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China vs Japan CO2 per capita
China overtook Japan in 2020. In 1970 Japan stood at roughly 737% of China’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 84%, and the pair was closest in 2020 (99%).
| Year | China | Japan | Japan as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1.11 | 8.21 | 737% |
| 1970 | 1.11 | 8.21 | 737% |
| 1980 | 1.59 | 8.59 | 539% |
| 1990 | 2.13 | 9.41 | 443% |
| 2000 | 2.89 | 9.8 | 339% |
| 2010 | 6.81 | 9.5 | 140% |
| 2020 | 8.48 | 8.4 | 99% |
| 2024 | 9.32 | 7.84 | 84% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass Japan in CO2 per capita?
In 2020. China’s published CO2 per capita rose above Japan’s that year and the lead has held since.
How do China and Japan compare today?
China is ahead: 9.32 against 7.84 — the trailing economy stands at about 84% 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: