China vs Saudi Arabia CO2 per capita

Saudi Arabia has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1970 China stood at roughly 8% of Saudi Arabia’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 50%.

Frequently asked questions

When did Saudi Arabia pass China in CO2 per capita?

It has not come to that. Saudi Arabia has posted the larger CO2 per capita in every published year (1970–2024).

How do China and Saudi Arabia compare today?

Saudi Arabia is ahead: 18.48 against 9.32 — the trailing economy stands at about 50% 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:

• China — CO2 per capita
• Saudi Arabia — CO2 per capita
• All countries ranked by CO2 per capita
• Interactive comparison tool