Home / Comparisons / France vs Italy CO2 per capita
France vs Italy CO2 per capita
Italy overtook France in 1986. In 1970 France stood at roughly 154% of Italy’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 79%, and the pair was closest in 1986 (100%).
| Year | France | Italy | Italy as % of France |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 5.85 | 9.02 | 154% |
| 1970 | 5.85 | 9.02 | 154% |
| 1980 | 7.05 | 9.17 | 130% |
| 1990 | 7.51 | 6.61 | 88% |
| 2000 | 7.98 | 6.58 | 82% |
| 2010 | 7.08 | 5.8 | 82% |
| 2020 | 4.97 | 4.25 | 86% |
| 2024 | 5.08 | 4 | 79% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Italy pass France in CO2 per capita?
In 1986. Italy’s published CO2 per capita rose above France’s that year and the lead has held since.
How do France and Italy compare today?
Italy is ahead: 5.08 against 4 — the trailing economy stands at about 79% 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: