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Germany vs Saudi Arabia CO2 per capita
Saudi Arabia has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1970 Germany stood at roughly 95% of Saudi Arabia’s CO2 per capita; today the figure is about 38%.
| Year | Germany | Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia as % of Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 14.6 | 13.87 | 95% |
| 1970 | 14.6 | 13.87 | 95% |
| 1980 | 31.87 | 14.5 | 46% |
| 1990 | 16.34 | 12.75 | 78% |
| 2000 | 16.4 | 10.6 | 65% |
| 2010 | 20.3 | 9.97 | 49% |
| 2020 | 18.29 | 7.72 | 42% |
| 2024 | 18.48 | 6.94 | 38% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Saudi Arabia pass Germany 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 Germany and Saudi Arabia compare today?
Saudi Arabia is ahead: 18.48 against 6.94 — the trailing economy stands at about 38% 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: