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China vs France CO2 per capita
China overtook France in 2009. In 1970 France stood at roughly 810% of China’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 43%, and the pair was closest in 2008 (102%).
| Year | China | France | France as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1.11 | 9.02 | 810% |
| 1970 | 1.11 | 9.02 | 810% |
| 1980 | 1.59 | 9.17 | 575% |
| 1990 | 2.13 | 6.61 | 311% |
| 2000 | 2.89 | 6.58 | 228% |
| 2010 | 6.81 | 5.8 | 85% |
| 2020 | 8.48 | 4.25 | 50% |
| 2024 | 9.32 | 4 | 43% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass France in CO2 per capita?
In 2009. China’s published CO2 per capita rose above France’s that year and the lead has held since.
How do China and France compare today?
China is ahead: 9.32 against 4 — the trailing economy stands at about 43% of the leader.
Are these CO2 per capita figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — metric tons per capita — with no interpolation or estimation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: