% to about 13.1 billion tonnes, though its total greenhouse gases rose 0.1% because other gases offset the drop.
India fell 1.3% to 3,210 Mt, Japan 1.5% to 977 Mt and Russia 0.3% to 2,010 Mt. China, the United States, India, the EU, Russia and Indonesia together account for 50.1% of world population, 62.3% of GDP, 63% of fossil fuel use and 62% of greenhouse gas emissions. Global fossil CO₂ is 76.3% above 1990.
Cumulative Carbon Emissions by Country 2026: Historical Responsibility Since 1850
SHARE OF CUMULATIVE FOSSIL CO2, 1850-2024 (1 block = 1 percentage point)
United States | ████████████████████████ 24%
European Union | ████████████████ 16%
China | ███████████████ 15%
Russia | ███████ 6.6%
United Kingdom | ████ 4.3%
India | ████ 4%
| Country or Bloc | Share of Cumulative Fossil CO₂, 1850-2024 | Share of 2024 Annual Emissions |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 24% | 11.7% |
| European Union | 16% | Not in sources reviewed |
| China | 15% | 33.1% |
| Russia | 6.6% | 5.1% |
| United Kingdom | 4.3% | 0.7% |
| India | 4% | 8.0% |
Source: Global Carbon Project, Global Carbon Budget 2025 (cumulative shares 1850-2024); Coffset (2026) for Russia and the United Kingdom; EDGAR/JRC for 2024 annual shares; EU share approximate.
The United States has emitted about 24% of all fossil CO₂ since 1850, the EU 16% and China 15%. India accounts for 4% of cumulative emissions but 8.0% of annual emissions, and its per-person rate is 2.2 tonnes. China’s 15% cumulative share is less than half its 33.1% annual share.
Responsibility depends on the metric. Consumption-based measures add the carbon in imported goods. For the United States, production emissions are 14.3 tonnes per person but consumption emissions are 15.8, while China’s consumption figure is 7.6 against 8.6 produced.
Carbon Emissions by Country FAQ 2026
Which country emits the most CO₂ in 2026?
China, with 13,124.7 Mt of fossil CO₂ in 2024, or 33.1% of the world total, according to EDGAR and the Joint Research Centre.
Which countries are the top 10 CO₂ emitters?
China, the United States, India, Russia, Japan, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Germany, which together emit 69.0% of the world’s fossil CO₂.
How much CO₂ does the world emit in 2026?
The Global Carbon Project projects 38.1 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂ for 2025, a record. EDGAR’s total is about 39.6 to 40.0 billion tonnes, because methods differ.
Which country has the highest CO₂ emissions per person?
Qatar, at 41.3 tonnes per person in 2024, followed by Kuwait (26.2) and Bahrain (24.3), among countries with at least one million people.
How much CO₂ does the United States emit?
About 4,632 Mt in 2024 (11.7% of the world) and about 4,739 Mt in 2025, up 2.3%, according to EDGAR. That is 14.2 tonnes per person.
How much CO₂ does India emit?
3,153.8 Mt in 2024, or 8.0% of the world total, and about 3,210 Mt in 2025. Per person, India emits about 2.2 tonnes.
Which countries emit the most CO₂ historically?
The United States (24% since 1850), the European Union (16%) and China (15%), according to the Global Carbon Project.
How many tonnes of CO₂ can we still emit for 1.5°C?
170 billion tonnes as of January 2026, about four years at current emissions of roughly 42 billion tonnes a year.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
