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China vs Spain CO2 per capita
China overtook Spain in 2010. In 1970 Spain stood at roughly 379% of China’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 48%, and the pair was closest in 2009 (104%).
| Year | China | Spain | Spain as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1.11 | 4.22 | 379% |
| 1970 | 1.11 | 4.22 | 379% |
| 1980 | 1.59 | 5.68 | 356% |
| 1990 | 2.13 | 5.9 | 278% |
| 2000 | 2.89 | 7.65 | 265% |
| 2010 | 6.81 | 6.18 | 91% |
| 2020 | 8.48 | 4.53 | 53% |
| 2024 | 9.32 | 4.51 | 48% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass Spain in CO2 per capita?
In 2010. China’s published CO2 per capita rose above Spain’s that year and the lead has held since.
How do China and Spain compare today?
China is ahead: 9.32 against 4.51 — the trailing economy stands at about 48% 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: