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France vs Spain CO2 per capita
Spain overtook France in 1995. In 1970 France stood at roughly 214% of Spain’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 89%, and the pair was closest in 1995 (100%).
| Year | France | Spain | Spain as % of France |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 4.22 | 9.02 | 214% |
| 1970 | 4.22 | 9.02 | 214% |
| 1980 | 5.68 | 9.17 | 161% |
| 1990 | 5.9 | 6.61 | 112% |
| 2000 | 7.65 | 6.58 | 86% |
| 2010 | 6.18 | 5.8 | 94% |
| 2020 | 4.53 | 4.25 | 94% |
| 2024 | 4.51 | 4 | 89% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Spain pass France in CO2 per capita?
In 1995. Spain’s published CO2 per capita rose above France’s that year and the lead has held since.
How do France and Spain compare today?
Spain is ahead: 4.51 against 4 — the trailing economy stands at about 89% 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: